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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 31-June 1, 2025
Lloydminster, SK
Over 90 juniors battle the winds as MJT Zeal Series blows through Lloydminster
The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s premier junior golf tour since 1999, brought a stop on the national MJT ZEAL Series to Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre in Lloydminster, SK, on May 31 - June 1. As one of six premier national events in the MJT ZEAL Series, the tournament showcased top talent and fierce competition, with division winners earning exclusive ZEAL Optics prizes and valuable qualifying points toward upcoming national championships. Over 90 young athletes teed it up in high temperatures and high winds, which made hot scoring a definite challenge.
Low Overall Honours were claimed by Dade Bernatchez, 18, of Sucker River, SK, in MJT Junior Boys (80-78=158) and Tayla Perry, 16, of Regina, SK, in MJT Girls 15-19 (82-76=158). Other standout performances led to division wins for Kai Kriekle, 16, from Regina, SK, in MJT Juvenile Boys (82-81=163), Youran (Yoyo) Zhu, 14, from Saskatoon, SK, in MJT Girls U15 (82-92=174), Austin Nesbitt, 13, from Pilot Butte, SK, in MJT Bantam Boys (75-79=154), and Hudson Deibert, 10, from Regina, SK, in MJT Bantam Boys (82-84=166).
Top finisher scores, quotes from the division winners, and the list of qualified and short-listed players can be found below. Results from the Bomber Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here.
Up next in the province is the MJT Ford Series, taking place at Tor Hill Golf Course in Regina on June 28-29, where juniors also have the chance to win a new Ford vehicle with a hole-in-one. To register or for more information on the MJT and upcoming events, please visit www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers by Division
MJT Junior Boys: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 6541, Slope/Rating 133/71.5
1. Dade Bernatchez (18), Sucker River, SK | 80, 78 (158)
2. Aiden Walker (17), Regina, SK | 83, 77 (160)
3. Graydon Vogelsang (16), Saskatoon, SK | 78, 83 (161)
Dade Bernatchez, 18, of Sucker River, SK, came out on top in the MJT Junior Boys division with rounds of 80 and 78 (158). “I feel pretty awesome, I haven’t won in years, so I’m very proud of myself for not giving up,” said Bernatchez. “I enjoy these big events, and it was a tough course. It was fun.”
Dade Bernatchez, 18, of Sucker River, SK, came out on top in the MJT Junior Boys division with rounds of 80 and 78 (158). “I feel pretty awesome, I haven’t won in years, so I’m very proud of myself for not giving up,” said Bernatchez. “I enjoy these big events, and it was a tough course. It was fun.”
MJT Girls 15-19: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 5690, Slope/Rating 128/73.2
1. Tayla Perry (16), Regina, SK | 82, 76 (158)
1. Tayla Perry (16), Regina, SK | 82, 76 (158)
2. Sarah Henderson (17), Saskatoon, SK | 84, 77 (161)
3. Chloe Wills (17), Kyle, SK | 81, 85 (166)
Regina’s Tayla Perry, 16, fired four birdies and bounced back from an 82 with a stellar 76 in round two to win the low overall girls score and claim her second MJT Girls 15-19 title of the season. “It feels very rewarding as the conditions were very tough,” said Perry. “I’ve been working really hard on my game, so it feels nice to get a win.” Her dream playing partner? “Nelly Korda—she’s an amazing golfer, and I’d love to get some tips from her.”
Regina’s Tayla Perry, 16, fired four birdies and bounced back from an 82 with a stellar 76 in round two to win the low overall girls score and claim her second MJT Girls 15-19 title of the season. “It feels very rewarding as the conditions were very tough,” said Perry. “I’ve been working really hard on my game, so it feels nice to get a win.” Her dream playing partner? “Nelly Korda—she’s an amazing golfer, and I’d love to get some tips from her.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 6541, Slope/Rating 133/71.5
1. Kai Kriekle (16), Regina, SK | 82, 81 (163)
2. Cohen Hepburn (14), Saskatoon, SK | 81, 83 (164)
3. Finn Silver (16), North Battleford, SK | 78, 86 (164)
In the MJT Juvenile Boys division, 16-year-old Kai Kriekle of Regina, SK, edged out the field by one stroke with rounds of 82 and 81 (163), highlighted by three birdies and an eagle. “It feels good to get it done,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t the best in the hard conditions, I did have some good holes.” He also praised the event: “Good job by Jeff and his crew.”
In the MJT Juvenile Boys division, 16-year-old Kai Kriekle of Regina, SK, edged out the field by one stroke with rounds of 82 and 81 (163), highlighted by three birdies and an eagle. “It feels good to get it done,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t the best in the hard conditions, I did have some good holes.” He also praised the event: “Good job by Jeff and his crew.”
MJT Girls U15: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 6590, Slope/Rating 128/73.2
1. Youran (Yoyo) Zhu (14), Saskatoon, SK | 82, 92 (174)
2. Natalie Maunula (13), North Battleford, SK | 91, 104 (195)
3. Callie Glover (12), Foam Lake, SK | 116, 115 (231)
Saskatoon’s Youran ‘Yoyo’ Zhu, age 14, surged ahead early in the MJT Girls U15 division with an opening round 82 and never looked back, finishing with a total score of 174 to earn her second MJT win of the season. “It feels good! I’m really happy and I did my best,” said Zhu. Her verdict on the experience? “10/10! I love MJT events!”
Saskatoon’s Youran ‘Yoyo’ Zhu, age 14, surged ahead early in the MJT Girls U15 division with an opening round 82 and never looked back, finishing with a total score of 174 to earn her second MJT win of the season. “It feels good! I’m really happy and I did my best,” said Zhu. Her verdict on the experience? “10/10! I love MJT events!”
MJT Bantam Boys: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 5915, Slope/Rating 122/69.0
1. Austin Nesbitt (13), Pilot Butte, SK | 75, 79 (154)
2. Cooper Roberge (13), Lloydminster, AB | 83, 81 (164)
2. Ryker Schmidt (14), Lumsden, SK | 82, 82 (164)
Thirteen-year-old Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte, SK, delivered a dominant performance in the MJT Bantam Boys division, carding 75 and 79 (154) for a commanding 10-stroke victory and his second MJT title this season. “I found that hitting fairways the first day kept me in it,” he said. “I’m also happy that I stayed calm the second day after a bad start.” His dream pairing? “Bryson DeChambeau—it would be amazing to have a front row seat to someone swinging that hard.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 5690, Slope/Rating 117/67.5
Thirteen-year-old Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte, SK, delivered a dominant performance in the MJT Bantam Boys division, carding 75 and 79 (154) for a commanding 10-stroke victory and his second MJT title this season. “I found that hitting fairways the first day kept me in it,” he said. “I’m also happy that I stayed calm the second day after a bad start.” His dream pairing? “Bryson DeChambeau—it would be amazing to have a front row seat to someone swinging that hard.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Lloydminster G&CC: Par 72, Ydg 5690, Slope/Rating 117/67.5
1. Hudson Deibert (10), Regina, SK | 82, 84 (166)
2. Cohen Bridge (11), Corman Park, SK | 84, 87 (171)
3. Caleb O'Brien (11), Melville, SK | 86, 93 (179)
At just 10 years old, Hudson Deibert of Regina, SK, showed impressive poise in the MJT Peewee Boys division, shooting 82 and 84 (166) to take the win. “It was good to win a Junior tournament,” said Deibert, who would love to play alongside Rory McIlroy ‘because he is second in the world and he is a great golfer.’
Qualified and Shortlisted Players:
At just 10 years old, Hudson Deibert of Regina, SK, showed impressive poise in the MJT Peewee Boys division, shooting 82 and 84 (166) to take the win. “It was good to win a Junior tournament,” said Deibert, who would love to play alongside Rory McIlroy ‘because he is second in the world and he is a great golfer.’
Qualified and Shortlisted Players:
East Coast Junior Championship
Boys: Cohen Bridge, Cooper Roberge, Kai Kriekle, Dade Bernatchez
Girls: Natalie Maunula, Sarah Henderson
MJT National Tour Challenge
Boys: Cooper Roberge, Kai Kriekle, Dade Bernatchez
Girls: Natalie Maunula, Sarah Henderson
About ZEAL Optics: At ZEAL, we build the highest quality eyewear for people like us who live for outdoor adventure. But that is just the beginning of our adventure. We focus on more than just being an eyewear company. We are guided by a simple set of beliefs: Use Less, Give Back, Explore More. Learn more here.
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s #1 Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is supported by partners across various tiers, including Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The MJT hosts more than 100 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to the provincial, national, university and professional levels.
Media Contact: Jessica Parker, marketing@maplejt.com
Marketing Manager, MJT
Marketing Manager, MJT