Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s most competitive and number one-played junior circuit, brought the energy to Regina, SK, for a memorable weekend at Tor Hill Golf Course on June 28-29. Nearly 150 juniors participated in either a free junior clinic sponsored by Bennett Dunlop Ford where kids aged five to twelve were introduced to the game, or in a two-day tournament for 19U golfers. Players in the Ford Series tournament were competing for titles in six divisions, the chance to win a new Ford Escape with a hole-in-one, and the opportunity to be short-listed in some of the MJT’s most sought-after international and national events; the East Coast Junior Championship, JNJG International Junior Classic (Australia), MJT National Tour Challenge, and the Sergio Garcia Junior Championship. 

 

More than just a tournament, the weekend was a testament to the strength of the MJT community. Athletes, families, and staff rallied around one of their own, Hallie Crozier, through the #HallieStrong and #MJTRallyForHallie campaign, reminding everyone that while the MJT is about competition, it’s also about compassion, connection, and standing strong together.

Twelve-year-old Jun Lee of Regina, SK, clinched the MJT Bantam Boys title in dramatic fashion at Tor Hill Golf Course, edging out 14-year-old Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte, SK, in a playoff after both players finished tied at 144 after two rounds. Lee sealed the victory with a tap-in birdie on the first extra hole.

Despite tough wind and rain in round two, Low Overall Honours were claimed in style by Parker Riou, 18, of Strathmore, AB, in MJT Junior Boys (73-72=145) and Tayla Perry (16), Regina, SK, in MJT Girls 15-19 (72-77=149). Other standout performances led to division wins for Connor Riou, 15, from Strathmore, AB, in MJT Juvenile Boys (76-74=150), Youran (Yoyo) Zhu, 14, from Saskatoon, SK, in MJT Girls U15 (83-80=163), and Hudson Deibert, 10, from Regina, SK, in MJT Peewee Boys (74-79=153).

 

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 Maui Jim Series, taking place at Moon Lake Golf & Country Club in Saskatoon on July 28-29. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Parker Riou (18), Strathmore, AB | 73, 72 (145)

2. Hudson Heistad (18), Avonlea, SK | 78, 77 (155)    

3. Isaac Shanks (18), Regina, SK | 81, 75 (156)

Parker Riou of Strathmore, Alberta, posted rounds of 73 and 72 (145) to claim the MJT Junior Boys title. The 18-year-old built a strong lead in round one and stayed steady through changing conditions in round two. “I am relieved to be able to battle out the elements with two solid scores,” said Riou. When asked about his closing strategy, he added, “Just keep hitting fairways by conservative plays off the tees and playing for pars.”
 

1. Tayla Perry (16), Regina, SK | 72, 77 (149)

2. Yuna Lee (15), Regina, SK | 83, 76 (159)

3. Letian (Tina) Liu (15), Warman, SK | 84, 80 (164)

With five birdies over two rounds of 72 and 77 (149), 16-year-old Tayla Perry of Regina, Saskatchewan, topped the MJT Girls 15–19 division. “It feels great to win this tournament because I played really well and I did it for Hallie,” shared Perry. “My favourite part about the MJT is that it’s always fun and I get to meet many different people.”
 

1. Connor Riou (15), Strathmore, AB | 76, 74 (150)   

2. Tryce Wallin (16), Humboldt, SK | 79, 74 (153)      

2. Kolton Spenst (15), Saskatoon, SK | 74, 79 (153)

Fifteen-year-old Connor Riou, also from Strathmore, Alberta, earned the MJT Juvenile Boys title with rounds of 76 and 74 (150), overcoming rainy and windy conditions with five birdies and consistent play. “Feels very good,” he said. “The weather was tough, but not unplayable, and the course was beautiful. MJT is an awesome tour, and I love playing on it.” Reflecting on the final holes, he added, “I was excited, but I was telling myself to keep my composure because anything can happen, especially in the wind and rain.”
 

1. Youran (Yoyo) Zhu (14), Saskatoon, SK | 83, 80 (163)        

2. Alyxa Melsted (12), Wynyard, SK | 80, 92 (172)

3. Callie Glover (13), Foam Lake, SK | 119, 101 (220)

Fourteen-year-old Youran “Yoyo” Zhu of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, shot 83 and 80 (163) to win the MJT Girls U15 title. “It feels great! Especially since it was raining on the second day and I was practically drenched by the back nine,” she shared. “I really love how I get to compete with people all over the province, or even across provinces. It’s really fun and you learn a lot from your competitors.”
 

1. Jun Lee (12), Regina, SK | 73, 71 (144) *Won Playoff

2. Austin Nesbitt (14), Pilot Butte, SK | 70, 74 (144)  

3. Keaton Kreklewich (13), Melville, SK | 79, 74 (153)            

After tying at 144 total score after two rounds, 12-year-old Jun Lee of Regina, Saskatchewan, emerged victorious in a playoff over Austin Nesbitt, 14, of Pilot Butte, SK, in the MJT Bantam Boys division, sealing the win with a tap-in birdie on the first extra hole. Lee tallied an eagle and nine birdies over the weekend. “It feels good. I’ve put in a lot of work trying to get better every day and it feels great pulling it off,” he said. “My favourite part is playing with new people and making new friends.” 

MJT Peewee Boys: Tor Hill GC: Par 71, Ydg 5331, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Hudson Deibert (10), Regina, SK | 74, 79 (153)      

2. Cohen Bridge (11), Corman Park, SK | 89, 82 (171)            

3. Kendrick Cardinal (12), St. Paul, AB | 91, 91 (182)

In the MJT Peewee Boys division, 10-year-old Hudson Deibert of Regina, SK, battled gusting winds to card rounds of 74 and 79 (153), securing the win with five birdies on the board. “It feels good to win this event and I am happy how I shot in 60 km/h winds,” said Deibert. “MJT is an amazing tour, and they are so awesome.”

Qualified and Shortlisted Players: 
 

Boys: Kendrick Cardinal, Keaton Kreklewich, Connor Riou

Girls: Yuna Lee

 

Shortlist - Connor Riou

MJT National Tour Challenge

Boys: Keaton Kreklewich, Connor Riou, Parker Riou

Girls: Yuna Lee

 

Shortlist- Parker Riou, Tayla Perry

 

About Ford Canada: Ford of Canada and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) are proud to continue with the successful MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics - an initiative that introduces golf for free to young people, teaching them a game they can benefit from their entire lives. Many thousands of kids have participated in this program since 2006. Clinics have been held in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan where participating Ford Dealers offer free MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics conducted by PGA of Canada Professionals to children in their community. Ford and the Ford Dealers Association wish to support amateur sport in their communities by introducing children to golf, encouraging them to learn the fundamentals, and rewarding them for their efforts.

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