Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

A full field of young golfers faced a true test at the MJT Humber College PGM Classic at Royal Niagara Golf Club on May 17-18, the first of two events in the Humber College Series on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s most-played junior golf tour. The event, which offered up titles in six divisions as well as excellent qualifying opportunities, was supported by the Humber College Professional Golf Management Program, the pathway for aspiring golf industry professionals.

 

Round one was played in extremely challenging conditions, as steady side winds and gusts reaching up to 80 km/h swept across the course, demanding precision and grit from the field. Athletes battled both the elements and each other for division titles and qualifying spots into two major events: the East Coast Junior Championship and the MJT National Tour Challenge.

In the MJT Junior Boys division, Nate Ditto of St. Catharines, ON, and Josh Ye of Markham, ON, went head-to-head in a thrilling playoff after both finished tied at 156 following 36 holes of regulation play. With both players familiar with playoff pressure, it took two extra holes to determine the winner, and Ditto delivered in dramatic fashion, sinking a 50-foot birdie putt to clinch the title on home turf.

Low Overall Honours for boys and girls respectively were won by Brennan Turner, 15, of Fenwick, ON, in MJT Juvenile Boys (79-69=148) and Stella Babbitt, 15, of Burlington, ON, in MJT Girls 15-19 (78-86=164). Other strong performances led to division wins for Grace (HyunYi) Kim, 13, from Oakville, ON, in MJT Girls U15 (79-80=159), Kaige Zhu, 12, from Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, in MJT Bantam Boys (75-71=146), and Max Sue, 12, of Markham, ON, in MJT Peewee Boys (82-76=158).

Top finisher scores, highlights of the division winners, and the list of qualified 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.

The next event in the province is the MJT U.S. Performance Academy Series at Tarandowah Golfers Club in Springfield, taking place May 24-25. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.
 

 

1. Nate Ditto (17), St. Catharines, ON | 81, 75 (156)  

2. Josh Ye (16), Markham, ON | 82, 74 (156)

3. Ethan Tran (17), East York, ON | 79, 81 (160)

In the MJT Junior Boys division, it was a battle to the very end as Nate Ditto, 17, of St. Catharines, ON, and Josh Ye, 16, of Markham, ON, finished tied at 156 after 36 holes, forcing a playoff. Neither player is a stranger to extra-hole pressure, but after two playoff holes, it was Ditto who sealed the deal, draining a clutch 50-foot birdie putt to take the win in front of friends and supporters. “Feels great to get the job done at home with some friends watching,” said Ditto. A thrilling finish to a tightly contested division.
 

1. Stella Babbitt (15), Burlington, ON | 78, 86 (164)

2. Rainah Bajwa (16), Oakville, ON | 80, 85 (165)       

3. Shiqi Gong (15), Richmond Hill, ON | 83, 87 (170)

Stella Babbitt, 15, of Burlington, ON, secured the MJT Girls 15-19 title with rounds of 78 and 86 (164), carding four birdies along the way. “It was a great event!” said Babbitt, who cited Nelly Korda as her role model — “because she is a great player and she is inspiring.”
 

1. Brennan Turner (15), Fenwick, ON | 79, 69 (148)  

2. Cunyi (Peter) Zhang (16), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON | 77, 74 (151)

3. Trent Clarke (16), Vineland, ON | 78, 76 (154)

Fifteen-year-old Brennan Turner of Fenwick, ON, bounced back in a big way to capture the MJT Juvenile Boys title with rounds of 79 and a sizzling 69 (148), highlighted by a three-under-par final round. After battling tough conditions in round one, Turner turned the tables with a 10-stroke swing on day two. “It feels great,” he said. “I’m proud of myself that I was able to bounce back.”

MJT Girls U15: Royal Niagara: Par 72, Ydg 5258, Slope/Rating 121/67.4
1. Grace (HyunYi) Kim (13), Oakville, ON | 79, 80 (159)

2. Mirela Boras (12), Burlington, ON | 85, 76 (161)    

3. Audrina Lau (13), Toronto, ON | 84, 84 (168)

Grace (HyunYi) Kim, 13, of Oakville, ON, claimed the MJT Girls U15 title with steady rounds of 79 and 80 (159), anchored by a consistently strong performance off the tee. “My driver was very consistent,” said Kim, who also shared high praise for the tour: “I think of MJT as one of the best junior programs. I don’t have any suggestions, other than asking for the tournaments to continue as long as possible!”
 

1. Kaige Zhu (12), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON | 75, 71 (146)    

2. Landon Friesen (14), St Catharines, ON | 77, 75 (152)       

3. Bentley McNamara (13), Woodstock, ON | 84, 74 (158)

Kaige Zhu, 12, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, made the most of his home-course advantage, capturing the MJT Bantam Boys title with impressive rounds of 75 and 71 (146), including a one-under-par final round and three birdies. Zhu had a unique take on who inspires him in professional golf: “Collin Morikawa, because he is my favourite player, and my brother-in-law.” A standout performance and a standout connection.

MJT Peewee Boys: Royal Niagara: Par 72, Ydg 5358, Slope/Rating 121/67.4
1. Max Sue (12), Markham, ON | 82, 76 (158)

2. Oscar Qin (12), Oakville, ON | 93, 83 (176)

3. Nathan He (12), Toronto, ON | 98, 89 (187)

Max Sue, 12, of Markham, ON, delivered a strong two-day performance to take the MJT Peewee Boys title with rounds of 82 and 76 (158), highlighted by five birdies. When asked what contributed to his success, Sue kept it simple: “Good sleep and practice.” As for who he'd tee it up with if given the chance? “Rory McIlroy, because I like his swing and personality.”

Qualified Players: 
 

East Coast Junior Championship
Boys: Max Sue, Kaige Zhu, Brennan Turner and Nate Ditto

Girls: Grace (HyunYi) Kim and Stella Babbitt

 

MJT National Tour Challenge
Boys: Kaige Zhu, Brennan Turner and Nate Ditto

Girls: Grace (HyunYi) Kim and Stella Babbitt

About Humber College Professional Golf Management Program: Humber College’s Business Administration - Professional Golf Management program is a ‘Recognized PGA of Canada program.’ Learning from industry pros, students gain hands-on experience with the latest golf technology, software and equipment in our world-class, Golf Lab facility, and receive golf coaching, club fitting and swing analysis from our team of PGA of Canada members. Our program also includes two six-month paid co-op internships. Our students have the opportunity to play on the Humber Hawks varsity golf team, the most decorated golf team in Canada. To learn more on the Humber College Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program, visit their website 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