Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s biggest and most competitive junior circuit, continued its summer swing with the exciting debut of the MJT Sergio Garcia Junior Championship Qualifier at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Thornton, ON, June 21–22. A wait-listed field of elite young golfers from across the region competed for titles in six age divisions as well as coveted direct and short-listed qualifying spots in multiple prestigious events, such as the Sergio Garcia Junior Championship in Spain, East Coast Junior Championship in New Brunswick, MJT National Tour Challenge in Ontario, and Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) International Junior Classic in Australia. The chance to qualify for the 2025 Sergio Garcia Junior Championship, which runs this October in Borriol, Spain, is a new opportunity on the MJT for two girls and two boys ages 15–18, who will be selected once all the Canadian qualifiers have completed.

 

Despite an intense downpour that caused a brief rain delay during round one, players returned to deliver strong performances — battling not just the course but also soaring heat and humidity in round two. Tangle Creek’s championship-calibre layout, known for its undulating fairways and premium playing conditions, proved to be a fitting test for the high stakes at hand.

Fifteen-year-old Jett Metaxas of Stoney Creek, ON, outlasted Brennan Turner, also 15, from Fenwick, ON, in a gripping four-hole playoff to claim the MJT Juvenile Boys title. Both players finished regulation tied at the top with a total score of 149 after two solid rounds, but it was Metaxas who sealed the win with a clutch birdie on the final playoff hole.

Also undeterred by the scorching conditions were Jack Wessinger, 17, from Bradenton, FL, in MJT Junior Boys (72-70=142) and Grace (HyunYi) Kim, 13, from Oakville, ON, in MJT Girls U15 (81-74=155), who rose to the top to claim Boys and Girls Low Overall honours respectively.

            
Other strong performances on the weekend that ultimately delivered division wins were recorded by Lauren Perron, 15, of Richmond Hill, ON, in MJT Girls 15-19 (83-86=169), Grady Gouett, 14, of Meaford, ON, in MJT Bantam Boys (78-79=157), and Derek Zhao, 11, of Maple, ON, in MJT Peewee Boys (79-82=161).

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 three-day WAGR-ranked MJT adidas Golf Series at Grey Silo Golf Club, in Waterloo, on July 12-14. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, please visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

MJT Junior Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 6611, Slope/Rating 136/73.0

1. Jack Wessinger (17), Bradenton, FL | 72, 70 (142)

2. Landon Kelly (17), Lindsay, ON | 76, 69 (145)        

3. Tristan Zhang (16), Toronto, ON | 76, 71 (147)

Jack Wessinger, 17, of Bradenton, FL, fired rounds of 72 and 70 (142) to win the Low Overall and MJT Junior Boys titles. With seven birdies over two days and a red-hot final round in the heat, Wessinger credited the strong field and supportive environment. “It feels amazing to win here. I had an awesome time playing,” he said. “The competition was great, the staff was great, and everyone was so nice. The course was in great condition and very fun.”
 

1. Lauren Perron (15), Richmond Hill, ON | 83, 86 (169)

2. Lara Sorguc (18), Toronto, ON | 87, 84 (171)

3. Emma Hsiung (14), Markham, ON | 83, 92 (175)

Claiming her first-ever MJT title, 15-year-old Lauren Perron of Richmond Hill, ON, fought through the humidity to emerge on top in MJT Girls 15–19 with scores of 83 and 86 (169). “This win feels great! I am glad I stayed in it towards the end with the heat,” she said. “Coming down the stretch I was trying to stick to my routine and put full effort into every shot.”

MJT Juvenile Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 6611, Slope/Rating 136/73.0

1. Jett Metaxas (15), Stoney Creek, ON | 74, 75 (149)           
2. Brennan Turner (15), Fenwick, ON | 76, 73 (149)

3. Ben Julie (16), Fenwick, ON | 76, 76 (152)

After four tense playoff holes, 15-year-old Jett Metaxas of Stoney Creek, ON, secured the MJT Juvenile Boys title over fellow 15-year-old Brennan Turner of Fenwick, ON, after both players had tied for the lead with a total score of 149. “Feels great because I've put a lot of work in with my coach, Dave,” said Metaxas. “I like meeting new people and playing with friends — and Cwench is good,” he added, tipping his cap to MJT’s Official Hydration Partner.
 

1. Grace (HyunYi) Kim (13), Oakville, ON | 81, 74 (155)

2. Cadence Tanouye (14), Mississauga, ON | 79, 78 (157)     

3. Eliana Rabo (13), Maple, ON | 88, 81 (169)

Oakville’s Grace (HyunYi) Kim, age 13, stayed composed and focused to take the MJT Girls U15 and Low Overall titles with rounds of 81 and 74 (155). “I really just tried to focus shot by shot rather than my score overall,” she shared. “My favourite part about competing on the MJT is the great community, including the rules official.”
 

1. Grady Gouett (14), Meaford, ON | 78, 79 (157)     

2. Jackson Pearsall (13), North York, ON | 82, 78 (160)          

3. Cristiano Gatto (13), Ancaster, ON |76, 85 (161)

Grady Gouett, 14, of Meaford, ON, earned the MJT Bantam Boys division title after posting rounds of 78 and 79 (157), with four birdies helping fuel his performance. “It feels great, I'm extremely happy and proud of myself,” said Gouett. “I love meeting new and better competitors and pushing myself.”

MJT Peewee Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 5242, Slope/Rating 119/66.3

1. Derek Zhao (11), Maple, ON | 79, 82 (161)

2. Maxwell Diep (12), Toronto, ON | 86, 94 (180)      

3. Jake Jenkins (12), Mississauga, ON | 89, 93 (182)

Maple, ON’s Derek Zhao, 11, battled through fatigue and soaring temperatures to capture the MJT Peewee Boys title with rounds of 79 and 82 (161). “I felt quite tired and I just tried my best despite the fatigue and heat,” he admitted. “My favourite part is the staff. They are kind and supportive.”

Qualified and Shortlisted Players: 
East Coast Junior Championship

Boys: Derek Zhao, Jackson Pearsall, Jett Metaxas, Landon Kelly

 Girls: Eliana Rabo, Lauren Perron

JNJG (Australia)

Shortlisted - Landon Kelly

MJT National Tour Challenge

Boys: Jackson Pearsall, Jett Metaxas,  Landon Kelly

Girls: Eliana Rabo,  Lauren Perron

Sergio Garcia Junior Championship

Shortlisted - Landon Kelly, Lauren Perron

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