Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s leading competitive junior circuit, brought its fast-growing Mini Tour to Collicutt Siding Golf Club in Crossfield, AB, on June 1, where nearly 50 juniors aged 12 and under teed it up. Battling gusty winds throughout the day, players vied for titles in six divisions as well as for coveted spots in both the MJT Mini Tour National Championship in British Columbia and the World Stars of Junior Golf Championship in Las Vegas. 

 

The scenic and well-maintained Collicutt Siding layout provided the perfect mix of challenge and playability, making for an exciting day of competition for Alberta’s rising golf talent. Eight-year-old Carter Davies of Calgary, AB, delivered one of the most memorable moments of the day in the MJT Boys 9-10 division, scoring a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole. Finishing a respectable 8th overall with a round of 80, Davies’ ace was one of the tournament highlights, along with a red-hot score of 9-under-par 63, recorded by Rylan Hryhirchuk, 10, of Irma, AB, winner of the MJT Boys 9-10 division. 

 

More fine performances led to other division titles going to: Jack Hamilton, 12, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Boys 11-12 (73), Ain Lee, 11, of Sylvan Lake, AB, in MJT Girls 11-12 (78), Christi Zhu, 9, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Girls 9-10 (74), Blake Widmer, 8, from Edmonton, AB, in MJT Boys 8U (71), and Ella Chan, 7, from Edmonton, AB, in MJT Girls 8U (104).

Quotes from the division winners, top finisher scores and the list of qualified players are detailed below. Full results, as well as winners of the Closest-to-the-Pin and Long Drive competitions, are posted on the MJT website here.

The next 12U event in the province is the wait listed MJT Mini Tour Spring Series at Blue Devil Golf Club in Calgary, taking place June 7. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, please visit www.maplejt.com.
 

Top Finishers by Division
MJT Boys 11-12: Collicutt Siding: Par 72, Ydg 5273, Slope/Rating 110/67.9
1. Jack Hamilton (12), Calgary, AB | 73           

2. Judah Hornstein (12), Calgary, AB | 74       

3. Jase Hansen (12), Magrath, AB | 75

Jack Hamilton, 12, of Calgary, AB, emerged victorious in the MJT Boys 11-12 division with a sharp round of 73, edging out the field by a single stroke in a tightly contested battle. With three birdies on the card, Hamilton showed impressive focus and composure to secure the win. “It’s a great feeling of relief to finally get it done,” he shared, crediting his success to ‘practice, practice, practice.’
 

MJT Girls 11-12: Collicutt Siding: Par 72, Ydg 5273, Slope/Rating 117/69.7
1. Ain Lee (11), Sylvan Lake, AB | 78   

2. Jaya Naicker (12), Calgary, AB | 80

3. Sedona Weitz (12), Foothills M.D., AB | 81

Ain Lee, 11, of Sylvan Lake, AB, bounced back from a runner-up finish at her last event to take the MJT Girls 11-12 division title with a strong round of 78. Her consistent play and determination paid off as she continues to build momentum on the MJT Mini Tour. “It feels great! I’m glad that my efforts really worked! I’m also tired after golfing, but isn’t everyone?” she said with a smile. When asked which pro she’d love to tee it up with, Lee answered, “Either Nelly Korda or Lydia Ko, they are both amazing golfers and I could learn a lot from them.”

 

1. Rylan Hryhirchuk (10), Irma, AB | 63          

2. Jacob Topshee (9), Rocky View County, AB | 65     

3. Mika Bhamra (9), Calgary, AB | 68

Ten-year-old Rylan Hryhirchuk of Irma, AB, lit up the MJT Boys 9-10 division with a sizzling 9-under-par 63, notching eight birdies and an eagle to secure his second consecutive win. “Fantastic,” was his one-word reaction to the victory. He credited his continued success to ‘working on my putting stroke all weekend.’
 

1. Christi Zhu (9), Calgary, AB | 74      

2. Mia He (10), Edmonton, AB | 76     

3. Brooke Sundquist (10), Calgary, AB | 77

Calgary’s Christi Zhu, age 9, improved from her second-place finish at her last MJT event to win the MJT Girls 9-10 division title with a stellar round of 74, including a birdie and an eagle. “My group! Their encouragement,” she said, when asked what helped her succeed. “It was a great course and round. Amazing!”

MJT Boys 8U: Collicutt Siding: Par 72, Ydg 3600, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Blake Widmer (8), Edmonton, AB | 71       

2. Jordy Bain (8), Edmonton, AB | 75  

3. Mason Wilkes (8), Drayton Valley, AB | 89

Eight-year-old Blake Widmer of Edmonton, AB, took home the MJT Boys 8U division title after shooting a round of 71, featuring three birdies. Runner-up at the previous event, Widmer shared, “It feels amazing to accomplish this.” He credited ‘chipping and putting practice since the last tournament’ and added with a grin, “Also my popcorn during the round helped me stay focused.”

 

1. Ella Chan (7), Edmonton, AB | 104

2. Joelle Ko (8), Calgary, AB | 115

Seven-year-old Ella Chan of Edmonton, AB, picked up her second straight MJT Girls 8U division win with a solid round of 104. Asked how it felt to win again, she simply said, “Happy!” Chan added, “This is so much fun! I get to play with other girls!”

Qualified Players (must meet Scoring Criteria):

MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC

Boys: Blake Widmer, Jacob Topshee, Jack Hamilton

Girls: Christi Zhu, Ain Lee

 

Boys: Jacob Topshee, Rylan Hryhirchuk

Girls: Christi Zhu, Ain Lee

 

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