Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s leading junior tour, brought its Mini Tour to the challenging fairways of Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alberta, on July 6. Nearly 50 talented 12U athletes competed across six divisions, all vying for division titles and coveted qualifying spots in the MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs in British Columbia next month.

The day wrapped with strong performances across all six divisions, including wins by Jase Hansen, 12, of Magrath, AB, in MJT Boys 11-12 (82), Jaya Naicker, 12, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Girls 11-12 (91), Mika Bhamra, 9, from Calgary, AB, in MJT Boys 9-10 (71), Mia He, 10, from Edmonton, AB, in MJT Girls 9-10 (80), Mason Wilkes, 8, of Drayton Valley, AB, in MJT Boys 8U (88), and Jagger Nguyen, 7, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Girls 8U (106).

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 MJT Mini Tour event in the province is at Triple Creek Golf Club, taking place July 10 in Millet. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.
 

1. Jase Hansen (12), Magrath, AB | 82           

2. Jaxon Rogalczyk (11), Innisfail, AB | 83       

3. Carter Martin (12), Millet, AB | 84

Twelve-year-old Jase Hansen of Magrath, AB, broke through for his first MJT win with a round of 82 at Innisfail Golf Club. “Amazing to finally get it done!” he said after the round. Reflecting on what made the day memorable, Hansen said his favourite part was ‘the intensity,’ and he added, “It was great, thank you.”
 

1. Jaya Naicker (12), Calgary, AB | 91

2. Ain Lee (11), Sylvan Lake, AB | 92   

2. Sydney Preston (12), Calgary, AB | 92

Calgary’s Jaya Naicker, age 12, made it two in a row with another win in the MJT Girls 11-12 division, carding a round of 91. “I feel really proud of myself and feel like all my practice was worth it,” she shared. “My favourite part about competing on the MJT is seeing where my progress takes me and getting to play golf and socialize with my friends.” Naicker also praised the MJT team, saying, “I think the MJT crew did an excellent job running this event. Thank you to everyone who participated at this event and I’m very grateful that I got to compete at this tournament.”
 

1. Mika Bhamra (9), Calgary, AB | 71  

2. Jix Whitton (10), Rocky Mountain House, AB | 73  

3. Naeem Fazel (9), Calgary, AB | 80
 

Nine-year-old Mika Bhamra of Calgary, AB, fired a fantastic round of 71, finishing one under par with three birdies on a challenging course. “It feels good to finally get the first win of the season on the MJT Tour and one on one of the most difficult courses,” he said. “Playing with and creating friendships with the other players and having a lot of fun doing it! I love this sport!” Bhamra closed by saying, “MJT put on another amazing and memorable event!”
 

1. Mia He (10), Edmonton, AB | 80     

2. Tate Hunt (10), Edmonton, AB | 91

2. Vivian Lee (10), Calgary, AB | 91
 

With a second consecutive win under her belt, 10-year-old Mia He of Edmonton, AB, delivered another strong performance, shooting 80 to top the MJT Girls 9-10 division. “It feels so exciting to win another time and competing with all of my old friends, as well as playing with new friends. I feel very happy and excited and I'm super happy once again,” she said. “Playing in MJT makes me feel so excited and my favourite part is playing with my friends and new people in a little competition!” She also shared encouragement for the tour, saying, “just keep doing what you’re doing and continue to encourage young golfers to continue down the golfing path!”

MJT Boys 8U: Aspen/Spruce: Par 72, Ydg 3084, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Mason Wilkes (8), Drayton Valley, AB | 88

2. Knox Shippelt (8), Rocky Mountain House, AB | 97            

3. Austin Sundquist (7), Calgary, AB | 98

Mason Wilkes, 8, from Drayton Valley, AB, handled the pressure with poise to take the MJT Boys 8U division title with a score of 88. “Really good,” he said when asked how it felt to win. Coming down the stretch, he admitted, “I was thinking it was going to be really tight.” After the round, he added, “I really enjoyed it, the course is awesome.”
 

1. Jagger Nguyen (7), Calgary, AB | 106          

2. Ella Chan (7), Edmonton, AB | 121

Seven-year-old Jagger Nguyen of Calgary, AB, was all smiles after her round of 106 in the MJT Girls 8U division. When asked how she felt, she simply said, ‘good.’ Her favourite part? “Playing different courses and meeting new friends.” She also shared a kind word for the MJT team: “keep doing what you’re doing, everything is great!”

Qualified Players (must meet Scoring Criteria):

MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC
Boys: Naeem Fazel, Jaxon Rogalczyk

Girls: Tate Hunt
 

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