Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Canada’s most competitive circuit for young golfers, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), wrapped up its final MJT Manitoba Mini Tour stop of the season at The Players Course in Winnipeg on July 19.

 

Set against the backdrop of tree-lined fairways and water-lined holes, the scenic par-63 layout offered the perfect stage for young talent to shine. Marking the largest Mini Tour field of the year in the province, which shows encouraging growth of the game in the province, the highly anticipated event brought together top 12U athletes all vying for division titles, gold medals, and coveted qualifying spots in next month’s MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club in British Columbia.

Notable performances resulted in division wins by Ethan Sitarz, 11, of Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Boys 11-12 (78), Sadie Blazeiko, 12, of Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Girls 11-12 (87), Joshua Fullante, 10, from Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Girls 9-10 (74), Leah Klippenstein, 9, from Portage La Prairie, MB, in MJT Girls 9-10 (105), Ben Hill, 8, of Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Boys 8U (81), Makayla McLeod, 7, of Brandon, MB, in MJT Girls 8U (126).

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 are posted on the MJT website here.

As the 2025 MJT Mini Tour season in Manitoba comes to a close, we want to thank our members, participants, families, and sponsors for an incredible year. Early Bird Memberships for 2025 will be available in December; more information on the program can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
 

1. Ethan Sitarz (11), Winnipeg, MB | 78         

2. Aaron Hill (12), Winnipeg, MB | 87

3. Owen Shields (11), Winnipeg, MB | 92

Winnipeg’s 11-year-old Ethan Sitarz closed out his MJT Mini Tour season in style, carding a 78 and making it two consecutive MJT division titles. With two birdies and a composed finish, Sitarz said, “(It feels) very good because this is my last MJT Mini Tour. I also feel accomplished,” adding that he stayed focused by thinking, “pars, pars, pars, and just solid shots.”
 

1. Sadie Blazeiko (12), Winnipeg, MB | 87

Twelve-year-old Sadie Blazeiko of Winnipeg capped off a strong MJT Mini Tour season with a score of 87 in her final event. As the sole competitor in her division, she reflected, “Winning this tournament is bittersweet, it’s my last MJT Mini. I was just trying to take it all in and enjoy having my dad as my caddy.” She added that ‘competing with friendly people and playing at many different courses is always great!’

 

1. Joshua Fullante (10), Winnipeg, MB | 74    

2. Hayden Koziura (10), Winnipeg, MB | 82   

3. Levi Penner (9), Oakbank, MB | 85

Ten-year-old Joshua Fullante of Winnipeg fired a solid 74 to top the leaderboard in the MJT Boys 9-10 division. “It feels good to win an MJT event,” said Fullante, who highlighted ‘making new friends and competing against talented players’ as his favourite part of the tour.

MJT Girls 9-10: The Players Course: Par 72, Ydg 3600, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Leah Klippenstein (9), Portage La Prairie, MB | 105

Nine-year-old Leah Klippenstein of Portage La Prairie, MB, showed grit and determination throughout the day, finishing with a score of 105. As the only player in her division, she still made the most of the experience on the final Mini Tour stop in the province.

MJT Boys 8U: The Players Course: Par 72, Ydg 3000, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Ben Hill (8), Winnipeg, MB | 81      

2. Easton Faskerti (8), Stonewall, MB | 86      

3. Neven Childerhouse (7), Winnipeg, MB | 95          

3. Liam Penner (6), Mitchell, MB | 95

Ben Hill, 8, of Winnipeg turned heads with an eagle on the 4th hole en route to a score of 81. “Great!!” was how Hill summed up the win, despite admitting he was nervous coming down the stretch. His favourite part? “Playing golf and making new friends.”

MJT Girls 8U: The Players Course: Par 72, Ydg 3000, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Makayla McLeod (7), Brandon, MB | 126

In her very first tournament appearance, 7-year-old Makayla McLeod of Brandon, MB, embraced the challenge at The Players Course, finishing with a score of 126. “Exciting! This was my first tournament,” she shared. “I was trying to hit the ball straight,” she said, as she navigated the course solo in her division.

Qualified Players (must meet scoring criteria):
MJT Mini Tour National Championship

Boys: Ben Hill, Joshua Fullante 

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