Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s #1-played junior golf tour, launched its highly anticipated Atlantic Canada circuit this past weekend at the stunning seaside Chester Golf Club in Chester, Nova Scotia. Despite heavy rain and puddling greens, more than 75 players showed up in force across two events: the MJT Mini Tour for players 12 and under on May 10, and the MJT Junior Tour for players up to age 19 on May 10 and 11.

 

Undeterred by the weather which shortened their tournament to nine holes, the 12U MJT Mini Tour athletes rose to the challenge, battling for division titles in six age categories and coveted qualifying spots into two major events: the MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club in British Columbia and the World Stars Junior Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Blazing through the first five holes with four birdies, 11-year-old Nazzim Rafih of Wolfville, NS, surged to a dramatic tie-breaker victory in the MJT Boys 11-12 Division (36), after finishing level with Elie Yazbek of Timberlea, NS, in a rain-shortened nine-hole round. The MJT Girls 9-10 Division also ended in a deadlock, with 8-year-old Ariyah Sock of Elsipogtog First Nation, NB, edging out Adelyn Harris of Wolfville, NS, based on her stronger tie-breaker finish over the final three holes.

 

They were joined in the winner’s circle by a strong lineup of weather-braving champions, including Sophie Landry, 11, of Dieppe, NB, in MJT Girls 11-12 (53), Alex MacDonald, 10, of Fall River, NS, in MJT Boys 9-10 (39), Jameson Whitehead, 8, of Halifax, NS, in MJT Boys 8U (40), and Niyah Rafih, 8, of Wolfville, NS, in MJT Girls 8U (57).

Top finisher scores and the list of qualified players are detailed below. Full results are posted on the MJT website here.

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the region is at KenWo Golf Club in New Minas (Wolfville), NS, taking place May 17. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.
 

 

1. Nazzim Rafih (11), Wolfville, NS | 36

2. Elie Yazbek (10), Timberlea, NS | 36

3. Nate Baker (11), Hartland, NB | 40

3. Elijah Faddoul (11), Halifax, NS | 40

In one of the most exciting finishes of the day, 11-year-old Nazzim Rafih of Wolfville, NS, emerged victorious in a tie-breaker finish in the MJT Boys 11-12 division over Elie Yazbek, 10, of Timberlea, NS. Both players carded impressive 36s over the shortened 9-hole round, with Rafih racking up four birdies along the way. The two remained neck-and-neck throughout, forcing a decision by the fourth level of retrogression — ultimately awarding the win to Rafih based on performance on the course’s most difficult hole.
 

1. Sophie Landry (11), Dieppe, NB | 53

Reigning 2024 Order of Merit winner, Sophie Landry, 11, of Dieppe, NB, opened her MJT season with confidence, carding a solid 53 in the MJT Girls 11-12 Division at Chester Golf Club. Competing in a division of her own didn’t slow her pace — Landry stayed focused, embracing the challenge and adding another solid performance to her growing resume on the Atlantic Canada swing.
 

1. Alex MacDonald (10), Fall River, NS | 39

2. Tristan Breault (9), Dieppe, NB | 41

3. Callum Burge (8), Amherst, NS | 46

Alex MacDonald, 10, of Fall River, NS, came out swinging in the MJT Boys 9-10 Division, firing a sharp 39 to secure a two-stroke win at Chester Golf Club. MacDonald navigated the rain-soaked conditions with confidence, kicking off his MJT season in style.
 

1. Ariyah Sock (8), Elsipogtog First Nation, NB | 55
2. Adelyn Harris (9), Wolfville, NS | 55

3. Sophia Fraser (10), Bedford, NS | 67

Ariyah Sock, 8, of Elsipogtog First Nation, NB, and another reigning 2024 Order of Merit division winner, delivered a strong showing in the tightly contested MJT Girls 9-10 division at Chester Golf Club. Tied at 55 with 9-year-old Adelyn Harris of Wolfville, NS, Sock secured the win based on her solid play over the final three holes, capping off the round with a clutch performance to take the title.

MJT Boys 8U: Chester GC: Par 70, Ydg 3500, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Jameson Whitehead (8), Halifax, NS | 40

2. Jaxon Brown (7), Dartmouth, NS | 53

3. Dexter Williams (8), Enfield, NS | 63

Eight-year-old Jameson Whitehead of Halifax, NS, wasted no time making his mark at Chester Golf Club, firing a 40 to take a commanding lead and the MJT Boys 8U division title. Despite the weather-shortened format, Whitehead delivered a confident performance.

MJT Girls 8U: Chester GC: Par 70, Ydg 3500, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Niyah Rafih (8), Wolfville, NS | 57

2. Genevieve Yeh (7), Halifax, NS | 64

Eight-year-old Niyah Rafih of Wolfville, NS, edged out her competitor in a close contest to claim the MJT Girls 8U division title with a score of 57 at Chester Golf Club. Rafih’s focus and determination shone through in the challenging conditions, earning her a well-fought victory to kick off her MJT season.

Qualified and Shortlisted Players (must meet scoring criteria): 

MJT Mini Tour National Championship

Boys: Jameson Whitehead, Alex MacDonald, Nazzim Rafih, Elie Yazbek
 

World Stars Junior Championship
Boys: Nazzim Rafih, Alex MacDonald, Jameson Whitehead

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