Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

A field of more than 100 junior golfers took over Elk Ridge Resort in Waskesiu, SK, on August 15–16, as the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Order of Merit Series brought together talented players from across Saskatchewan and neighbouring provinces for two days of competition.
 

Beautiful summer weather provided an ideal setting for the 19U field, with Elk Ridge’s tree-lined layout demanding accuracy and smart course management throughout the weekend. Players battled across six divisions for custom Maple Leaf trophies, Titleist golf bags, and valuable MJT Order of Merit points.
 

With the season moving into its final stretch, those points carried added importance, helping determine qualification for the 28th annual MJT National Championship presented by adidas Golf at Orange Lake Resort in Florida this November.

Saskatoon’s Oliver Matyczuk, 18, claimed the MJT Junior Boys title with rounds of 77 and a strong even-par 72 for a 149 total. Matyczuk kept his approach uncomplicated throughout the weekend, “Hit it where I could see it and make some birdies”, with a chip-in birdie on a par three providing one of the highlights of his victory.

 

In the MJT Girls 15–19 division, 16-year-old Miranda Merriman of Air Ronge, SK, secured the win with matching rounds of 84 for a consistent 168 total. Merriman recorded three birdies and an eagle over the two days, with the latter proving particularly important. “My eagle on hole 4 really helped me get some confidence,” she said. Heading into the final round, her strategy was to ‘be fearless and let the score come to me,’ rather than chasing numbers on the scorecard.

 

The MJT Juvenile Boys division went to a playoff, where Wynyard’s Ayden Melsted, 16, emerged with the title over 15-year-old Tylan Wallin of Humboldt, SK. Melsted posted rounds of 73 and 76, while Wallin fired a final-round 70 to join him at 149 and force extra holes. Melsted sealed the victory on the first playoff hole after relying on a strategy of hitting fairways and limiting three-putts. He gave the weekend ‘5 stars,’ adding, “It was great and well run. The course was unreal.”

 

Thirteen-year-old Alyxa Melsted made it two titles for the Melsted family, winning the MJT Girls U15 division with rounds of 77 and 79 for a 156 total. The Wynyard golfer focused on keeping mistakes to a minimum, explaining, “My strategy was to keep the ball in play and play safe.” Alyxa rated her experience a “10/10,” while joining her older brother Ayden in the winner’s circle at Elk Ridge.

 

Representing Oakville, MB, Ty Montour, 13, took home the MJT Bantam Boys division title after rounds of 82 and 76 for a 158 total. Montour collected five birdies over the weekend and found success by taking some of the pressure out of the competition. “I tried to just pretend I was at my home course playing a round with my buddies, and that helped me play relaxed,” he said. He rated the experience ‘10/10,’ while also calling Elk Ridge a “great course.”

 

Hudson Deibert continued his stellar season by capturing the MJT Peewee Boys title, opening with a two-under 70 before adding a 76 for a division-low 146 total. The 11-year-old from Regina, SK, built his performance around a straightforward strategy of ‘fairways and greens.’ Rather than pointing to one decisive moment, Deibert credited the cumulative effect of his play over both rounds for getting him into the winner’s circle once again.

 

Top finisher scores are noted below. Results from the Bomber Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards, and Academy Points can be found here.  

 

The next and final event in Saskatchewan is the heavily waitlisted MJT Maui Jim Series at The Legends Golf Club in Warman, taking place August 29-30. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Oliver Matyczuk (18), Saskatoon, SK | 77, 72 (149)            

2. Levi Young (18), Warman, SK | 78, 74 (152)

3. Kaleb Cournoyer (18), Prince Albert, SK | 79, 74 (153)

 

1. Miranda Merriman (16), Air Ronge, SK | 84, 84 (168)        

2. Kora Montour (16), Oakville, MB | 91, 90 (181)     

3. Hailey Bollinger (17), Swift Current, SK | 95, 89 (184)

 

1. Ayden Melsted (16), Wynyard, SK | 73, 76 (149) *Won playoff

2. Tylan Wallin (15), Humboldt, SK | 79, 70 (149)      

3. Shae Maunula (16), North Battleford, SK | 75, 75 (150)

 

1. Alyxa Melsted (13), Wynyard, SK | 77, 79 (156)

2. Natalie Maunula (14), North Battleford, SK | 82, 81 (163)

3. Callie Glover (14), Foam Lake, SK | 86, 92 (178)

 

1. Ty Montour (13), Oakville, MB | 82, 76 (158)         

2. Jace Munro (14), Swift Current, SK | 81, 79 (160)  

3. Connor Regehr (14), Regina, SK | 80, 82 (162)

MJT Peewee Boys: Tamarack/Birch: Par 72, Ydg 5204, Slope/Rating 108/65.1

1. Hudson Deibert (11), Regina, SK | 70, 76 (146)      

2. Cohen Bridge (12), Corman Park, SK | 77, 70 (147)            

3. Caleb O'Brien (12), Melville, SK | 83, 78 (161)

         

 

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