Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

One of Ontario's premier championship venues played host to one of the province's most competitive junior golf events as a waitlisted field of nearly 90 athletes teed it up in Thornton for the MJT Major Series at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club over three days, June 20-22.
 

Competing in the 54-hole, WAGR-ranked tournament, athletes aged 19U battled across six divisions for custom crystal trophies, Titleist golf bags, and valuable qualifying opportunities into two of the MJT's most sought-after international and national events: the MJT National Tour Challenge in Ontario and the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in Australia (shortlist). With major ranking points, championship hardware, and exemptions on the line, the stage was set for an exciting weekend of competition.

A fantastic 3-under par opening-round 69 set the tone for Owen Gellatly of Bradenton, FL, who went on to win the MJT Major Series Junior Boys title with the low overall Boys score of 219. The 17-year-old recorded 11 birdies over the 54-hole championship and pointed to his coach as a major influence on his success, saying, "Thanks to my coach, Tyler Marchand, who always knows what to do and say." Gellatly also praised the tournament experience, noting, "The event was run smoothly, and the course was in good shape."

 

Minesing, ON, golfer Chloe Hassberger fired excellent rounds of 73, 78, and 73 to finish with the low overall Girl’s score of 224, securing the MJT Major Series Girls 15-19 title. The 16-year-old carded 10 birdies over three rounds and was quick to thank those who helped along the way: "My coach, Ryan, my dad, my mom, as well as the staff at MJT and Tangle Creek." Asked what was running through her mind during the closing moments, Hassberger offered a memorable response: "I was thinking about Africa by Toto playing at the clubhouse."

 

Nine birdies over 54 holes helped Kitchener's Ben Schofield, 16, post a winning total of 227 to claim the MJT Major Series Juvenile Boys trophy. As the tournament reached its final stages, Schofield kept his focus simple, saying, "Stick to my game and trust myself." Afterwards, he reflected on the week, describing it as ‘very fun and competitive’ while adding that ‘the course was well set up and didn't play easy.’

 

Thirteen-year-old Cocomi Wang of Toronto, ON, opened the tournament with an even-par 72 and went on to finish first in the MJT Girls U15 division, taking the MJT Major Series win with a total score of 227. Wang collected eight birdies over the weekend and acknowledged the support she received at home, saying, "My mom supported me a lot and helped me improve throughout this week." Her game plan was equally straightforward: ‘My strategy was to hit the fairway and greens.’

 

The MJT Major Series Bantam Boys title was decided in one of the closest battles of the tournament, with Jackson Pearsall of North York, ON, edging the field by a single stroke after rounds of 75, 72, and 76. The 14-year-old thanked his support team, saying, "I would like to thank my coach, my mom, and my grandfather for everything you have done for me." Pearsall knew the pressure was on late in the round, explaining, "It was tough because my opponents were playing great and I knew I was going to need a par or birdie on the last hole to win."

 

Markham's Bryce Wang, age 11, carded 81, 77, and 84 to finish at 242 for victory as the MJT Major Series Peewee Boys champion. Wang attributed part of his performance to recent work on his game, saying, "I was working on my swing these last couple of weeks." His strategy throughout the championship focused on consistency, as he aimed to ‘keep the ball in play and try to have good putting speed.’

 

Top finisher scores and the list of qualified players 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.  

 

Next up in Ontario is the waitlisted MJT JNJG Australia Qualifier at Otter Creek Golf Course, taking place June 27-28 in Otterville. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Owen Gellatly (17), Bradenton, FL | 69, 78, 72 (219)         

2. Leo Savio (18), Welland, ON | 73, 74, 74 (221)      

3. Tomas Bonilla Martinez (18), Aurora, ON | 79, 77, 72 (228)

 

1. Chloe Hassberger (16), Minesing, ON | 73, 78, 73 (224)

2. Karina Patel (15), Milton, ON | 78, 80, 76 (234)     

3. Gloria Shen (17), Richmond Hill, ON | 85, 78, 83 (246)

 

1. Ben Schofield (16), Kitchener, ON | 76, 74, 77 (227)          

2. Karuna Doulat (16), Brampton, ON | 80, 79, 73 (232)        

3. Antonio Mesiti (16), Kleinburg, ON | 72, 82, 81 (235)

MJT Girls U15: Tangle Creek CC: Par 72, Ydg 5242, Slope/Rating 129/71.1

1. Cocomi Wang (13), Toronto, ON | 72, 77, 78 (227)            

2. Sophia Noh (12), Richmond Hill, ON | 82, 75, 75 (232)      

3. Miranda Zhang (13), Toronto, ON | 82, 78, 74 (234)

MJT Bantam Boys: Tangle Creek CC: Par 72, Ydg 5812, Slope/Rating 126/68.3

1. Jackson Pearsall (14), North York, ON | 75, 72, 76 (223)

2. Theo Wittemund (12), Mississauga, ON | 74, 78, 72 (224)

3. Hudson Lockwood (14), Oakville, ON | 76, 76, 73 (225)

MJT Peewee Boys: Tangle Creek CC: Par 72, Ydg 5242, Slope/Rating 119/66.3

1. Bryce Wang (11), Markham, ON | 81, 77, 84 (242)

2. Atlas Chou (11), North York, ON | 92, 85, 78 (255)

3. Bowen Li (12), Toronto, ON | 87, 86, 83 (256)

Qualified and Shortlisted Players:

Jack Newton International Junior Golf Classic (Australia) (Shortlisted)

Boy: Owen Gellatly

 

Boys: Jackson Pearsall, Ben Schofield, Owen Gellatly

Girls: Cocomi Wang, Karina Pate

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