Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The exceptionally friendly and hospitable Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick, ON, hosted a heavily waitlisted field of junior golfers from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour's (MJT) PLYR Series on July 18–19. One of six PLYR events on Canada's #1 junior golf tour in 2026, the 36-hole tournament was beset with challenging winds before ideal scoring conditions greeted players in round two.
 

Competitors battled across six divisions for custom crystal trophies, PLYR gift certificates, and qualifying opportunities to return to Sawmill Golf Course this fall for the MJT National Tour Challenge. Adding to the weekend's memorable moments, Nathan Woodyatt, 17, of Orangeville, ON, recorded a hole-in-one on the demanding par-3 eighth hole during the opening round. Woodyatt went on to finish sixth in the MJT Junior Boys division with rounds of 80-78 (158).

Jack Hanna, 18, from Beamsville, ON, put together fine rounds of 72 and 75 to finish at 147 and capture the MJT Junior Boys title. His performance featured three birdies and an eagle over 36 holes. Hanna credited his golf coach, Mike Karasinski, for helping him reach the top, saying, "He gives me positive feedback on my game and makes me feel like I'm in a good place by giving me confidence." Reflecting on the tournament, he added, "It was very well organized and fun to play. Overall, a good environment!"

 

Sixteen-year-old Chloe Hassberger of Minesing, ON, made it three in a row and ran away with her third MJT Girls 15-19 division title this season after carding scores of 78 and 75 for a 153 total. She thanked ‘my dad, mom, Sawmill and MJT staff’ for their support throughout the event. 

 

St. Catharines, ON, golfer, Landon Friesen, 15, set the pace with a brilliant opening three-under-par 69 before following it with an impressive two-under 70 to secure the MJT Juvenile Boys crystal and Low Overall Boy honours at 139. His impressive weekend included seven birdies and two under-par rounds. Friesen thanked ‘my whole team and especially all of Sawmill’ after the victory and summed up his tournament experience with, ‘100/10, no feedback whatsoever.’

 

Low Overall Girl honours went to 12-year-old Sophia Noh of Richmond Hill, ON, after she finished atop the MJT Girls U15 division, firing great rounds of 76 and 74 for a 150 total. Along the way, she made seven birdies and relied on a simple approach: "My strategy on the golf course today was to focus one shot at a time, as my mom always tells me." Noh also expressed her appreciation to ‘my mom, dad, and coaches for always supporting me and cheering me on.’

 

Representing Shanghai, China, 13-year-old Xuesi Chen combined a spectacular opening one-under-par 70 with a 74 to finish at 144 and win the MJT Bantam Boys division. His steady play included four birdies and an eagle over the tournament. Chen's game plan was to ‘play 71 and make no big mistakes with my driver,’ and afterward he shared, "I liked this tournament, it was good."

 

The MJT Peewee Boys division required extra holes to determine a winner after Jaxon Mitchell of Burlington, ON, and Caleb O'Brien of Melville, SK, both finished tied for the lead at 165. Mitchell, 12, prevailed on the first playoff hole. Throughout the weekend, his focus was to ‘just keep my head down and try until the end,’ and after sealing the victory, he gave the event a glowing review: ‘10/10, MJT is the best!’

 

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 heavily waitlisted MJT Humber College PGM Classic at Spring Lakes Golf Club in Stouffville taking place on July 25-26. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Jack Hanna (18), Beamsville, ON | 72, 75 (147)      

2. Cole Gowe (19), Burlington, ON | 77, 71 (148)       

3. Daman Grevers (17), Woodstock, ON | 74, 79 (153)

 

1. Chloe Hassberger (16), Minesing, ON | 78, 75 (153)          

2. Milana Cunha (16), Woodbridge, ON | 80, 86 (166)           

3. Isla Elbe (14), Oakville, ON | 78, 89 (167)
 

1. Landon Friesen (15), St Catharines, ON | 69, 70 (139)       

2. Brock Campbell (16), Trent Lakes, ON | 71, 74 (145)         

3. Chi-Shen Lin (14), Toronto, ON | 74, 76 (150)

MJT Girls U15: Sawmill GC: Par 72, Ydg 5189, Slope/Rating 125/70.9

1. Sophia Noh (12), Richmond Hill, ON | 76, 74 (150)

2. Miranda Zhang (13), Toronto, ON | 80, 79 (159)

3. Lanai Park (10), Oakville, ON | 81, 80 (161)

 

1. Xuesi Chen (13), Shanghai, China | 70, 74 (144)     

2. Hudson Lockwood (14), Oakville, ON | 77, 76 (153)           

3. Mason Campbell (14), Trent Lakes, ON | 78, 76 (154)

MJT Peewee Boys: Sawmill GC: Par 71, Ydg 5189, Slope/Rating 116/65.6

1. Jaxon Mitchell (12), Burlington, ON | 87, 78 (165) *Won Playoff

2. Caleb O'Brien (12), Melville, SK | 86, 79 (165)        

3. Jacob Ding (12), Oakville, ON | 85, 81 (166)

Qualified Players:
MJT National Tour Challenge About PLYR Golf: Established in 2015, PLYR emerged with an idea that would allow both casual street apparel and golf attire to merge.  Fast forward a few years and although the brand has expanded beyond the course, the vision remains - push the status quo on what is 'cool' in athletic apparel. Our mission is simple. Create a culture that will inspire and connect the next generation of PLYR's through innovative, high-quality products.  PLYR - any and all athletes. We are all PLYR's.

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