Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

A weekend of division titles, national exemptions, and international opportunities unfolded at Countryview Golf Club on June 6-7 as the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's number one-played junior golf tour, welcomed 72 athletes to its second annual Prince Edward Island stop, featuring competition on both its Mini Tour and Junior Tour circuits.
 

The MJT Junior Tour event, part of the national MJT ZEAL Series, was for athletes aged 19 and under competing across six divisions for custom crystal trophies, ZEAL Optics sunglasses, and qualifying spots into the MJT East Coast Junior Championship, the Jack Newton Junior Golf Championship in Australia, and the MJT National Tour Challenge. The tournament was one of two MJT ZEAL Series events across Canada this past weekend, with the second in Manitoba, highlighting the national reach of Canada's leading junior golf circuit.
 

Results from the MJT ZEAL Series at Countryview Golf Club are detailed below.

A playoff was needed to decide the MJT Junior Boys title, from which 16-year-old Ollie Larsen of Fredericton, NB, emerged victorious after draining a birdie on the first extra hole to edge Maxime Anthony of Berry Mills, NB. Larsen had fired rounds of 78 and 74 (152) to come from behind and force the playoff with co-leader Anthony. Reflecting on those who helped him along the way, Larsen said, "My family for being my biggest supporters and pushing and believing in me to be the best version of myself." His approach throughout the weekend was simple: "To stay patient and let it come to me."
 

In the MJT Girls 15-19 division, Reid Hart, 18, of O'Leary, PEI, mounted an impressive comeback from her opening round of 90 by firing 81 in round two and securing a two-stroke lead at 171. Hart credited her mother for helping her stay positive after a difficult first day, saying, "My mom came out and was a huge support. After my first round I was a little down, but she didn't let me give up on myself." As the tournament entered its closing stages, Hart stayed focused by reminding herself, ‘I just knew I had to take it one shot at a time and not get ahead of myself because anything could still happen.’
 

Brookfield, NS, golfer Finn Grinton put together one of the strongest performances of the weekend, recording six birdies and an eagle en route to rounds of 71 and 74 for Boys low overall score in the MJT Juvenile Boys division. The 15-year-old carried a comfortable lead into the final stretch and adjusted his mindset accordingly. "I had a 5 shot lead, so I was thinking I had to make pars or bogies and finish strong," he said after sealing the victory.
 

Fourteen-year-old Lila Bishop of Port Williams, NS, improved by two shots in the final round to fire 81 and 79 for the Girls low overall score and MJT Girls U15 title. Bishop highlighted the support she received from both her coaches and parents throughout her golf journey, saying, "My coaches played a huge role and helped me succeed with my golf. Also, my parents for driving me here." Asked about the tournament experience, her review was concise: "It was great."
 

Representing host province Prince Edward Island, Archer MacDougall of Charlottetown pieced together solid rounds of 79 and 77 to claim the MJT Bantam Boys division title with a 156 total. The 14-year-old relied on a disciplined strategy throughout the tournament, explaining that his focus was to ‘aim for the middle of the green.’ MacDougall also had high praise for the event, rating it ‘10 out of 10’ and adding, "MJT puts on a great event."
 

Competing as the lone player in the MJT Peewee Boys division, 12-year-old Nazzim Rafih of Wolfville, NS, demonstrated impressive consistency with matching rounds of 85 for a 170 total. Rafih adapted well to the speedy putting surfaces at Countryview Golf Club, noting, "The greens were fast, so I was trying to land short and let it roll up." He also complimented the tournament setup, giving it a ‘10/10’ rating and citing the ‘great course conditions.’

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 the region is the MJT East Coast Junior Championship presented by adidas Golf at Amherst Golf Club, taking place June 19-21 in Amherst, NS. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Ollie Larsen (16), Fredericton, NB | 78, 74 (152)

2. Maxime Anthony (17), Berry Mills, NB | 75, 77 (152)         

3. Nathan Dykstra (17), Sussex Corner, NB | 82, 75 (157)

 

1. Reid Hart (18), O'Leary, PE | 90, 81 (171)   

2. Frédérique Doiron (16), Dieppe, NB | 90, 83 (173)

3. Riley Partington (18), Fredericton, NB | 93, 91 (184)

 

1. Finn Grinton (15), Brookfield, NS | 71, 74 (145)     

2. Colin MacCormac (16), Stratford, PE | 72, 76 (148)           

3 Carter Lavigne (16), Moncton, NB | 77, 72 (149)
 

1. Lila Bishop (14), Port Williams, NS | 81, 79 (160)   

2. Charlotte Bannister (12), Rothesay, NB | 170, 181 (351)

 

1. Archer MacDougall (14), Charlottetown, PE | 79, 77 (156)            

2. Miguel Poirier (12), Bouctouche, NB | 80, 78 (158)

3. Grayson van Raalte (14), Douglas, NB | 83, 79 (162)

MJT Peewee Boys: Countryview GC: Par 72, Ydg 5740, Slope/Rating 108/67.7

1. Nazzim Rafih (12), Wolfville, NS | 85, 85 (170)

 

Qualified and Shortlisted Players
 

Boys: Nazzim Rafih, Archer MacDougall, Finn Grinton, Ollie Larsen

Grils: Reid Hart

 

Boys: Finn Grinton

 

Boys: Archer MacDougall, Finn Grinton, Ollie Larsen

Girls: Reid Hart

About ZEAL Optics: At ZEAL, we build the highest quality eyewear for people like us who live for outdoor adventure. But that is just the beginning of our adventure. We focus on more than just being an eyewear company. We are guided by a simple set of beliefs: Use Less, Give Back, Explore More.

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