Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Canada's most-played junior golf tour, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), brought its Mini Tour to Joanne Goulet Golf Course in Regina, SK, on June 26, where a talented field of golfers aged 12U competed across five divisions. With custom medals, ZEAL Optics sunglasses, and qualifying spots into MJT Mini Tour Nationals at Tsawwassen Springs in British Columbia, later this summer, on the line, young athletes had plenty to play for.

Twelve-year-old Caleb O'Brien of Melville, SK, fired an even-par 64 to top the MJT Boys 11-12 division, highlighted by five birdies. O'Brien's approach throughout the round was to ‘play the course, not the players in my group,’ adding that success came from ‘making pars and keeping the ball in play. Make good shots and play safe.’

After matching at 75 in the MJT Girls 11-12 division, 11-year-olds Addison Cote of Estevan, SK, and Makinlee McCrystal of Regina, SK, battled through an exciting three-hole playoff before Cote sealed the victory with a tap-in par on the final extra hole. Cote credited her preparation to her brother, saying, "My brother has been helping me practice," while also sharing that she ‘had a lot of fun and met new friends.’

Regina's 10-year-old Jerry King Zhao put together a standout round of 70, recording two birdies and an eagle on his way to the MJT Boys 9-10 division title. His game plan was simple: ‘Play well, drive far and try to putt pars.’ Reflecting on the closing holes, Zhao said, "When I was at hole 17, I thought I'm second place, but you might win it, you might lose it, who knows."

Mae McTavish, 10, of Canora, SK, posted a winning score of 71 in the MJT Girls 9-10 division. Down the stretch, her focus remained on ‘doing my best,’ and she gave the tournament a glowing review, rating it ‘10/10 because it's so fun and Jeff (MJT Tournament Director) is so nice.’

Prince Albert's Aleksander Sierzycki, age eight, carded an 83 to capture top honours in the MJT Boys 8U division. His strategy throughout the round was to ‘stay calm and stick to the basics,’ and feedback for the tour was simple: ‘Keep going what you're doing, 10/10.’

 

Top finisher scores and the list of qualified players are noted below. Full results, as well as winners of the Closest-to-the-Pin competition are posted on the MJT website here.
 

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the province is the MJT Mini Tour at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club, in Saskatoon, on July 26. For more information, or to view the upcoming Saskatchewan MJT Mini Tour schedule, please visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

MJT Boys 11-12: Joanne Goulet GC: Par 64, Ydg 5000, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Caleb O'Brien (12), Melville, SK | 64

2. Jace Fehr (12), Hague, SK | 67

3. Sammie Seifert (11), Consul, SK | 74

 

1. Addison Cote (11), Estevan, SK | 75 *Won Playoff

2. Makinlee McCrystal (11), Regina, SK | 75

3. Kensi Bourassa (12), Saskatoon, SK | 77

MJT Boys 9-10: Joanne Goulet GC: Par 64, Ydg 4500, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Jerry King Zhao (10), Regina, SK | 70

2. Jameson Fox (9), Herbert, SK | 78

2. Luka Johns (9), Fort Qu’Appelle, SK | 78

MJT Girls 9-10: Joanne Goulet GC: Par 64, Ydg 4500, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Mae McTavish (10), Canora, SK | 71

2. Aria Shoffner (8), St. Denis, SK | 90

MJT Boys 8U: Joanne Goulet GC: Par 64, Ydg 3600, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Aleksander Sierzycki (8), Prince Albert, SK | 83

2. Xander Erdie (8), Estevan, SK | 91

3. Edison Ross (7), Regina, SK | 98

 

Qualified Players
MJT Mini Tour Nationals (those who have not previously qualified)
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