Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The next generation of Canadian golf talent took center stage at Amherst Golf Club in Amherst, NS, on June 19, as the MJT Mini Tour East Coast Major welcomed top young competitors aged 12U from across the region. Hosted by the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's leading junior golf tour, the event ran alongside the MJT East Coast Junior Championship presented by adidas Golf, a nationally recognized championship that drew 19U golfers from across Canada to Nova Scotia. Together, the two tournaments attracted a combined field of over 80 athletes to Amherst for a weekend of high-level competition. Results from the MJT Mini Tour East Coast Major at Amherst Golf Club are detailed below.
 

With division titles, custom medals, and qualifying spots into MJT Mini Tour Nationals in British Columbia on the line, Atlantic’s rising stars embraced the opportunity to compete in a championship atmosphere and take another step in their golfing development.

 

Eighteen holes weren't enough to separate Boys 11-12 contenders Joshua Kennedy, 10, of New Hamburg, ON, and Cian O'Brien, 12, of Rothesay, NB, who both carded rounds of 84 to tie for the lead. The title was ultimately decided on the first playoff hole, where Kennedy emerged victorious to capture the division crown.

Representing Antigonish, NS, 10-year-old Lila Doiron posted a winning score of 92 in the MJT Girls 11-12 division. Doiron pointed to her father as a key influence on her golf journey, saying, “He coached me ever since I started,” and gave Amherst Golf Club a glowing review, rating the experience a ‘10/10.’

Home-course knowledge paid off for Amherst's own Callum Burge, who carded an 82 to top the MJT Boys 9-10 division. The nine-year-old credited both preparation and support from his father on the bag, noting, “My caddie really helped me pick the right club and stay focused. He is also my dad!”

Nine-year-old Ariyah Sock of Elsipogtog First Nation, NB, represented the MJT Girls 9-10 division where she carded a score of 119. Keeping things simple was the key, she outlined afterwards, as she focused on having fun and hitting straight drives throughout the round. Afterwards, Sock described Amherst Golf Club as ‘a really beautiful course’ and rated it ‘10/10.’

The MJT Boys 8U division also required extra holes, where eight-year-old Gabriel Kennedy of New Hamburg, ON, followed in his brother’s footsteps as a playoff winner and emerged victorious after one extra hole of play with Theodore Philippe Volikakis, 7, of Greenwood, NS. Both competitors finished regulation tied for the lead at 86 before Kennedy sealed the result. Reflecting on the closing stretch, he said, “Last 3 holes I needed birdies. I got one on 18 to make the playoff!”

Bedford, NS, golfer, Bree Wang, aged eight, captured top honours in the MJT Girls 8U division with a score of 93. Wang recognized her caddie and coach for their support throughout the event and summed up the experience simply: ‘Great event as always.’

Top finisher scores and the list of players who have not previously qualified are noted below. Full results, as well as winner of the Closest-to-the-Pin competition, are posted on the MJT website here.
 

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the region is the MJT Mini Tour at Kingswood Resort in Fredericton, NB, on August 1. For more information, or to view the upcoming Atlantic Canada MJT Mini Tour schedule, please visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

MJT Boys 11-12: Amherst GC: Par 71, Ydg 4000, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Joshua Kennedy (10), New Hamburg, ON | 84 *Won Playoff         

2. Cian O'Brien (12), Rothesay, NB | 84          

3. Alex Brown (11), Lower West River, NS | 97

 

1. Lila Doiron (10), Antigonish, NS | 92

2. Rylan Doiron (12), Antigonish, NS | 97       

3. Mia Chen (11), Bedford, NS | 102

MJT Boys 9-10: Amherst GC: Par 71, Ydg 3600, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Callum Burge (9), Amherst, NS | 82            

2. Hudson Reid (9), Greenwich, NS | 89         

3. Dylan MacDougall (10), Fall River, NS | 100

MJT Girls 9-10: Amherst GC: Par 71, Ydg 3600, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Ariyah Sock (9), Elsipogtog First Nation, NB | 119

MJT Boys 8U: Amherst GC: Par 71, Ydg 3000, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Gabriel Kennedy (8), New Hamburg, ON | 86 *Won Playoff
2. Theodore Philippe Volikakis (7), Greenwood, NS | 86        

3. Landon Reynolds (8), Miscouche, PE | 96

 

1. Bree Wang (8), Bedford, NS | 93    

2. Arlo DeGrace (7), Halifax, NS | 140

Qualified Players

MJT Mini Tour Nationals

Boys: Theodore Philippe Volikakis, Hudson Reid, Joshua Kennedy

Girls: Didn’t meet scoring requirements
 

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