Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 5, 2024
Breslau, ON

MJT Mini Tour’s major qualifier at Merry-Hill launches 12U season in Ontario

The Ontario circuit of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mini Tour teed off its 2024 season for 12U players at the executive-style Merry-Hill Golf Club in Breslau, this past weekend, with qualifying for three major U13 Golf Championships up for grabs. 

Undaunted by the wet conditions, the Mini Tour golfers showcased their tenacity and passion for the game in six divisions. Winners of the Boys and Girls 9-10 and 8U divisions each earned direct exemptions into the hugely popular FCG Callaway World Championship in Rancho Mirage, California, this July, and all division winners qualified for the season-ending MJT Mini Tour National Championship in Tsawwassen, BC, this August. In addition, the low players in specific age categories were short-listed for the IMG Academy Junior Worlds in San Diego, California, also in July. 

The stellar results from the top finishers and quotes from division winners (Niklas Zierik, Angelina Chang, Jax Vescan, Zhixin Lu, James Plunkett, Islay Oh) are noted below. For Closest to the Pin Award winners, please visit the MJT website here.

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the province is at Centennial Park Golf Centre in Etobicoke, ON, on June 2, and will directly qualify young players for the MJT Mini Tour National Championship. To see the full 2024 MJT Mini Tour schedule, please visit the website as www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers

MJT Boys 11-12: Par 71, Ydg 4165, Slope/Rating 92/59.8

1^st: Niklas Zierik (10), Collingwood, ON | 65   

2^nd: Bentley McNamara (11), Woodstock, ON | 70    

3^rd: Nathan He (11), Toronto, ON | 74

In a dazzling display of skill, ten-year-old Niklas Zierik from Collingwood, ON, demonstrated his extraordinary talent by finishing an impressive 6-under par, laying claim to both the MJT Boys 11-12 title and the coveted low overall score. Zierik exclaimed, "I couldn’t be happier!" He candidly admitted to feeling ‘nervous coming into this tournament’ due to competing against older golfers, making his achievement even more remarkable.

MJT Girls 11-12: Par 71, Ydg 4165, Slope/Rating 92/59.8

1^st: Angelina Chang (10), Aurora, ON | 72      

2^nd: Angelina He (10), Toronto, ON | 76         

3^rd: Sophia Noh (10), Richmond Hill, ON | 77

Angelina Chang, 10, hailing from Toronto, won the MJT Girls 11-12 title after making a new personal record of finishing one over par. Chang also claimed the low overall girls score and walked away feeling ‘happy about (her) win.’

MJT Boys 9-10: Par 71, Ydg 4165, Slope/Rating 92/59.8

1^st: Jax Vescan (10), Mississauga, ON | 75

2^nd: Derek Zhao (10), Maple, ON | 76

3^rd: Bryce Wang (9), Markham, ON | 81

In an extremely strong field, the MJT Boys 9-10 title went to Jax Vescan of Mississauga, by a one stroke margin over Derek Zhao of Maple, ON. Reflecting on his victory, Vescan expressed that it ‘felt great to win’, highlighting that ‘(his) long game really came together.’

MJT Girls 9-10: Par 71, Ydg 4165, Slope/Rating 92/59.8

1^st: Zhixin Lu (10), Woodbridge, ON | 76

2^nd: Fiona Lin (9), Markham, ON | 82

3^rd: Cassandra Smith (9), Brampton, ON | 104

Zhixin Lu, 10, of Woodbridge, ON, won the MJT Girls 9-10 title by six strokes, starting out her MJT season in style.

MJT Boys 8U: Par 71, Ydg 3389, Slope/Rating 87/61.5

1^st: James Plunkett (8), Guelph, ON | 95        

2^nd: Emmett Pitton (7), Etobicoke, ON | 96

In an exciting race, James Plunkett, 8, from Guelph clinched his first tournament victory by one shot and seized the MJT Boys 8U division title. Reflecting on his performance, Plunkett noted, “Despite not putting great a few weeks ago, I felt that my putting was pretty good." 

MJT Girls 8U: Par 71, Ydg 3389, Slope/Rating 87/61.5

1^st: Islay Oh (8), Toronto, ON | 87

2^nd: Leanna Tsang (7), Maple, ON | 87

Another eight-year-old, Islay Oh, hailing from Toronto, ON, narrowly clinched the MJT Girls 8U title based on having the best back nine score after she tied for the lead with seven-year-old Leanna Tsang from Maple, ON. Oh expressed her elation, stating she was ‘happy’ with her remarkable finish after a double eagle on the 10th hole secured her the countback victory.  

Qualified and shortlisted Players: 

IMG Academy Junior World Championship: Niklas Zierik, Angelina Chang, Jax Vescan, Zhixin Lu, James Plunkett, Islay Oh

FCG Callaway World Championship: Jax Vescan, James Plunkett, Zhixin Lu, Islay Oh

MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC: Niklas Zierik, Angelina Chang, Jax Vescan, Zhixin Lu, James Plunkett, Islay Oh

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 & Communications Manager, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour