Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 6, 2023
Winnipeg, MB
Maple Leaf Junior Tour hosts over 80 in St. Boniface stop; three major qualifiers feature on Mini Tour
The Manitoba circuit of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour had a great start to the non-profit program’s 25thanniversary season this past weekend at St. Boniface Golf Club in Winnipeg, where both Junior (U19) and Mini Tour(12U) events played out and over 80 young athletes participated. Results of the 12U event on May 6 are highlighted here, with qualifying for three major U13 Golf Championships up for grabs. Winners of the Boys and Girls 9-10 and 8U divisions, subject to FCG scoring criteria, earned direct exemptions into the 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 age-applicable low scorers in each age category were short-listed for the IMG Academy Junior Worlds in San Diego, California this July.
The day was a challenge for all players but James (Chenrui) Qiu of Surrey, BC, who played flawless golf and was the only player in the field to break par on the tree lined, classic layout at St. Boniface GC. Top results with quotes from each division winner are noted below.
The next stop in the province is the MJT Mini Tour at Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club in Steinbach, MB, on June 10, 2023. More information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, including the entire 2023 schedule, can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls 8U: St. Boniface GC: Par 74, Ydg 3000
1 Makinlee McCrystal, Regina, SK, F, 7 139
MJT Girls 9-10: St. Boniface GC: Par 74, Ydg 4200
1 Maisy Shewchuk, Winnipeg, MB, F, 10 85
2 Sadie Blazeiko, Winnipeg , MB, F, 10 111
“I drove into the bushes (on one hole), then I did a recovery shot then I drove it on the green with my five wood; I was so excited,” said MJT Girls 9-10 winner, Maisy Shewchuk, 10, of Winnipeg, who credited her chipping for a solid score of 85. “It feels great to win in my division and it gives me confidence that I can do it again.”
MJT Boys 8U: St. Boniface GC: Par 72, Ydg 3000
1 Hudson Deibert, Regina, SK, M, 8 85
2 Connor Hanska, Beulah, MB, M, 7 97
3 Joshua Fullante, Winnipeg, MB, M, 7 101
Hudson Deibert, 8, of Regina, SK, crossed the border to compete in MJT Boys 8U and ended up winning the Division title. Deibert said he ‘felt proud and happy,’ about his victory. “It helps me prepare for the rest of the season.”
MJT Boys 9-10: St. Boniface GC: Par 72, Ydg 4700
1 James (Chenrui) Qiu, Surrey, BC, M, 10 70
2 Haojun (Kevin) Zhu, Surrey, BC, M, 9 86
3 Ryan Small, Winnipeg, MB, M, 9 90
Ten-year old James (Chenrui) Qiu of Surrey, BC, made the trip to the tournament worth his while by firing a two-under 70 on the tough St. Boniface track, punching his ticket to the FCG Callaway World Championship with his MJT Boys 9-10 victory. “It feels good. This is my second title of the season,” said Qiu. “MJT is very good at helping young golfers.”
MJT Boys 11-12: St. Boniface GC: Par 72, Ydg 5600
1 Bryce Hanska, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, MB, M, 12 94
2 Colton Drul, Sunny Side, MB, M, 11 97
3 Asher Bunn, Beulah, MB, M, 11 116
Bryce Hanska, 12, of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, MB, played well and secured the MJT Boys 11-12 title by three shots. “I feel really good and really happy,” said Hanska. “My chipping and putting really helped me win.”
Qualifiers:
FCG Callaway World Championship – Direct Exemptions (subject to FCG scoring requirement): Maisy Shewchuk (Winnipeg), Hudson Deibert (Regina, SK), James (Chenrui) Qiu (Surrey, BC)
MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC: All division winners
IMG Academy World Championship – Short-Listed Positions: James (Chenrui) Qiu, Hudson Deibert, Maisy Shewchuk
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s number one-played 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 valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts 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.
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