Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The sun wasn't the only thing blazing in Kelowna, BC, this past week. Over 70 junior golfers aged 19 and under turned up the heat with some incredible scores recorded in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s BC Order of Merit (OOM) Series at Okanagan Golf Club. Surrounded by majestic ponderosa pines and vibrant emerald fairways on the stunning Bear Course, young athletes showed impressive skills, competing for titles in six divisions and the opportunity to be short-listed for the MJT Team Canada to the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, in October, and the National Team Challenge in Fenwick, ON, this September. 
 

Austin Krahn, 16, from Christina Lake, BC, continued his brilliant play on the MJT, firing outstanding scores of 66,69 (135) to win Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys title once again, after last week’s victories in both the BC Junior and MJT’s Rivershore stops. Low overall honours for Girls went to Zhehui (Hui) Yu, 16, of Burnaby, BC, who won the MJT Girls 15-19 title with excellent rounds of 71,70 (141). Both Yu and Krahn are now short-listed for Team MJT at the National Team Challenge, with Krahn also short-listed for Australia.

 

 Another highlight unfolded in the MJT Juvenile Boys division, where Christopher Thomson, 16, from Kelowna, BC, triumphed in a playoff over Tyson Wicklund, also 16, from Vernon, BC, securing victory with a par finish on the first extra hole.

 

Other leading performances resulted in division titles for Velvet Haynes, 12, from Kelowna, BC, in MJT Girls U15 (160), Dylan Pandher, 13, of Delta, BC, in MJT Bantam Boys (149), and Wim Coderre, 12, from St. Albert, AB, in MJT Peewee Boys (176).

 

Top finisher scores, quotes from the division winners, and the list of qualified players are noted below. Results from the London Drugs Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here. 
 

The next stop in the province is the highly anticipated MJT Western Championship presented by adidas Golf taking place at Copper Point Golf Course in Invermere, BC, July 23-24, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

MJT Peewee Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5470, Slope/Rating 115/66.9
1. Wim Coderre (12), St. Albert, AB | 91, 85 (176)

2. Hunter Brandt (11), Langley, BC | 88, 89 (177)      

3. Wilson Dai (11), Vancouver, BC | 96, 88 (184)

 

Wim Coderre, a 12-year-old from St. Albert, AB, pulled off victory by just a single stroke after two incredibly close rounds. When asked about his secret to success, Coderre revealed: "I prepared mentally by not worrying about my score ever, and knowing I will have bad shots." He added, "Physically, I practiced every day." With that kind of laid-back attitude and relentless dedication, it's no wonder Coderre came out on top.

 

MJT Bantam Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 115/66.9
1. Dylan Pandher (13), Delta, BC | 73, 76 (149)          

2. Lucas Vizzutti (14), Powell River, BC | 79, 72 (151)

3. Kobe Menzies (14), Coldstream, BC | 80, 76 (156)

3. Kolton Matthews (13), Kelowna, BC | 76, 80 (156)

 

Thirteen-year-old Dylan Pandher from Delta, BC, swung his way to his first win of the MJT season. "I prepared for this tournament with lots of practice and hard work," Pandher shared, proving that dedication pays off. When asked how he stayed cool under pressure, he stated, "I stayed focused by focusing on my own game and reaching my goal."

MJT Juvenile Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 6481, Slope/Rating 130/70.2

1. Christopher Thomson (16), Kelowna, BC | 72, 78 (150) *Won playoff      

2. Tyson Wicklund (16), Vernon, BC | 75, 75 (150)

3. Kingsley Duong (16), Kelowna, BC | 74, 79 (153)

 

Christopher Thomson, 16, from Kelowna, BC, and Tyson Wicklund from Vernon, BC, ended their two rounds tied at 150, forcing a playoff. It all came down to the first extra hole, where Thomson clinched victory with a par finish. Reflecting on his win, Thomson said, "Confidence has definitely increased and I'm excited for my next tournament." He rated the tournament: "10/10, it was a great event." 

 

1. Austin Krahn (16), Christina Lake, BC | 66, 69 (135)           

2. Oakley Mayner (17), Kelowna, BC | 69, 69 (138)

3. Milan Sangha (17), Victoria, BC | 72, 68 (140)        

3. Kyle Dale (18), Kelowna, BC , | 71, 69 (140)            

3. Max Hager (18), Kelowna, BC | 67, 73 (140)

 

Christina Lake’s 16-year-old Austin Krahn proved once again why he’s an MJT veteran and a podium rockstar. Firing an exceptional round one score of 66, an impressive 6-under par, and a fine round two at 69, Krahn made it clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with. "I just have to make sure to be rested and ready every time I step up to the tee," he shared. “I always trust my routine and always commit to every shot.” When it came to the competition, Krahn summed it up perfectly: "The level of golf was very high, and it was a lot of fun."

 

MJT Girls U15: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 130/73.0
1. Velvet Haynes (12), Kelowna, BC | 79, 81 (160)     

2. Arianna Cao (12), Surrey, BC | 95, 99 (194)

 

Twelve-year-old Velvet Haynes from Kelowna, BC, made sure this win stayed right at home, shooting 79-81 (160) to run away with the MJT Girls U15 title in style.

MJT Girls 15-19: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 130/73.0

1. Zhehui (Hui) Yu (16), Burnaby, BC | 71, 70 (141)    

2. Eva Hogue (17), Edmonton, AB | 76, 78 (154)        

3. Darwyn Kormany (17), Kelowna, BC | 77, 85 (162)

 

Zhehui (Hui) Yu, a 16-year-old from Burnaby, BC, has been on quite the winning streak! Fresh off a recent MJT victory at Rivershore Golf Links, Yu brought her ‘A-game’ to this tournament with two excellent under-par rounds of 71 and 70. “I came right here from a win in Kamloops, so I was pretty excited and definitely in a good head space,” she confessed, clearly riding high on her recent success. As if that wasn’t enough, Yu is now heading to Washington with another win under her belt. “I believe it's a great boost to my self-esteem,” she added.
 

Team MJT at the National Team Challenge Short-Listed Position: Zhehui (Hui) Yu and Austin Krahn

MJT Team Canada to Australia (JNJG International) Short-Listed Position: Austin Krahn and Oakley Mayner

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