Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

More than 110 young golfers spanning three provinces gathered in Olds, Alberta, on June 24-25, for Ford-sponsored events on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s top junior golf tour. Held at the picturesque Olds Golf Course, a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, participants enjoyed either a free junior clinic sponsored by Cam Clark Ford or competed in the two-day elite tournament, the MJT Ford Series.

 

Players in the tournament were competing for titles in six divisions, the chance to win a new Ford Escape with a hole-in-one, and the opportunity to be short-listed for both 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. Results of the tournament are detailed below.

 

The golf course was in excellent condition and the weather cooperated on the first day, however, players encountered a challenging day two with winds testing the already fast greens. A standout moment unfolded in the MJT Peewee Boys Division as Erik Petersen, 12, from Okotoks, AB, clinched victory over Edwin Park, 11, after an intense four-hole playoff. The excitement didn't stop there. Immediately following was a thrilling four-way playoff for the MJT Juvenile Boys title. Harrison Kiziak from Fort Saskatchewan, AB, battled against Evan Evaskavich of Calgary, AB, Charles Greaves of Banff, AB, and Liam Czirjak of Rocky View County, AB, all 15 years old. After a nail-biting showdown, Kiziak emerged as the victor.

Connor Wenig, 17, from Camrose, AB, secured the Boys Low Overall title in the MJT Junior Boys division with impressive rounds of 74 and 76. Joining him as Low Overall Girl was Hannah Thomas, 12, hailing from Calgary, AB, who shot 72 and 77, and triumphed in the MJT Girls U15 division. Other notable performances resulting in division wins came from Saylar May, 15, from Rocky Mountain House, AB, in MJT Girls 15-19 (152), and Jayden Arnold, 13, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Bantam Boys (155). 

 

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

 

The next MJT Junior Tour stop in the province is the MJT Ford Series PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club, Calgary, AB, on July 2-4. For more information, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.

 

 

1. Hannah Thomas (13), Calgary, AB | 72, 77 (149)

2. Rhea Deo (14), Edmonton, AB | 75, 77 (152)

3. Raylee Denton (14), Red Deer, AB | 79, 81 (160)

 

Hannah Thomas from Calgary, AB, emerged victorious in the MJT Girls U15 Division, securing the Girls Low Overall title in the process. When asked about her secret to success, Hannah modestly shared, "I stuck to my routine." Consistency is key, but so is having a little fun along the way. She added, "I'm happy to play with talented golfers today. I was fortunate it was my day today."

 

MJT Girls 15-19: Olds GC: Par 72, Ydg 5445, Slope/Rating 127/71.1
1. Saylar May (15), Rocky Mountain House, AB | 73, 79 (152)

2. Olivia Johnson (15), Calgary, AB | 78, 76 (154)

3. Coryn Tardif (16), Sylvan Lake, AB | 75, 80 (155)

 

Saylar May from the MJT Girls 15-19 Division showed that mastering the mental game is just as important as the physical one. "It's all about practicing and getting in the right head space," May explained. "I stick to my routine and go one shot at a time." Saylor May is channeling her newfound confidence into her upcoming events in July, one Zen moment at a time.

 

1. Erik Petersen (12), Okotoks, AB | 78, 82 (160)
2. Edwin Park (11), Bentley, AB | 82, 78 (160)
3. Harrison Wells (12), Edmonton, AB | 81, 84 (165)

In a showdown in the MJT Peewee Division, Erik Petersen (12) from Okotoks, AB, and Edwin Park (11) from Bentley, AB, were neck and neck, tied at 160. After four intense extra holes, Erik Petersen emerged victorious. "I felt pretty stressed during the playoff and I just tried to think of it as any old hole," Erik admitted, undoubtedly fooling no one. "This win feels great because I am going down to California for some tournaments, so this is a huge confidence boost." 

 

1. Jayden Arnold (13), Calgary, AB | 68, 73 (141)

2. Lucas Sturgeon (14), Saskatoon, SK | 73, 75 (148)

3. Jayden Popik (14), Sherwood Park, AB | 73, 79 (152)
 

With seven birdies and two eagles to cap off the weekend, 13-year-old Jaden Arnold swooped in and claimed his MJT Bantam Division title, bringing the trophy home to Calgary. "Mentally, I came into the tournament with the mindset of one shot at a time," Jaden said. "I think that really helped me not get ahead of myself." As for his physical game, he shared, "I just made sure my driver was the best it could be." 

 

MJT Juvenile Boys: Olds GC: Par 72, Ydg 6519, Slope/Rating 132/71.2
1. Harrison Kiziak (15), Fort Saskatchewan, AB | 79, 75 (154)

2. Evan Evaskavich (15), Calgary, AB | 80, 74 (154) *Countback for 2^nd

3. Charles Greaves (15), Banff, AB | 79, 75 (154) *Countback for 3^rd

3. Liam Czirjak (15), Rocky View County, AB | 71, 83 (154)

In the most tightly contested field of the year, four Juvenile Boys battled in a nail-biting playoff. In dramatic fashion, 15-year-old Harrison Kiziak from Fort Saskatchewan, AB, snagged his first MJT Juvenile Boys title, outshooting challengers Evan Evaskavich of Calgary, AB, Charles Greaves of Banff, AB, and Liam Czirjak of Rocky View County, AB. "I knew going into the playoff that I needed to stay composed," Kiziak said, demonstrating wisdom beyond his 15 years. "I spent lots of time at the practice facility," he added, proving that his success wasn't just about staying cool under pressure but also about putting in the hours. With this victory, Kiziak has shown that practice makes perfect—and a little composure doesn’t hurt either.
 

MJT Junior Boys: Olds GC: Par 72, Ydg 6519, Slope/Rating 132/71.2
1. Connor Wenig (17), Camrose, AB | 74, 76 (150)    

2. Fin Vermette (16), Sylvan Lake, AB | 80, 71 (151)  

3. Alex Adler (17), Calgary, AB | 74, 77 (151)

 

Connor Wenig, 17, from Camrose, AB, clinched his first win by a single stroke in a close field. He credited his success to the intensive range sessions with his coach. "It was my first win, and it feels great for my confidence," Wenig said, adding, "I just focused on playing the shot I was hitting."
 

 

Team MJT at the National Team Challenge Short-Listed Position: Saylar May and Connor Wenig

MJT Team Canada to Australia (JNJG International) Short-Listed Position: Alex Adler and Finn Vermette

 

About Ford Canada: Ford of Canada and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) are proud to continue with the successful MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics - an initiative that introduces golf for free to young people, teaching them a game they can benefit from their entire lives. Many thousands of kids have participated in this program since 2006. Clinics have been held in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan where participating Ford Dealers offer free MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics conducted by PGA of Canada Professionals to children in their community. Ford and the Ford Dealers Association wish to support amateur sport in their communities by introducing children to golf, encouraging them to learn the fundamentals, and rewarding them for their efforts. www.ford.ca

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