Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour, made a big splash at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alberta, on July 16-17, with the MJT Maui Jim Series finale. Over 100 junior golfers from across the region tackled the club’s meticulously crafted Aspen and Spruce courses, each packed with unique challenges. The competition was fierce at this stop, the last of six events in the Maui Jim Series, and the awarding of a stylish pair of Maui Jim sunglasses to each of the division winners was a hit under sunny skies.

 

Participants were 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. 

 

The event was packed with thrilling highlights including a hole-in-one and two nail-biting playoffs. The perfect shot came on the par-three fifth hole of the Aspen course, where 15-year-old Jacob Lin from Calgary, AB, wielded his trusty five iron to deliver an ace. The first playoff, in the MJT Peewee Boys division, saw Edwin Park, 11, of Bentley, AB, emerge victorious over Jacob Brunette, 12, of Calgary, AB, after a tense battle. Following closely behind was the MJT Girls U15 playoff, where Raylee Denton, 14, of Red Deer, AB, fended off Shylee Kostiuk, 14, of Spruce Grove, AB, after an epic three extra holes.

Low overall honours for Girls and Boys respectively went Sophie Dhaliwal, 17, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Girls 15-19 (69,78=147) and Jaden Patel, 19, of Airdrie, AB, in MJT Junior Boys (72,73=145). Following their division wins, both Dhaliwal and Patel have been short-listed for Team MJT at the National Team Challenge in Ontario this September.

Other leading performances resulted in division wins for Sean Kelly, 16, of Innisfail, AB, in MJT Juvenile Boys (146) and Jeevin Dhaliwal, 14, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Bantam Boys (146).

 

Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners are noted below along with the list of qualified players. For full tournament results, please visit the MJT website here; results from the Projekt/2UNDR Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points standings are posted here.
 

The next stop in the province is the MJT Northern Alberta Xtreme Classic (CLGA Championship) at Turner Valley Golf Club in Turner Valley, AB, August 1-2, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

MJT Peewee Boys: Aspen/Spruce: Par 72, Ydg 4963, Slope/Rating 112/64.2

1. Edwin Park (11), Bentley, AB | 81, 74 (155) *Playoff Winner

2. Jacob Brunette (12), Calgary, AB | 76, 79 (155)      

3. Niko Tran (11), Calgary, AB | 83, 90 (173)

In an electrifying battle for the MJT Peewee Boys title, Edwin Park, an 11-year-old from Bentley, AB, went head-to-head with Jacob Brunette, 12, hailing from Calgary, AB. Locked in a dead heat at 155 after regulation play, the tension soared as they embarked on a playoff that stretched into two extra holes. With nerves of steel, Park seized the victory with an impressive even par finish. Reflecting on his triumph, Park revealed, "I prepared myself with a bright mindset and I pushed myself to do my best no matter the cost." 

 

MJT Bantam Boys: Aspen/Spruce: Par 72, Ydg 5784, Slope/Rating 124/67.7
1. Jeevin Dhaliwal (14), Calgary, AB | 72, 74 (146)     

2. Jayden Arnold (13), Calgary, AB | 75, 72 (147)       

3.  Jayden Popik (14), Sherwood Park, AB | 74, 75 (149)
 

Jeevin Dhaliwal, a 14-year-old from Calgary, AB, delivered an even-par performance on round one and capped off the tournament with an impressive eight birdies. Contemplating his success, Jeevin shared, "I want to keep my game rolling in the right direction and build off this in the future." He added, "This tournament taught me to never give up and gives me the confidence that I can play well at any course, even tough courses like this." It seems Jeevin’s game is soaring higher than his birdie count!

MJT Juvenile Boys: Aspen/Spruce: Par 72, Ydg 6605, Slope/Rating 135/71.5

1. Sean Kelly (16), Innisfail, AB | 72, 74 (146)

2. Matthew Keane (16), Calgary, AB | 73, 75 (148)    

3. Maciver Davis (16), Sherwood Park, AB | 78, 73 (151)

Sean Kelly, 16, from Innisfail, AB, proudly kept the trophy local with a solid performance. "I practiced all day Monday, made sure I ate really well, and got the most amount of sleep that I could," he shared, clearly detailing his preparation routine. "Coming in, with all the pressure on me as Innisfail Golf Club being my home course, I made sure I committed to every swing and kept a good head on my shoulders.”
 

1. Jadan Patel (19), Airdrie, AB | 72, 73 (145)

2. Jared Code (17), Calgary, AB | 76, 73 (149)            

3. Noah Graham (17), Calgary, AB | 79, 73 (152)       

3. Noah Kehler (17), Calgary, AB | 76, 76 (152)          

3. Kenny Taylor (17), Edmonton, AB | 74, 78 (152)

Jadan Patel, 19, hailing from Airdrie, AB, and a seasoned MJT veteran, shared his unconventional approach to success on the green: "I just forget I'm golfing and when it was time to play, I just stayed focused.” Patel, who won by four strokes, added, “I love Innisfail, it's one of my favorite courses. So, to win here is a dream come true.” 

MJT Girls U15: Aspen/Spruce: Par 72, Ydg 4963, Slope/Rating 128/68.6
1. Raylee Denton (14), Red Deer, AB | 76, 78 (154) *Won Playoff

2. Shylee Kostiuk (14), Spruce Grove, AB | 76, 78 (154)         

3. Kaleia Kurylo (12), Edmonton, AB | 94, 80 (174)

 

Raylee Denton, 14, from Red Deer, AB, and Shylee Kostiuk, also 14, from Spruce Grove, AB, were neck and neck at 154, pushing the tournament into a thrilling three-extra-hole playoff. Denton emerged victorious, clinching the win with grit and determination. "I came to the tournament with a positive attitude and plenty of practice and preparation," she shared. "This win has given me a lot of confidence going into high-pressure golf." The competition may have been fierce, but Denton's positive vibes and practice paid off in style.

 
MJT Girls 15-19: Aspen/Spruce: Par 72, Ydg 5784, Slope/Rating 137/73.3
1. Sophie Dhaliwal (17), Calgary, AB | 69, 78 (147)    

2. Emma Liu (17), Edmonton, AB | 80, 80 (160)         

3. Cianna Law (17), Calgary, AB | 85, 79 (164)

Seventeen-year-old Sophie Dhaliwal, from Calgary, AB, swung her way to victory with the lowest round one score of the tournament, an impressive 69, 3-under par. "This win and my first day score will definitely boost my confidence in my ability to lower my scores," she exclaimed, already planning her future dominance on the greens. "I hope that this tournament will push me towards more wins and lower scores," she added.

 

Team MJT at the National Team Challenge Short-Listed Position: Sophie Dhaliwal and Jaden Patel

MJT Team Canada to Australia (JNJG International) Short-Listed Position: Sean Kelly and Matthew Keane

 

About Maui Jim: Now the fastest growing premium polarized sunglass maker in the world, Maui Jim got its start seeing a need in the market for technology that could combat intense glare and harmful UV while bringing brilliant colors to life.  The Aloha Spirit permeates our philosophy at Maui Jim. Our "ohana" (Hawaiian for family) is passionate about creating the best sunglasses on the planet. Because at the end of the day, we want to see the world at its best - and we know that you do, too, no matter where you live. Aloha, friends! To visit the website, click here.

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