Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Wild weather with winds gusting up to 65km per hour was battled through by a packed field of 110 players from three provinces on Canada’s #1 junior golf tour as they competed in the MJT Maui Jim Series at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon, SK, on June 1-2. Despite the weather and challenging course conditions, solid scores across all six age divisions highlighted the remarkable talent of the up-and-coming young Canadian golfers. The two-day tournament also served as a qualifier for three major events: the East Coast Junior Championship in Moncton, NB, MJT Team Canada to the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, and the MJT National Team Challenge in Fenwick, ON.

 

Low Overall in the Boys divisions went to MJT Juvenile Boys winner, Jack Maharaj, a 15-year-old from Saskatoon, SK, who carded strong scores of 73, 71=144. In the MJT Girls Divisions, 16-year-old Chloe Wills from Kyle, SK, captured both the MJT Girls 15-19 title and Low Overall honors with steady scores of 85, 84=169. Wills and Maharaj both qualified for the East Coast Junior Championship and are short-listed for the MJT National Team Challenge. 

Other top performing division winners were Ryan Chernoff, 19, of Estevan, SK, in MJT Junior Boys (147), Lucas Sturgeon, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, in MJT Bantam Boys (147), Grace Odnokon, 14, from Saskatoon, SK, in the MJT U15 Girls (158), and Kellen Hunter, 11, of Casa Rio, SK, who won in an exciting playoff for the MJT Peewee Boys (176).

 

Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners follow below. 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 MJT Junior Tour stop in the province is the MJT adidas Golf Series at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in Yorkton, SK, on June 15-16. To register or for more information, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com. 

 

 

1. Grace Odnokon (14), Saskatoon, SK | 80, 78 (158)

2. Sienna Taylor (14), Saskatoon, SK | 90, 87 (177)    

3. Youran (Yoyo) Zhu (13), Saskatoon, SK | 97, 97 (194)
 

Grace Odnokon, a 14-year-old from Saskatoon, SK, maintained a commanding lead throughout the tournament, extending her advantage from the first round into the second. Odnokon exclaimed, "I feel good about winning." She added, "It was great to play with Sienna (Taylor) again,” referring to the Girls U15 runner-up.
 

1. Chloe Wills (16), Kyle, SK | 85, 84 (169)      

2. Tayla Perry (15), Regina, SK | 91, 80 (171)

3. Grace Murphy (15), Lethbridge, AB | 85, 86 (171)

Chloe Wills, 16, from Kyle, SK, celebrated her second consecutive MJT victory. Wills secured both the MJT Girls 15-19 and Low Overall Girls titles, expressing that it ‘feels good to win.’

 

1. Kellen Hunter (11), Casa Rio, SK | 87, 89 (176) *Won playoff
2. Cooper Roberge (12), Lloydminster, AB | 89, 87 (176)

3. Emmett McDougall (11), Prince Albert, SK | 98, 94 (192)
 

Following a tie at 176 total score between 12-year-old Kellen Hunter from Casa Rio, SK, and Cooper Roberge, 12, of Lloydminster, AB, in the MJT Peewee Boys division, Hunter secured the title with a par finish on the second hole of the playoff. "(I feel) really good,” Hunter said, reflecting on his win. He added, "(there was) a lot of pressure on playoff holes.”
 

1. Lucas Sturgeon (14), Saskatoon, SK | 73, 74 (147)

2. Bennett Love (13), Red Deer, AB | 78, 73 (151)     

3. Hunter Oakden (13), Brandon, MB | 76, 78 (154)

 

With two consistent rounds, 14-year-old Lucas Sturgeon from Saskatoon, SK, showcased his skill by carding 10 birdies over two days to clinch the Bantam Boys title. Sturgeon reflected, “It was a wild ride with scores. It was a stressful event, but in the end, it was fun playing in the wind on the first day.”
 

MJT Juvenile Boys: Wildwood GC: Par 70, Ydg 5706, Slope/Rating 111/67.2
1. Jack Maharaj (15), Saskatoon, SK | 73, 71 (144)     

2. Brady Guenther (16), Saskatoon, SK | 76, 72 (148)

3. Griffin Blanch (16), Saskatoon, SK | 80, 73 (153)

 

“I feel quite relieved to win my division title today,” said Jack Maharaj, the Boys Low Overall and MJT Juvenile Boys winner. “My game was very consistent, and I had very good course management.” Maharaj joined the shortlist for MJT Team Canada to Australia along with his other qualifying spots.
 

1. Ryan Chernoff (19), Estevan, SK | 74, 73 (147)       

2. Solomon Ness (18), Saskatoon, SK | 76, 75 (151)   

3. Blake Derksen (17), Martensville, SK | 83, 74 (157)           

3. Brody Sawchyn (19), Saskatoon, SK | 80, 77 (157)
 

Ryan Chernoff, 19, the MJT Junior Boys winner from Estevan, SK, noted that this achievement ‘was a big accomplishment.’ Chernoff, who is now also shortlisted for MJT Team Canada to Australia, remarked, “My ball striking, and short game were the best they’ve ever been.”
 

 

East Coast Junior Championship: Grace Odnokon, Chloe Wills, Kellen Hunter, Lucas Sturgeon, Jack Maharaj, Ryan Chernoff

MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life: Chloe Wills and Jack Maharaj (Short-Listed)

Jack Newton International Junior Classic: Jack Maharaj and Ryan Chernoff (Short-Listed)

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