Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

An impressive turnout of nearly 80 juniors participated in the Atlantic Canada circuit of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one junior tour, over the June 8-9 weekend, competing in either the one-day Mini Tour for 12U or a two-day U19 Junior Tour at Sussex Golf and Curling Club in Sussex Corner, NB.  Results from the Junior Tour stop, which was part of the national MJT Zeal Series, are detailed below. 

 

Unpredictable spring weather was handled by the Junior Tour players who were battling for titles in six divisions along with the chance to qualify for three major events: the MJT 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 score from the furthest tees for Girls and Boys respectively went to Callie Taylor, 18, of Quispamsis, NB, in the MJT Girls 15-19 division and Kooper MacKay, 15, of Wolfville, NS, in the MJT Juvenile Boys division. Other top performing division winners were Sihan Dong, 12, of Campbellton, NB (MJT Girls U15), Borden Nicholson,11, of Pictou, NS (MJT Peewee Boys), Carter Lavigne, 14, of Moncton, NB (MJT Bantam Boys), and Blake Wilson, 16, of Windsor Junction, NS (MJT Junior Boys). Notable mention goes to Caleb LeBlanc, 16, from Dieppe, NB, in the MJT Junior Boys division, who aced a hole-in-one on the 13th hole during the second round.

 

Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners, who were each rewarded with a stylish pair of Zeal sunglasses, are noted below, together with the list of qualified players. Results from the Projekt/2UNDR Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards, and Academy Points standings, are posted here; for full tournament results, please visit the MJT website here.

 

The next stop in the region is the MJT adidas Golf Series at Amherst Golf Club in Amherst, NS, on June 22-23, 2024. To register or for more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

1. Sihan Dong (12), Campbellton, NB | 76, 87            (163)   

2. Lila Bishop (12), Port Williams, NS | 95, 84 (179)   

3. Frédérique Doiron (14), Dieppe, NB | 91, 91 (182)
 

Twelve-year-old Sihan Dong from Campbellton, NB, delivered a strong performance in MJT Girls U15, pulling away from the field and carding the lowest female score on day one. To stay focused under pressure, Dong revealed, "I ate a lot of snacks and didn't give up." She embraced the tournament as a learning opportunity, stating, "It was a good experience, and through the game, I found out more about where I need to improve."

 

1. Callie Taylor (18), Quispamsis, NB | 77, 74 (151)

2. Riley Partington (16), Fredericton, NB | 81, 84 (165)         

3. Rachel Steeves (17), Quispamsis, NB | 82, 86 (168)
 

Callie Taylor, an 18-year-old from Quispamsis, NB, soared to victory with a 14-stroke lead in the MJT Girls 15-19 division. Reflecting on her preparation, Taylor shared, "Over the last couple of weeks, I spent on average two hours a day, six days a week on the short game area." She also emphasized the importance of mental preparation, adding, "For the mental side, I spent some time working with a sport psychologist." This win provides a significant confidence boost for Taylor as she moves into the season. "I look forward to seeing what I can accomplish this summer," she expressed, eager for the challenges ahead.

 

1. Borden Nicholson (11), Pictou, NS | 97, 84 (181)   

2. Miguel Poirier (10), Bouctouche, NB | 104, 102 (206)       

3. Mikael LeBlanc (12), Bouctouche, NB | 139, 116 (255)

 

Borden Nicholson, an 11-year-old from Pictou, NS, displayed remarkable dedication and resilience in the tournament to secure the MJT Peewee Boys title. Nicholson shared, "I played a lot of practice rounds and worked on my short game." Despite facing challenges, he stayed positive, stating, "I had a tough first day, but I stayed positive and played my game." His efforts paid off as he secured the victory, expressing that ‘this win is important to me to keep my confidence and game strong.’

 

1. Carter Lavigne (14), Moncton, NB | 73, 76 (149)   

2. Nathan MacDonald (13), Fall River, NS | 79, 75 (154)        

3. Finn Grinton (13), Brookfield, NS | 80, 77 (157)
 

Carter Lavigne, a 14-year-old from Moncton, NB, won the MJT Bantam Boys title in style after firing fine rounds of 73-76.  "For this tournament, I liked to listen to music and think about what I want to do on each hole," Lavigne explained regarding his pre-event preparation. "Physically, I will stretch for a few minutes and go through my routine.”

 

1. Kooper MacKay (15), Wolfville, NS | 76, 69 (145)  

2. Tristan Frenette (16), Rothesay, NB | 76, 75 (151)

2. Jesse Savoie (15), Roachville, NB | 70, 81 (151)     

3. Braden Ahern (16), Riverview, NB | 78, 77 (155)

 

Kooper MacKay, a 15-year-old from Wolfville, NS, was the sole participant to break par with an outstanding closing round of 69, securing not only the MJT Juvenile Boys title but also the Boys Low Overall accolade. Reflecting on his achievement, MacKay expressed, "It feels amazing and gives me confidence that I can go low in big situations." His ability to stay focused and composed under pressure was evident as he shared, "I just imagine that I'm still early in the round and keep telling myself the same things and keep doing the same things." 

 

1. Blake Wilson (16), Windsor Junction, NS | 72, 76 (148)     

2. Chase Burgess (17), Petitcodiac, NB | 75, 76 (151)

3. Zachary Gaudet (17), Truro, NS | 79, 74 (153)

 

MJT veteran Blake Wilson, 16, from Windsor Junction, NS, soared to victory with an impressive scorecard of six birdies and an eagle, securing the coveted top spot in the MJT Junior Boys category. Wilson shared, “I trusted my swing and made sure to just stay in it mentally and keep playing hole-by-hole and not think about the end result.” His unwavering focus, especially in the intense closing stages, proved instrumental in his success. “This win gives me confidence for the rest of the tournaments,” he added, emphasizing the significance of his achievement in propelling him forward.

 

MJT East Coast Junior Championship: Blake Wilson, Kooper MacKay, Carter Lavigne, Borden Nicholson, Callie Taylor and Sihan Dong

MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life: (Short-Listed) Callie Taylor and Kooper MacKay 

MJT Team Canada to Australia (Jack Newton International Junior Classic) Short-List: Kooper MacKay and Blake Wilson 

 

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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