Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

An impressive turnout of over 75 juniors participated in the Atlantic Canada leg of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one Junior Tour, over the June 22-23 weekend, competing in either the one-day Mini Tour for 12U or a two-day U19 Junior Tour at Amherst Golf Club, Amherst, NS. Results from the Junior Tour stop, which was part of the national MJT adidas Golf Series, are detailed below. 

 

Junior Tour players enjoyed ideal conditions on day one but faced unpredictable weather in the final round. They battled for titles in six divisions and 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. The stakes were high, and the competition fierce, underscoring the skill and determination of these young golfers.

      

The Low Overall score for the Girls went to Annika Parkash, 17, of Halifax, NS, winner of the MJT Girls 15-19 division, while Boys Low Overall was won by Braden Ahern, 16, of Riverview, NB, in the Juvenile division. Parkash and Ahern were the eligible qualifiers to be shortlisted for the MJT National Team Challenge, while Ahern also joins the shortlist for MJT Team Canada to Australia this October.

 

Other top-performing division winners included Frédérique Doiron, 14, of Dieppe, NB (MJT Girls U15), Borden Nicholson, 11, of Pictou, NS (MJT Peewee Boys), and Nathan MacDonald, 13, of Fall River, NS (MJT Bantam Boys). Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners are noted below, together with the list of qualified players for the East Coast Junior Championship. 

 

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 invite-only MJT East Coast Junior Championship at Mountain Woods Golf Club Moncton, NB, on July 22-23. There are limited spots open for entry; juniors are invited to send a request to play to MJT Operations Manager, Luke Rundell, at lrundell@maplejt.com. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

1. Frédérique Doiron (14), Dieppe, NB | 87, 90 (177)

2. Lila Bishop (12), Port Williams, NS | 99, 91 (190)

3. Emma LeBlanc (13), Dieppe, NB | 100, 94 (194)

Fourteen-year-old Frédérique Doiron from Dieppe, NB, delivered a strong performance in the MJT Girls U15, pulling away from the field and carding the lowest female score on day one. To stay focused under pressure, Doiron revealed, "I tried to stay focus for the next shot and not focus on the scores of others." 

 

1. Annika Parkash (17), Halifax, NS | 90, 78 (168)

2. Neve Miller (16), Dieppe, NB | 92, 77 (169)
 

With a single-stroke victory, 17-year-old Annika Parkash from Halifax, NS, clinched both the MJT Girls 15-19 division and the Low Overall titles. Reflecting on her preparation, Parkash shared, "I prepared with a lot of short game to make sure I would be able to rely on my putting and chipping." She also emphasized the significance of this win, noting, "It’s good to see practice pay off, and I am excited for the rest of the tournament season."

 

1. Borden Nicholson (11), Pictou, NS | 83, 83 (166)

2. Holden Urquhart (12), Dartmouth, NS | 83, 86 (169)

 

Borden Nicholson, an 11-year-old from Pictou, NS, claimed his second MJT Division title in as many tournaments. When discussing his on-course composure, Nicholson commented, "I try to stay in a positive attitude." He also expressed gratitude, saying, "The MJT crew were helpful."

 

1. Nathan MacDonald (13), Fall River, NS | 78, 77 (155)

2. Liam Wheaton (13), Memramcook, NB | 81, 75 (156)

3. Mathis Landry (14), Dieppe, NB | 82, 78 (160)
 

Nathan MacDonald, a 13-year-old from Fall River, NS, narrowly won the MJT Bantam Boys title after firing fine rounds of 78-77.  When asked about his approach to staying composed, Lavigne shared, ‘just focusing on the next shot and trying to win the next hole.’

 

1. Braden Ahern (16), Riverview, NB | 76, 76 (152)

2. Kooper MacKay (15), Wolfville, NS | 79, 74 (153)

2. Duncan MacMullin (16), Eastern Passage, NS | 76, 77 (153)

 

Braden Ahern, a 16-year-old from Riverview, NB, secured not only his second MJT Juvenile Boys title but also the Boys Low Overall accolade. “The win means the world to me,” said Ahern, adding that he ‘looks forward to this tournament every year, so it feels awesome to win it.’ Commenting on his success, Ahern noted, “Before this year, I had never won a tournament, so going two for three so far feels amazing.”

 

1. Chase Burgess (17), Petitcodiac, NB | 76, 77 (153)

2. Colby Bent (17), Valley, NS |82, 72 (154)

3. Mason Hunter (16), Fredericton, NB | 81, 76 (157)

3. Blake Wilson (16), Windsor Junction, NS | 81, 76 (157)
 

MJT veteran Chase Burgess, 17, from Petitcodiac, NB, secured the top spot in the MJT Junior Boys category, after carding four birdies. Burgess modestly credited ‘good sleeps’ as his preparation method ahead of the tournament. “It’s a confidence booster for sure,” he added, emphasizing the significance of his achievement in propelling him forward.

 

Annika Parkash; Holden Urquhart; Justin Dupuis; Ben Brown; Mason Hunter

MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life Short-List: Annika Parkash and Braden Ahern

MJT Team Canada to Australia (Jack Newton International Junior Classic) Short-List: Braden Ahern

 

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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