Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Young golfers from three provinces displayed their skills and determination in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mini Tour at JoAnne Goulet Golf Course in Regina, SK, on July 14, competing for titles in six divisions on the executive-length track. The 12U field were also vying for coveted qualifying spots in the MJT Mini Tour National Championship, set to take place in Tsawwassen, BC, this August.
 

Notable performances resulted in division wins by Hudson Lien, 12, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Boys 11-12 (70), Alyxa Melsted, 11, of Wynyard, SK, in MJT Girls 11-12 (78), Hudson Deibert, 9, from Regina, SK, in MJT Boys 9-10 (70), Makinlee McCrystal, 9, from Regina, SK, in MJT Girls 9-10 (85), Jerry King Zhao, 8, of Regina, SK, in MJT Boys 8U (69), and Mae McTavish, 8, of Canora, SK, in MJT Girls 8U (79).
 

Top finisher scores along with quotes from each division winner are noted below. Full results are posted on the MJT website here.
 

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the province is at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, SK, on July 28.  More information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour can be found online at www.maplejt.com.

 

MJT Girls 11-12: Goulet Golf Course: Par 64, Ydg 3100, Slope/Rating 120/67.9
1. Alyxa Melsted (11), Wynyard, SK | 78        

2. Natalie Maunula (12), North Battleford, SK | 85    

3. Eva Gedak (12), Estevan, SK | 108

Eleven-year-old Alyxa Melsted from Wynyard, SK, continues to dominate the winners' circle this season in the MJT Girls 11-12 Division. Celebrating her success, Melsted exclaimed, "My confidence went up a lot because I shot my personal best!" Clearly, she's not just breaking records but also raising her own bar. When asked about her strategy, she revealed, "I focus on my next shot and take it hole by hole.”

MJT Girls 9-10: Goulet Golf Course: Par 64, Ydg 2800, Slope/Rating 114/65.9
1. Makinlee McCrystal (9), Regina, SK | 85     

2. Emma Hallam (10), Whitewood, SK | 86    

3. Addison Cote (9), Estevan, SK | 88

 

Makinlee McCrystal, the 9-year-old talent from Regina, SK, continues to shine as a frequent podium finisher. With her strategic advantage of proximity to the course, McCrystal stated, "I practiced a lot.” Her confidence on the course is evident, as she emphasized, ‘knowing I can recover from any shot,’ helps her game. Looking ahead with enthusiasm, McCrystal said, "I’m excited for the rest of the season." McCrystal proves that hard work, resilience, and a bit of home advantage go a long way!
 

MJT Girls 8U: Goulet Golf Course: Par 64, Ydg 2800, Slope/Rating 105/63.1
1. Mae McTavish (8), Canora, SK | 79

Mae McTavish, 8, from Canora, SK, is making waves after honing her skills at home. "I've been practicing at home with my dad," McTavish proudly shared, revealing the secret behind her impressive performance. With her sights set on future tournaments, she enthusiastically added, "I'm looking forward to the next few tournaments." Rating the event a perfect "10," McTavish showed her appreciation for the competition and the fun-filled atmosphere: “This was another great event!" 

 

1. Jerry King Zhao (8), Regina, SK | 69

2. Jozef Sierzycki (8), La Ronge, SK | 79          

3. Aleksander Sierzycki (6), La Ronge, SK | 95

Jerry King Zhao, 8, from Regina, SK, clinched his maiden victory on the MJT in spectacular fashion with a commanding 10-stroke lead. When asked about his winning formula, Zhao shared, "stay calm and be focused," emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure under pressure. He modestly added, "hit every shot nicely and carefully," demonstrating his meticulous approach to each swing.
 

1. Hudson Deibert (9), Regina, SK | 70           

2. Cohen Bridge (10), Corman Park, SK | 75   

3. Bennett Bechtold (10), Moose Jaw, SK | 78

Nine-year-old Hudson Deibert from Regina, SK, stated his winning strategy behind his first win of the MJT season was ‘working on my swing and putting.’ Thinking about his method, Deibert shared, "I just stayed focused on every shot," proving that even at a young age, concentration is key. Rating his overall experience, Hudson gave it a glowing "10/10, just keep being awesome.”
 

1. Hudson Lien (12), Calgary, AB | 70

2. Parker Hallam (12), Whitewood, SK | 72    

3. Minxing Matt Li (11), Surrey, BC | 72

In a closely contested field, Hudson Lien, a 12-year-old from Calgary, triumphantly took the division title back to Alberta. Considering his approach to victory, Lien shared, "I think about my happy places and focus on staying positive.” For Lien, the victory had extra meaning: "My family and dad are from Regina, so it felt important to win.” Lien left no doubt about his experience as he rated the event a perfect ‘10/10, great event and great course.’

 

Girls 8U: Already qualified 

Boys 8U: Jerry King Zhao

Girls 9-10: Emma Hallam

Boys 9-10: Hudson Deibert

Girls 11-12: Natalie Maunula

Boys 11-12: Jacob Son

 

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