Quebecers Dominate MJT Ontario Series At Rebel Creek
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2020-08-14
PETERSBURG, Ontario — The birdie train arrived at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg, ON, where Quebecers won MJT Low Overall Boy and Girl titles on Canada's number one-played Junior Tour. With a talented field of players in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Ontario Series stop, this event had no shortage of talent and showmanship.
First off in the MJT Junior Boys division, 17-year old Hugo Denis carved up the course. The Saint Sulpice, QC, player, after carding a runner-up finish at his first career MJT event at Tangle Creek Golf Club, took it low at Rebel Creek Golf Club making 10 birdies and an eagle on his way to rounds of 66 and 71 (137) to win Low Overall Boy and the MJT Junior Boys title. “It’s a great feeling to win after coming in second at the last [event],” commented Denis.
2019 MJT National Girls Champion, Lydia St-Pierre, continued her perfect record on the MJT, picking up her second win in as many starts on the 2020 Ontario circuit. The 15-year old golfer from Levis, QC, fired 72 and 71 (143) to win the MJT Girls 15-19 Division by five shots. “I managed my stress quite good,” commented St-Pierre. “It makes me feel happy and I am proud to win this event.”
The title in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division was captured by 15-year old Grant Li, of Mississauga, ON. Li carded scores of 73 and 70 (143) to come back from a three-shot deficit after the first round and win the division by four shots. “It’s nice to beat a strong field,” commented Li. “I had been struggling with my long game recently and [this event] showed that I have the potential to do well.”
The beat goes on for 14-year old Tara O’Connor, in the MJT Girls U15 Division. The Guelph, ON, golfer shot 74 and 80 (154) to earn her third 2020 MJT win in as many starts, stating, “I did a good job of staying calm after I hit a bad shot. I hit the ball pretty consistently and it feels great to get the win even though I didn’t have my best [scores].”
Burlington, ON, resident Aiden Pavey edged out the victory in the MJT Bantam Boys Division with scores of 75 and 83 (158). The 13-year old MJT past champion earned his fourth career MJT title with his performance at Rebel Creek Golf Club. “It feels great to win because it was so close coming down the stretch,” remarked Pavey, who won the division by just one shot. “I just kept grinding.”
A playoff was needed in the MJT Peewee Boys Division between 11-year old players Brayden Card, of Cambridge, ON, and Dawson Lew, of Markham, ON. Card fired consistent rounds of 74 (148) while Lew shot 72 and 76 (148). Lew, who made an incredible birdie in the first playoff hole to take home the Hoselton trophy and his fourth career MJT title, said, “The key to my win was staying patient and playing each shot in the present. It feels nice to get the win in the playoff.”
Full results can be viewed here. The MJT Ontario Series at St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Club in Aurora is the next Junior Tour stop, taking place on August 15 and 16. More information can be found on the MJT website.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s number one-played 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 valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 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.