The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) made a stop in Swift Current this past weekend for the second Team Saskatchewan Canada Summer Games qualifier at Elmwood Golf Club.
Nearly 120 players across six age groups were in the field from May 17 to 19.
In the under-15 women’s division Wynyard’s Alyxa Melsted has her first MJT win on the junior tour. The 12-year-old carded rounds of 88, 98, and 91 for a 54-hole total of 277, one shot lower than Zu Youran of Saskatoon. Placing third at 289 was North Battleford golfer Natalie Maunula.
It was a one-shot difference in the women’s under-19 category as well with Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon taking the championship. The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member opened with a 78 on Friday, she posted an 85 in round two, then finished with a 78 to hold off Chloe Wills of Kyle for the win. Wills went 73, 89, 80 over the weekend.
Camrose golfer Jayla Kucy rounded out the top three at 245 (83, 86, 76).
Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon was the overall champion on the men’s side. Sturgeon won the juvenile age group by three shots and the overall championship by a stroke.
Sturgeon opened with a 71, in round two the 15-year-old battled the elements for a 75, and in the final round he carded a 72 to win the tournament. Chase Strang of Airdrie was third in the under-17 age group; Calgary’s Jayden Arnold was third.
In the under-19 age division Christian Flick of Heritage Pointe, Alta. was the champion with a three-round score of 219 (70, 75, 74).
Brady Guenther of Saskatoon had a strong showing placing second at 221 (72, 76, 73), right behind him at 222 was another Saskatoon shooter, Jack Maharaj.
In the peewee age group another Alberta golfer took the title. Edmonton golfer Oscar Gosgnach won the under-13 category by 15 strokes.
Hudson Deibert of Regina placed second at 240 (83, 77, 80), Magrath, Alta. junior Jase Hansen was third at 257.
In the bantam (under-15) age group Regina’s Jun Lee performed fantastically to win the division. The Royal Regina Golf Club star shot 69 in round one, 79 on a blustery second day and 73 in round three to claim the win.
Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte was second at 227 (70, 83, 74). Cole Yurchak of Wainwright, Alta. was third at 231.
There were also two hole in ones in the event. Moose Jaw player Dayton Vickaryous aced hole eight on Friday. Wetaskiwin Alta. player Jay Kary got a one on hole four on Saturday.
To see the complete results click here.
The next MJT event is May 31 to June 1 in Lloydminster at the Golf and Curling Centre. This event will be used as a tune up for the Saskatchewan Junior Championships also hosted by the club. The Junior Championships will also be the final qualifier before the announcement of Team Saskatchewan for the Canada Summer Games. To register click here.
The Junior Order of Merit Tours (OMT) standings are up to date, to view the standings click here.
All images courtesy Jeff Chambers