The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour. It is the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada.
The MJT hosts more than 60 events across the country, including free “Ford Go Golf” junior clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players, which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships and frequent player incentives to help reward player's 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.
This year, Battlefords own, 14-year-old Colby Friedrich, fired rounds of 71 and 77 (148) to win the MJT bantam boys title by five strokes. He was able to defeat both Thomas Sluka, 12, of Canmore, AB (81, 72=153) and Ryan Hodgins, 13, of Medicine Hat, AB (79, 74=153).
“I had solid ball striking and putted well,” said Friedrich. “I four-putted twice and Ryan Hodgins came within two strokes, so it was pretty close. It feels good to finally break through with my first victory on the MJT.”
In the 18 and under division, first and second place was won by the pair of Red Deer juniors in the MJT Junior Boys division. The low score overall went to 18-year-old Grant Numrich, who shot 75, 71 (146) to beat Michael Pruss, (73, 74=147) by one stroke.
“It feels great to win.” said Numrich. “To come back after the first day is always satisfying.” Both Pruss and his brother, Allen, were playing their last event as juniors, and are North Dakota-bound on hockey and golf college scholarships, crediting the MJT with helping develop their game.
Sixteen-year-old Cam Duffin of Red Deer, who ended up in fourth place in his division, made a hole-in-one on number three to win a special Miura Golf Gift certificate. He said he was wishing it was next weekend at the MJT Ford Series in Spruce Grove where juniors have a chance to win a car, but he was still pretty excited.
The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level.
