Carman’s Makenzie Bartlett opened the 2026 junior golf season in impressive fashion, capturing her first-ever Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour title at the MJT Junior Worlds Qualifier presented by Maui Jim in Winnipeg.
Held May 9 and 10 at Kildonan Park Golf Course, the tournament marked the launch of the 2026 Manitoba season for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s leading junior golf circuit. The event drew a record-setting field for Manitoba, with 91 players aged 19 and under competing after the tournament was wait-listed weeks in advance. The qualifier was one of six national stops on the MJT’s Maui Jim Series in 2026.
Bartlett, 14, battled back with an outstanding second round to win the U15 Girls division by a single stroke. After opening with an 85, the Carman golfer fired a 75 on day two to finish with a two-round total of 160 and claim the title.
Winnipeg’s Angelina Sitarz finished second at 161 after rounds of 80 and 81, while Sadie Blazeiko of Winnipeg placed third with rounds of 85 and 91 for a total of 176.
“It feels amazing, especially because I have never (won) before,” Bartlett said following the victory. She also credited the condition of the course during the early-season event, saying “the course conditions were great considering that it was the start of the year.”
The win earned Bartlett qualification for the 2026 MJT East Coast Junior Championship and the 2026 FCG World Championship. She was also shortlisted for the Uswing Mojing Junior World Golf Championship.
In the Girls 15-19 division, Winnipeg’s Camryn Thomas claimed the title after rounds of 79 and 74 for a total of 153. Payton Chapman of Winnipeg placed second at 163, while Oakville’s Kora Montour finished third at 186.
The Peewee Boys division saw Winnipeg’s Ryan Small take top spot with rounds of 76 and 77 for a total of 153. Tiago Miranda of Winnipeg finished second at 157, while Jackson Kippen of Winnipeg placed third at 166.
In Bantam Boys action, James (Chenrui) Qiu of Surrey, B.C., carded rounds of 70 and 71 to win with a total of 141. Zack Cahill of St. Pierre Jolys placed second at 154, while Winnipeg’s Kai Lussier finished third at 160.
The Juvenile Boys division required a playoff after Hunter Oakden of Brandon and Ryder St. Laurent of Île Des Chênes both finished tied at 140. Oakden secured the victory after rounds of 69 and 71, while St. Laurent posted scores of 73 and 67. Morden’s Darren Hesom finished just one shot back in third place after rounds of 74 and 67 for a total of 141.
Another playoff was needed in the Junior Boys division, where Gavin Carver of La Salle emerged victorious after finishing tied at 142 with Winnipeg’s Liam Silvaggio and Tanner Grose of Laberriere. Carver rebounded with a tournament-best second-round 65 after opening with a 77, while both Silvaggio and Grose posted rounds of 72 and 70.
