Golf Editor

The Maricopa Junior Championship took place July 23 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Jake Goyen of Mesa managed to stay cool, calm, and collected in the intense heat. Goyen started the event at even par through the front nine. The tough and dry conditions led to a lot of difficult scoring opportunities, but that didn’t stop Goyen from capitalizing on birdie looks. Goyen finished with four birdies on the day to card a one-under 71 (36-35).

The Phoenix City Junior Championship took place July 20-21 at Legacy Golf Resort and Aguila Golf Course. Brennan Korn of Scottsdale kicked off the Boys Championship division at Aguila 18 three shots off the lead after finishing round one at 2-under 70. Andrew Bernthal of Phoenix was the man to beat after day one with a low round of five-under 67, including four-straight birdies on the final five holes. However, Korn caught fire in the final round and one-upped Bernthal’s 67 with a 66 of his own.

The PING Invitational took place July 17-18 at Grand Canyon University Golf Course. Dallin Delgado stole the show in the Boys Championship division by going low in red figures as he topped his impressive performance with a final round 8-under-par 63. Delgado of Mesa was off to the races in the opening round as he posted a 3-under 63 to begin the tournament with a one-stroke lead. Trailing right behind him in leaderboard was Brennan Korn of Scottsdale after round one. Dallin opened the gap in the final round due to his 6-under 30 on the back nine to extend his lead by seven strokes. The margin was too wide for the remaining players in the field as Delgado cruised into victory to secure his first victory of the 2023 JGAA season. Austin Plunkett of Paradise Valley took solo second at 4-under par (71-67). Gael Quesada of Phoenix finished third for the event after a 3-under par showing (71-68).

Tucson JGAA member Carlos Astiazaran won in the Boys 15-18 division at the 2023 IMG Academy Junior World Championship, held July 11-13 on San Diego’s Torrey Pines South Course.

Flagstaff’s Kendall McCain fired 8-under par at Kierland Golf Club to win the Boys Championship division at the Sam Schanafelt Summer Classic.

Dobson Ranch Golf Club and Viewpoint Golf Resort hosted the Mesa City Junior Championship, June 28-29. Brody Leid of Phoenix prevailed in a playoff against Nash Arthurs of Peoria after birdieing the first playoff hole to win the Boys Championship division, held at Dobson Ranch Golf Club.

The Elite Golf School Willie Low Invitational presented by MJ Insurance took place at Phoenix Country Club, June 26-27. In the first round, Nash Arthurs of Peoria finished with the outright lead at 4-under par (67), while Owen Bolles of Chandler and Tyler Spielman remained within striking distance.

Gracie McGovern of Scottsdale and Raegan Capizzi of Scottsdale have qualified and advanced to the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bel-Air Country Club. Gracie McGovern (-6) took total control to earn the low score, while Raegan Capizzi (three-under) earned one of the other four spots.