Golf Editor

Litchfield Park’s Wheaton Ennis has been on a tear this year, both for the JGAA and on the national stage in AJGA events. Just this past week, Ennis came out victorious at the AJGA PGA Junior Championship out in Southern California.

With 260 junior golfers aged 8-18, the 2023 Thunderbird Junior Classic teed off June 20-21 at Camelback and Talking Stick Golf Club. JJ Brigowatz of Phoenix had himself a day at Camelback’s Padre Course in the final round as he caught fire and posted a seven-under-par 65 (lowest gross score of the tournament) to come from behind and claim his first victory of the season.

Brasen Briones of Tucson shot a final-round 4-under 68 to win in the Boys division while Alexis Vakasiuola of San Tan Valley put up a 3-over 75 on the girl’s side to win the 2023 State Junior Golf Championship held at Paradise Valley Country Club, June 19-20.

Alexis Lamadrid of Phoenix earns her first career AJGA win after carding 12 total birdies and published a 10-under par 206 at the Ben An Junior All-Star. Alexis took advantage of a second-round lead and hit the ground running to secure top honors by a resounding eight strokes.

Three spots were up for grabs yesterday at Pinnacle Peak Country Club for the USGA Girls Junior Am Qualifier. Izzy Piazza of Phoenix qualified to play in the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur with top medalist status, carding a 3-under-par 69, two strokes ahead of both Ailis Tribolet of Chandler and Kaitlyn Moreland of Scottsdale.

Tyler Spielman of Cave Creek qualified to play in the U.S. Junior Amateur with a first-place, 5-under-par 66, three strokes ahead of Owen Bolles of Chandler, (2-under-par 69) at Tatum Ranch Golf Club on June 12. After ending up in third place at even par 71, Arjun Somani of Scottsdale made the cut and advances to Charleston. For the final spot, it went down to the very end in dramatic fashion. Johnnie Clark of Mesa finished his round one-over 72 and forced himself into a playoff to squeak into the USGA championship. Clark managed to receive the 4th spot on the 2ND playoff hole with a birdie. Parker Bond of Phoenix qualified for the USGA Junior Amateur yesterday at The Meadows Course at Grand Valley State in Grand Rapids, Michigan.