Golf Editor

Chaz Aurilia of Phoenix fired a final-round 8-under-par 64, the low round of the tournament by three strokes, to win the Thunderbird Invitational – PING Junior Masters by five strokes. Aurilia, who finished at 9-under-par 135 (71-64) for the tournament, scorched the par 5s at Papago Golf Course both days with birdies on three of the four in the first round followed by back-to-back eagles and two birdies in the second round to go 9-under par for the eight holes.

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) is hosting the 25th annual Thunderbird Invitational, which tees off at Papago Golf Course March 2-3. The field features 84 of Arizona’s best junior golfers (48 boys and 36 girls) ranging in age from 13-18 competing in the third PING Junior Masters Series tournament on the 2019 JGAA schedule of events.

Gunnar Broin of Chanhassen, Minnesota sat three strokes off the pace after a first-round 70 before finally overtaking the field by three strokes with a second-round 68 to win the Raven Invitational – Fisher Bryan Golf Academy (FBGA) – PING Junior Masters.

The Raven Invitational – Fisher Bryan Golf Academy (FBGA) – PING Junior Masters Series is set for play this weekend, February 16-17, at Raven Golf Club Phoenix. The 36-hole, invitation only junior golf tournament marks the JGAA’s second PING Junior Masters Series event of 2019 attracting Arizona’s top junior golfers.

The Phoenix Metro Junior Championship sponsored by Van’s Golf Shops teed off February 9-10 with a field of more than 200 junior golfers – boys and girls – ages 8-18 competing in five age groups in a 36-hole tournament held at Ahwatukee Country Club and Arizona Golf Resort.

The Wigwam Invitational, sponsored by Warren Schutte Players Academy, the first PING Junior Masters Series tournament of the season, teed off January 26-27 at Wigwam Golf Club. After 36 holes of play, Ashley Menne of Surprise and Sydney Bryan of Mesa finished tied for first place with identical 4-over-par 148s (75-73).

The Wigwam Invitational kicks off January 26-27 at Wigwam Golf Club and sponsored by Warren Schutte Players Academy and PING. This is the season’s first PING Junior Masters Series tournament – the 36-hole, invitation-only, series of events tailored to Arizona junior golfers with the desire and ability to compete locally against top-ranked peers.

The JGAA hosted the 2019 Itty Bitty Open Saturday, January 12 at 20 parks located in Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear and Maricopa.

Preston Summerhays, 16, of Scottsdale successfully defended his title at the 2019 New Year Classic held at Dobson Ranch and ASU Karsten Golf Courses January 19-20 with a 5-under-par performance (68-70—138).

We will have our annual JGAA College Golf Night on Wednesday, January 23rd at Papago Golf Course—see address below. This is a great opportunity to learn about the college recruiting process….