The 2023 Winter Classic teed off December 2-3 with junior golfers ages 8-18 from across the Valley competing in five age groups at Sun City West-Grandview and Sun City South Golf Course.
The JGAA announced the 2023 Player of the Year Awards and Sportsmanship Awards across five age divisions at the awards banquet presented by Troon at Papago Golf Course, November 28.
2023 JGAA Awards Banquet presented by Troon at Papago Golf Course, in Evie’s Pavilion.
The annual JGAA Fall Classic Presented by Elite Golf Schools Golf Club was in full swing, Nov. 4-5, at Lone Tree, Augusta Ranch and Las Colinas Golf Clubs. In the Boys Championship division at Lone Tree, the tournament kicked off with a tight leaderboard featuring ten players in the 60s.
Former JGAA golfer and current Virginia Tech Hokie Kobe Valociek made it to the winner’s circle for the first time in his collegiate career. The Virginia Tech senior carded an 11-under 205 (70-69-66) to become the first Hokie golfer to win an individual title since 2021.
Class of 2022 JGAA Alum Makenzie Cooper fired off three rounds in the 60s at the Evie Odom Invitational to secure her first collegiate victory. Cooper is a recent transfer from the University of Colorado and is off to a hot start with her new program (University of Chattanooga Mocs). The Litchfield Park native posted a school-record total of 203 (68-68-67), including a career-low three-under par 67. She captured the individual title by two strokes over host Old Dominion’s Puneet Bajwa in second (205).
Wheaton Ennis of Litchfield Park put on a clinic at the 2023 AJGA Invitational Presented by PING. Ennis kicked off the last round with a commanding nine-stroke lead. He managed to score three birdies on the first nine holes, but unfortunately, he lost ground with two bogeys on the 6th and 8th. However, as he made the turn, he maintained a comfortable enough lead to clinch the victory, despite finishing the back nine two strokes over par. Ennis finished with a 6-under-par 207 to win the Boys Division. The win marks his first AJGA Invitational victory.
JGAA Alum and Loyola Marymount University golfer Riley Lewis achieved an outstanding feat in the world of collegiate golf. The collegiate standout surpassed his own program record and etching his name into LMU’s history books as the first golfer to complete a 54-hole event with a score under 200. Lewis delivered three remarkable rounds in the 60s at the USF-Howard Intercollegiate at TPC Harding Park, concluding at a staggering 19-under par with scores of 67-68-62—197.
The 3rd Annual Legacy Cup was played this past weekend at Dobson Ranch Golf Course and the day was full of excitement and energy. The event was filled with 25 four person teams all vying to become the newest championship team of this wonderful JGAA Foundation event. Players were handed a swag bag at check-in that included SMASH headwear, golf balls, and a new Footjoy Hydro golf glove. Everyone was also encouraged to pick up some raffle tickets for both the Golf Car Raffle and the on site tournament raffle.
JGAA Alum and current ASU men’s golfer Preston Summerhays has played in a few PGA Tour events, including the 2022 WM Phoenix Open on a sponsor exemption. The Sun Devil captain will get another chance at this week’s Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa-North Course in Napa, Cali.
Summerhays shot 5-under 211 (62-67-72) and then beat Max Herendee of Illinois in a playoff to win the 72-player Sahalee Players Championship, hosted by the University of Washington, in Sammamish, WA.