Arizona represent! We are proud to announce that two of our alumni, Brian Blanchard and Sam Engel, have won the 9th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course. Scottsdale residents Brian Blanchard, 31, and his left-handed partner Sam Engel, 29, known as “Team Software,” clinched the title over two promising teenagers from Tennessee, Blades Brown, 17, and Jackson Herrington, 18, in the 18-hole championship match, winning 2-up.
Former Brophy standout and Fighting Illini golfer Michael Feagles started the final round five shots back of the top spot. The five-shot deficit was no match for Feagles as he went on a tear. The JGAA alum carded three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole to record a front-nine 31, 5-under par. He didn’t let up on the back nine as he finished the final round with a bogey-free scorecard and piling on three more birdies to come from behind and post the lowest score in the field.
May is dedicated to honoring members of our community who serve and protect our state as law enforcement officers. On behalf of the JGAA, we would like to express our gratitude to three notable JGAA Alumni: GraceMarie Schian, Kaylee Benton, and Ashley Ohland for their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe. Their dedication is indispensable in maintaining peace and upholding justice.
The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA), headed south for the Bruce Brown Yuma City Junior Championship at Desert Hills Golf Course, May 18-19. Nathan Ash of Tempe won the Boys Championship division by one stroke. Izzy Piazza won by a substantial margin in the Girls Championship division at even par for the event.
The annual Thunderbird High School Senior Classic, sponsored by The Thunderbirds-hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, teed off at Gainey Ranch Golf Club on May 19, 2024. Known as a classic golf event, it honors and shines a spotlight on the graduating seniors from high school golf teams across Arizona in 2024. Sixty seniors, comprising 45 boys and 15 girls, took part in the tournament.
The 9th annual U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship was underway at the prestigious Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas, May 11-15. JGAA’s very own Gracie McGovern put on an impressive showing at this year’s USGA amateur event with playing partner Brynn Kort of Henderson, Nevada. McGovern, future TCU Horned Frog and 2023 Heather Farr Classic champion, played stellar golf all week at a challenging Oak Hills, only to come up short in the title match on Wednesday and finish runner up.
Oklahoma Boomer Sooner Ben Lorenz competed at the Division I Men’s Rancho Santa Fe Regional this week. The Peoria native and JGAA alum put together an amazing final round on Wednesday, recording a career-low, clean-card 64 (-6) in the final round to come from behind and win the individual title by four strokes.
Loyola Marymount University golfer Riley Lewis put together a stellar senior season, leading him to become WCC’s top-ranked golfer of 2024. Currently positioned at No. 59 on Clippd, the LMU Lion boasted two victories and five top-3 finishes this season.
The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) is delighted to report that 25 Arizona junior golfers and 33 total JGAA members signed National Letters of Intent to play collegiate golf.
Max Lyons, a junior golfer at Marquette University, has clinched the postseason award of 2023-24 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year, as announced by the league on Monday. This marks his second consecutive year receiving All-BIG EAST First Team honors, joined by graduate student Josh Robinson, while Aidan Lafferty secured second team accolades.