Rylan Johnson, Adam Miller, Johnnie Clark and Carlos Astiazaran take on international field.
(Left to right) Carlos Astiazaran, Johnnie Clark, Rylan Johnson and Adam Miller
The 2022 Junior America’s Cup kicks off July 31-August 4, with team Arizona set to compete at The Club at Ruby Hill in Pleasanton, California among an elite international field of 18 teams representing Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico I, Mexico II, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, San Diego, Southern California, Sun Country, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. In the 54-hole competition, the three lowest (of four) scores determine the team score. All players also will be competing for the Sally Pini award recognizing the individual medalist.
“We’re very encouraged by the experience of this year’s Arizona team,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA). “Both Rylan and Adam played last year, so they experienced the unique atmosphere. And Carlos and Johnnie are both playing well individually, too. It will be interesting to see what they can do together as a team.”
Currently sitting No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the JGAA’s point race for 2022 Boys Championship division Player of the Year award, Johnnie Clark of Mesa and Rylan Johnson of Gilbert lead team Arizona. In seven tournaments entered so far in 2022, Clark won four of them, including three in a row in June. He also posted a second-place finish.
Johnson joins the team for the second year in a row, after contributing to 2021’s 5th place AZ finish. As the 2021 Boys Championship division Player of the Year, Johnson hopes to overtake current leader, Clark, to repeat as the champion of the season-long competition. Soon to be playing for Oregon State University in the fall, Johnson won two 2022 JGAA tournaments in seven events entered in addition to a T2 and T3.
Currently in third place in the 2022 JGAA Player of the Year race, Adam Miller of Phoenix also rejoins the team after competing in the 2021 Junior America’s Cup. He’s entered 11 tournaments so far in 2022, placing T9 or better in all of them and T5 or better in seven, including two victories.
Likewise, Carlos Astiazaran competed in 11 JGAA tournaments so far in 2022, highlighted by a victory at home in early June at the Tucson City Junior, in addition to posting eight top-10s and six finishes of fifth place or better.
About The Junior America’s Cup:
The Junior America’s Cup first started in 1959 as matches between Mexico, Alberta and the Southern California Junior Golf Associations with each association hosting the event every three years. Since 2001, the competition annually brings together an elite international field of 18, four-player teams featuring the top boys representing 12 Western states, two Canadian provinces and Mexico. To learn more about the Junior America’s Cup, visit http://www.junioramericascup.net/, or contact Scott McNevin, JGAA Executive Director, smcnevin@jgaa.org, 602-944-6168.
