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.
After the first round, Briones sat tied for the lead with Hogan O’Malley and Henry Dall at 3-under 69. In the second round, it was Briones who took charge and didn’t take his foot off the pedal as everyone else tried to catch up. He took the lead into the clubhouse with three birdies on a bogey-free to finish in first place at 7-under-par 137. Owen Bolles of Chandler, Charlie Palmer of Paradise Valley, and Hogan O’Malley of Tempe each placed in a three-way tie for runner up at 3-under 141. The win makes it Briones’ second of the JGAA season and is currently in the race for the Golembiewski Team JGAA Player of the Year.
In the first round of the girl’s competition, Alexis Vakasiuola posted the lone round in the 60s, 68, which put her in the lead by a resounding six strokes. A highlight for her was marking four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole to separate from the pack. Vakasiuola took control of the tournament on the girl’s side as she finished the final round being the only player to finish in red figures, 68-75, 143.
Headed to the University of Ottawa, Taylor Wilczek of Anthem ended in solo-second at 5-over-par, 75-74-149. Kate Hauptman of Phoenix finished in solo-third after a 7-over-par performance, 75-76-151.
The victory is Vakasiuola’s second of the season after winning the Betsy King IMG Academy Junior World Qualifier at Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler. She sits atop the overall standings for the Golembiewski Team JGAA Player of the Year at just 15 years of age.
FULL RESULTS | TOURNEY PHOTOS
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- Brasen Brioles, Charlie Palmer, Owen Bolles
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- Left to Right- Alexis Vakasiuola and Brasen Briones
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- Alexis Vakasiuola, Taylor Wilczek, Kate Hauptman
