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- Brody Leid and Kaitlyn Helm
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- Girls division
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- Boys division
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, one of the top-ranked public courses in Arizona, hosted the JGAA State Junior Golf Championship. This three-day invitational showcased the top 79 junior golfers in Arizona. Phoenician and future Wyoming Cowboy Brody Leid put together an outstanding bogey-free second round of 7-under 65, finding himself with a three-shot lead going into the final day. His foot stayed on the gas pedal, continuing his hot streak to wrap up the event with yet another bogey-free back nine (3-under 33). The Corona Del Sol High School senior ran away with the contest and took home the hardware with an impressive 11-under par performance. The victory is his first of the 2024 season after losing in a playoff at the Willie Low Invitational last month. In solo-second at 5-under par was Frederick Egnatios of Scottsdale, while Connor Bringhurst of Scottsdale and Jake Goyen of Mesa tied for third place at 4-under par.
On the girl’s side, the competition was just as hot as the weather. Jordin Cowing of Gilbert recorded a stellar first round of 6-under 66 to kick off the tournament with a bang. Despite the early lead, it was St. John Paul II Catholic Junior Kaitlyn Helm that began to claw back into the mix. The remaining two rounds became a dual match between Cowing and Helm. The contest would come down to the last round to crown a champion. Helm made a statement on the front nine with a bogey-free 34 to make the turn at 2-under par. She capitalized on Cowing’s 4-over 76 in the final round with an even par 72 to surpass her by one stroke. The Litchfield Park resident earned the top spot at 3-under par and her first win of 2024. Cowing received runner up honors at 2-under par and Alexis Lamadrid of Phoenix and Alexis Vakasiuola of San Tan Valley tied for third place at 4-over par.
