JGAA Junior Golfers Commit to Play Collegiate Golf

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) is pleased to report that 63 Arizona junior golfers and 76 JGAA members signed National Letters of Intent to play collegiate golf.

“Every year, it’s an honor to watch our junior golfers take that next big step into college golf,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “Helping prepare them for this moment is a core part of our mission. We’re excited to see where their journeys lead and wish them all the best in this next chapter.”

One JGAA member from Scottsdale signed with Ole Miss. Xander Mulder, 18, will become a Rebel after an impressive 2025 season. In nine JGAA events played, he captured four top 25s and even recorded three top 10s in six AJGA events. Mulder helped lead Notre Dame Prep claim its sixth Division 2 boys state team championship alongside Landon Ashcraft of Scottsdale who won his third-straight AIA DII individual state title. Ashcraft is heading to Texas A&M to further pursue his golf career at the SEC powerhouse program. The future Aggie racked up three top 10s in just three JGAA events played, including a runner-up finish at this year’s Bryce Molder Invitational. He played a crucial role in Team Arizona’s historic win at this year’s Boys Junior America’s Cup in Oregon.

Joining him in College Station is former JGAA Player of the Year Owen Bolles of Chandler. The JGAA star posted two 10s this JGAA season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the coveted Betsy King Junior World Qualifier. Bolles shined bright on the national stage with four top 15 performances in the AJGA circuit.

Two Arizonans are staying in the Grand Canyon State at the University of Arizona: Hogan O’Malley of Tempe and Joseph Nelson of Gilbert. Hamilton high school standout Nelson clinched a victory at the 2025 Southwest Section PGA Junior Championship while O’Malley put together a steadily consistent JGAA season with seven top 10s and a runner-up at the Desert Mashie Championship. Bear down!

And two Arizonans are heading to the Plains of Pullman at Washington State University, Jake Goyen of Mesa and Madalyn Gubernick of Cave Creek. Both had outstanding seasons to help them take that next step to the collegiate level. Goyen’s most noteworthy JGAA performance took place at the PING Invitational at Phoenix Country Club.  In 2025, he posted three top 10 finishes in American Junior Golf Association tournaments, including shooting a 63 in the opening round at the AJGA Visit Pullman Championships. He was also a member of the 2025 Hogan Cup Team. Gubernick finished the year with four top 10s and a third-place honors at The Wyndham Clark presented by the Colorado Golf Association, an AJGA event contested in Colorado.

Casteel’s Julia Herzberg of Gilbert (17) signed with the University of Clemson. The future Tiger had a remarkable 2025 campaign, collecting two JGAA wins, plus three runner ups and in 10 AJGA events entered.

Isabella Piazza of Phoenix is prepared to tee it up for the University of Colorado Boulder in 2025. The Buffalo won the prestigious PING Invitational at the GCU course and carded four top 10s in seven JGAA events.

Fresh off an AIA DII individual state title, Tyla Greenwood of Tucson is joining Eastern Washington University. The 2025 grad ended the 2025 JGAA season with two runner ups and nine top 10s in 11 events entered.

We’re proud of all 76 local junior golfers that are taking their JGAA experience to the next level as they head off to play collegiate golf across the U.S., from Washington State University to Clemson. While these talented players exemplify the competitive spirit fostered by the JGAA, the organization’s focus extends far beyond preparing athletes for college golf. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the JGAA is dedicated to educating, motivating, and inspiring Arizona’s future leaders through the game of golf. Here, it’s about developing life skills just as much as it is about honing golf skills. To find out how your junior can grow both on the course and off, visit www.jgaa.org or call 602-944-6168.

JGAA Junior Golfers Who Signed National Letters of Intent