Ashley Menne notches third consecutive title; Hayden Sayre earns second in three years.
The JGAA announced the 2018 Sportsmanship and Player of the Year Awards across five age divisions at the annual awards banquet held October 21 at Moon Valley Country Club.
“As we look forward to the 2019 season, it’s important to take a moment to honor our shining stars of 2018,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “Ashley and Hayden certainly played well all season long, and we also saw a bunch of new faces making the list. Congratulations to the players, and thank you to all of the sponsors, parents, volunteers, golf clubs and supporters of the JGAA for making the 2018 season a successful and rewarding experience for the juniors.”
By earning Player of the Year honors in the Girls Championship division for the third consecutive year (2016-2018), Ashley Menne, 16, has become a permanent fixture at the awards banquet. Moreover, the Surprise resident won the points race in the Girls 13-14 division in 2015 as well as Girls 11-12 division in 2014 and 2013. All told, she has been the player of the year for an astonishing six consecutive years across four JGAA age divisions.
Hayden Sayre, 17, of Phoenix, is the 2018 JGAA Player of the Year in Boys Championship division, an achievement he also accomplished in 2016, before finishing in fifth place for 2017. In his five years playing JGAA tournaments, Sayer placed 21st on the list in 2013 in the Boys 11-12 division; and ninth in 2014 and second in 2015 in the Boys 13-14 division. For more information, contact Scott McNevin ([email protected]), JGAA Executive Director, visit www.jgaa.org or call 602-944-6168.
2018 JGAA Awards Recipients
| Player of the Year
Boys Championship: Hayden Sayre – Phoenix Girls Championship: Ashley Menne – Surprise Boys 15 – 18: Alan Quezada – Phoenix Girls 15 – 18: Meghan Singh – Mesa Boys 13 – 14: Charlie Palmer – Phoenix Girls 13 – 14: Mattison Frick – Peoria Boys 11 – 12: Ryan Sefrioui – Scottsdale Girls 11 – 12: Alexis Vakasiuola – San Tan Valley Boys 10 & Under: Gavin Ly – Goodyear Girls 10 & Under: Alexis Lamadrid – Phoenix |
Sportsmanship Awards
Boys Championship: Kohl Kuebler – Gilbert Girls Championship: Maya Benita – Tucson Boys 15 – 18: Jackson Huether – Tucson Girls 15 – 18: Breann Brennan – Chandler Boys 13 – 14: Camden Braidech – Scottsdale Girls 13 – 14: Paige Hammarstrom – Scottsdale Boys 11 – 12: Daniel Morris – Buckeye Girls 11 – 12: Raegan Capizzi – Scottsdale Boys 10 & Under: Shravan Ramesh – Scottsdale Girls 10 & Under: Ashley Shaw – Litchfield Park |
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- 2018 Player of the Year Award Recipients (left to right) Back row: Charlie Palmer, Alan Quezada, Meghan Singh | Middle row: Ashley Menne, Alexis Vakasiuola, Mattison Frick | Front row: Ryan Sefrioui, Gavin Ly, Alexis Lamadrid
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- 2018 Sportsmanship Award Recipients (left to right) Raegan Capizzi, Kohl Kuebler, Daniel Morris, Maya Benita, Ashley Shaw, Breann Brennan, Paige Hammarstrom, Shravan Ramesh, Jackson Huether, Camden Braidech
CLICK HERE FOR ALL AWARDS BANQUET IMAGES
Most Improved Awards
Boys: Gavin Krist – Chandler
2018 – 86.8
2017 – 101.1
Girls: Breann Brennan – Chandler
2018 – 84.3
2017 – 96.8
Hole-in-One Awards
Carter Moore – 2/10/2018 – Phoenix Phoenix Metro Junior Championship No. 2 at Bear Creek Golf Complex – Cub Course 120 yards, 6-iron
Trevor Lewis – 3/24/2018 – Prescott AM&E Classic No. 11 at Moon Valley Country Club 186 yards, 5-iron
Lauren Garcia – 6/20/2018 – Gilbert State Junior Championship No. 7 at Talking Rock Golf Club 131 yards, 9-iron
Makenna Cabardo – 6/21/2018 – Scottsdale IMG Academy Junior World Qualifier No. 2 at Raven Golf Club 103 yards, Wedge
Talia Gutman – 8/19/2018 – Scottsdale Scottsdale City Junior Championship No. 8 at McCormick Ranch GC – Pine Course 125 yards, 7-iron
Volunteer of the Year
Phil Hannaford
2018 Player of the Year Season Recaps
Boys Championship – Hayden Sayre
Sayre played in 10 events this year and finished in the top 3 five times. He went on to win three of those events. His victories include the Northern AZ Jr Championship, Willie Low Invitational and the AM&E Classic. Sayre was also part of the Junior America’s Cup team and finished the year with a scoring average of 70.4.
Girls Championship – Ashley Menne
Menne posted 10 top-3 finishes this year in JGAA events. She went on to win seven of those events. Her victories include the Scottsdale City Jr, Willie Low Invitational, IMG Jr World, State Junior Championship, Thunderbird Jr Classic, Spring Stableford and the New Year’s Classic. She was also part of the Girls Junior America’s Cup team this year, and she finished the year with a scoring average of 69.6.
Boys 15-18 – Alan Quezada
Quezada finished with nine top-3 finishes this year, winning two of them along the way. His victories include the PING AZ Jr masters and the Tucson City Jr Championship. He also finished the year with five rounds in the 60s.
Girls 15-18 – Meghan Singh
Singh played in nine events this season and finished in the top 3 six times. She went on to win three of those events. Her wins include the PING AZ Jr Masters, Phoenix City Jr and the IMG Academy Jr World Qualifier. Her consistent play over the entire year was a big factor in her success.
Boys 13-14 – Charlie Palmer
Palmer finished the year with 12 top-3 finishes. He went on to win four of those events. His victories include the SWS Antigua Tour Championship, Maricopa Jr Championship, Antigua Milt Coggins and the Tucson City Jr Championship. He finished the year with a total scoring average of 72.2.
Girls 13-14 – Mattison Frick
Frick finished with nine top-3 finishes this year, including three victories at the Antigua Milt Coggins, Bruce Brown Yuma City Jr and the Spring Stableford.
Boys 11-12 – Ryan Sefrioui
Sefrioui played in nine events this season and finished in the top 3 seven times. He went on to win four of those events with victories at the Mesa City Jr, Tucson City Jr, Spring Stableford and the Phoenix Metro Jr Championship.
Girls 11-12 – Alexis Vakasiuola
Vakasiuola notched 11 top-3 finishes this year including six wins at the Maricopa Jr Championship, Mesa City Jr, IMG Jr World Qualifier, Spring Stableford, Desert Mashie and the Phoenix Metro Jr Championship.
Boys 10 & Under – Gavin Ly
Ly finished in the top 3 in 10 of 11 events entered this year with seven wins at the PING AZ Jr Masters, Phoenix City Jr, Mesa City Jr, Antigua Milt Coggins, Tucson Spring Classic, Desert Mashie Spring Championship and the Phoenix Metro Jr Championship.
Girls 10 & Under – Alexis Lamadrid
Lamadrid finished with nine top-3 finishes and eight wins at the Chandler City Jr, Scottsdale City Jr, Mesa City Jr, Antigua Milt Coggins, Tucson City Jr, Tucson Spring Classic, Spring Stableford and the Desert Mashie Spring Championship.
