Kaj Johnston Wins Betsy King Uswing Mojing Jr World Qualifier; Taylor Underhill Takes Girls’ Title

The first local qualifying tournament to enter the esteemed Uswing Mojing Junior World Championship took place April 12-13 at the Betsy King Uswing Mojing Junior World Qualifier, yielding 19 players to become championship bound. The Uswing Mojing Junior World Championship is held July 8-10 in San Diego.

Toka Sticks Golf Club hosted the Boys Championship division, with the first qualifier Kaj Johnston of Scottsdale earning top medalist honors after two red-hot rounds of 65-68. The Scottsdale resident recorded a staggering 14 birdies and an eagle in 36 holes to card a final score 11-under par. Johnston blew the competition out of the water by five shots. At 6-under par, Ethan Butters of Chandler and 2024 Player of the Year Owen Bolles of Chandler tied for second place, each securing the remaining two qualifying spots. Dylan Boenning of Phoenix (-5) and Joseph Nelson of Gilbert (-5) are the two alternates in the Boys Championship division.

Toka Sticks Golf Club also hosted the Boys 15-18 division, with Meyer Shill of Wellton shooting even par to land a narrow one-stroke victory (70-74).

The Girls Championship division squared off at Western Skies Golf Club with two qualifiers and two alternates heading to San Diego. Taylor Underhill of Gilbert fired 69-72 to squeak past the rest of the leaderboard in first place at 3-under par. The win marks her first of the 2025 season. Ashley Malko of Gilbert snagged the final qualifier spot on the leaderboard after a runner up finish at 2-under par. Alexis Vakasiuola of San Tan Valley and Aubrey Hilgers of Surprise secured the two alternate spots.

In the Girls 15-18 division, also contested at Western Skies, it came down to the wire as Samantha Evangelista of Queen Creek and last year’s winner Kaeleen Giardina of Phoenix went neck and neck down the final stretch. Evangelista eventually edged out Giardina in a playoff and secures her first victory of 2025 at 2-over par (75-71).

Bear Creek’s Bear Course hosted the Boys and Girls 13-14 divisions. Ronan Khosla of Scottsdale clinched the Boy’s side with a 2-under par 140 to pull away from his fellow competitors by a shot. He earns the first qualifier spot in the Boys 13-14 division. Two other players received qualifier spots as Nolan Wilson of Litchfield Park and Cason Dezzani of Scottsdale tied for second at 1-under par. Troy Stahl of Phoenix and Xavier Apodaca of Phoenix wrap up the two alternate spots. In the Girls 13-14 division, Aubrey Pizzillo of Goodyear dominates by an impressive six strokes to cruise into the top qualifier spot. Highlighted by a four-birdie final round with just one bogey, Pizzillo cards her lowest score in a JGAA event ever. Addison Taylor also earned a qualifier spot as the Scottsdale resident concluded T-2 at 2-over par. Taylor qualified in a playoff against Maddison Moltitch of Gold Canyon (+2). Moltitch and Alyxandra Sumner of Scottsdale (+4) each sneaked into contention as alternates.

Three players in the Boys 11-12 division moved on. Cam Abood of Paradise Valley won by a stroke at 4-under (58-56) at Bear Creek’s Cub Course. Jaxon Luzar of Chandler (59-56) came in second place at 3-under par, and Cat Dann of Mesa shot 2-over par (60-56) to take the final spot. Mason Bishop of Phoenix and Benjamin Bracke of Gilbert took the two alternate spots.

The Girls 11-12 division, Malone Wall of Scottsdale shot 62-62 on the Cub Course for top honors at. 6-over par, and Leilani Herzberg of Gilbert ended up +12 (64-66) to join Wall in San Diego.

Jace Anderson of Anthem clinches the Boys 10 and Under division at +2 (63-57). He finished one stroke ahead of Aaron Zhang of Chandler who finished at 61-60. They both earned spots to San Diego. Raleigh Butler of Gilbert and Emery Bingham of Glendale tied for third at 9-over par and received the two alternate positions.

In the Girls 10 and Under division, Amy Xuan of Chandler goes back-to-back at 7-over par (63-62) to take the first qualifying spot for the division, and Emmaline Dang of Mesa secured the second after shooting 63-65, +10. The second Uswing Mojing Junior World Championship qualifier will be June 3-4 at the Antigua Milt Coggins AZ Jr Stroke Play held at both Papago Golf Club and Encanto 18/9.

The 2025 edition of the Uswing Mojing Junior World Championships will kick off from July 8 to July 10. Originating in 1952 with just 50 young players gathering at the then Mission Valley Country Club, the event has evolved significantly. Today, the Uswing Mojing Junior World Golf Championships proudly welcomes 1,200 participants hailing from 56 countries and 42 states. As the largest international tournament globally, it stands out for its rich cultural tapestry.

The mission of the Junior World Golf Championships is to unite young golfers worldwide, offering them a premier golfing experience while fostering cultural cohesion and mutual understanding. Originally conceived by John W. Brown, A.S. “Lou” Smith, and Norrie West in 1968, the San Diego Junior Golf Association took up the mantle to organize the tournament. Their vision was to create a platform where junior golfers from diverse backgrounds could converge, play golf, and broaden their cultural horizons. Hosted not only at the renowned Torrey Pines but also at various other esteemed clubs across the San Diego area, this championship continues to embody the spirit of global camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Click here to learn more about the Uswing Mojing Junior World Championships.