The annual Phoenix City Junior Championship goes down July 23–24 at Aguila Golf Course, with an intense heat wave doing nothing to slow down the competitive spirit.
In the Boys Championship division, a half-dozen players open the event strong, posting rounds in the high 60s to fight for top positioning. Among them is Karsten McCain, who makes the drive down from Flagstaff chasing his first win of the season. He heads into the final round in a crowded pack, with the title still up for grabs — until he finds his rhythm, playing a bogey-free back nine capped by five birdies. The stretch produces a career-best 31 on the back, and McCain becomes the only player in the field to card back-to-back rounds in the 60s. The Northern Arizonan finishes the event at 10-under par, winning by three strokes (68-66—134). Tucson’s Zachary Schaefer takes second at 7-under (70-67—137), and Jack Langbein of Paradise Valley rounds out the podium in third at 4-under (69-71—140).
In the Girls Championship division, Cynthia Lang of Chandler and Alexis Goyen of Mesa each turn in strong 3-and-4-under performances to lead after the opening round. The final round tells a different story, as extreme heat and firm course conditions take their toll on the entire field — not a single player breaks par. Lang’s steady, smart play carries her through, and a final-round 74 is enough to hold off the field by two shots, finishing at 1-under for the tournament (69-74—143). The win marks her first of the 2026 campaign. Mischa Wang and Addison Taylor of Scottsdale tie for second at 1-over (72-73—145).
In other divisions:
- Neil Dave of Mexico prevails in a playoff against Sam Basta of Phoenix in the Boys 15–18 division (Aguila 18).
- Samantha Saxon of Tucson claims the Girls 15-18 division by three strokes at 1-over par (72-73-145)
- Jackson Jones earns top honors in the Boys 13–14 division at 1-under par (Aguila 18).
- Amy Xuan of Chandler wins the Girls 13-14 division by four shots at 7-over par (74-77—151).
- Kyle Wojtcuk of Waddell three-peats in the Boys 11–12 division, posting a 3-under scorecard at Aguila 9 (looped twice).
- Bri Kistler of Peoria wins the Girls 11-12 division by three shots at 1-over par at Aguila 9 (looped twice).
- Sahir Nainwall of Gilbert edges the Boys 8-10 division by one stroke, finishing at 1-over (Aguila 9, looped twice).
- Julee Diaz of Phoenix tops the Girls 8-10 division by three shots at 1-over par (Aguila 9, looped twice).
Congrats to all the winners.
