For the third-consecutive year, the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) held the Sam Schanafelt Summer Classic in Scottsdale at Talking Stick Golf Club and Wildfire Golf Club. Contested July 15-16, the event commemorates Sam Schanafelt, a fellow JGAA member who tragically lost his life in a 2022 automobile accident.
The Boys Championship division deemed to be a barnburner across the leaderboard at Talking Stick GC – Piipaash. A cluster of low scores stacked up at the top after day one of play to create an eventful final round. Phoenician Mateo Berastegui clawed his way back into contention after recording seven birdies and a striking 5-under 66. The highly contested field led to a tie atop the leaderboard between Berastegui and Alec Hilgers of Surprise who one-upped him with 6-under 65. After both players wrapped up regulation at 8-under par, a playoff ensued to see who’ll come home with this year’s title. Berastegui took the title on the first playoff hole, to defeat Hilgers and clinch his second JGAA win in just over two months. This summer has been awfully kind to him. Noah Kaoni of Phoenix secured third-place honors at 7-under par, missing out on the playoff by just one stroke.
Now over to the Girls Championship division, also played at Talking Stick GC, Beau Ellington took control in the final round and blew past the field. Her identical rounds of 70-70 (-2) gave her plenty of wiggle room to cruise past her fellow competitors. Ellington sealed it with ease by a towering seven strokes. At just 13 years old, Ellington continues to make waves and pile up a summer to remember. She has now won two tournaments in the past month and even captured her first AZ Golf Title at the 2025 Arizona Women’s Four-Ball Championship back in April. The sky is the limit for her, and she’s already proven to show she’s here to win at the Championship level. Maddison Moltich of Gold Canyon and Victoria Cosenza of Phoenix tied for runner up at 5-over par.
In the Boys 15-18 division at Talking Stick, Gilbert’s Colin Ruczynski escapes with a narrow one-stroke victory at 5-over par. The win marks the first of his JGAA career. Tori Colborne of Goodyear takes home the Girls 15-18 division by five shots at 9-over par (74-77).
In the Boys 13-14 division at Wildfire-Palmer, Nolan Wilson of Litchfield Park dips into red figures at 2-under par, claiming the top spot by four strokes. Lastly, Amelie Khosla of Scottsdale secures the Girls 13-14 division by three strokes at 7-over par. This victory is her third of the 2025 season.
“The JGAA proudly honors Sam’s legacy each year through the Sam Schanafelt Summer Classic,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “This tournament isn’t just about recognizing Sam’s talent on the golf course—it’s a celebration of the kind, driven, and truly special young man he was. His impact on our community continues to be felt, and this event serves as a meaningful tribute to both his game and his character.”
This Summer Classic is more than just a competition — it’s a tribute to Sam Schanafelt and the values he embodied: sportsmanship, kindness, and love for the game. We’re proud to support the Swing Fore Sam non-profit organization, an organization committed to creating more opportunities for junior athletes to grow, compete, and chase their goals.
