Anawin Pikulthong wins by five strokes with a pair of 67s.
Maya Benita
Runner-up last year, Tucson resident Maya Benita made the most of home-field advantage with a win at the Tucson City Junior Championship sponsored by the Tucson Conquistadores held May 27-28. She posted a first round 4-under-par 66 on Dell Urich Golf Course to lead by five strokes entering the final round. Benita closed out the tournament with a final-round two-over-par 72, good enough for the win at 2-under-par 138 for the tournament. Bound for the UA golf team in the fall, she adds this win to another victory and a third-place finish earned in February in JGAA play. Mattison Frick of Peoria came in second place, three strokes back, after putting up rounds of 71-70 to finish at 1-over-par 141. And Carly Strole of Avondale came in third place at 2-over-par 142 (73-69).
In the Boys Championship division, Anawin Pikulthong of Gilbert held a share of the first-round lead with Phoenix’s Adam Miller at 5-udner 67, before Pikulthong pulled away from the pack with another 67 in the second round to win by five strokes at 10-under-par 134. Miller (67-72) and Ryan Plodkowski (70-69) of San Diego finished tied for second place at 5-under-par 139.
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- Girls Championship (left to right): Maya Benita, Mattison Frick, and Carly Strole
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- Boys Championship (left to right): Anawin Pikulthong, Ryan Plodkowski, and Adam Miller
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- Girls 15-18 (left to right): Abigale Morris, Annie Dawson, Lucy Newell, Grace Garper, and Elizabeth Nowaczyk
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- Boys 15-18 (left to right): Jonathan Maese, Tanner Olson, Kevin Chor, Devin Ackermann, and Eddie Sandoval
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- Girls 13-14 (left to right): Raegan Capizzi, Ashley Shaw, Kate Hauptman, Jayden Jevnick, and Natalia Lamadrid
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- Boys 13-14 (left to right): Oscar Uribe, Finn Meister, Joey Hage, Jack Layman, and Jake Myre
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- Girls 11-12 (left to right): Julia Herzberg, Isabella Piazza, Kylie Kuppersmith, Mallory McRee, and Peyton DeCosta
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- Boys 11-12 (left to right): Zachary Schaefer, Hudson Parker, Everett Corwon, Tylen Sisco, and Alex Kaufman
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- Girls 10 and Under (left to right): Kaitlyn Moreland, Hannah Nguyen, Ariela Renee Trejo, Addison Tillman, and Londyn Goulet
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- Boys 10 and Under (left to right): Maverick Midthun, Brody Olayvar, David Vanden Branden, Ian Kennedy, and Jake Martinez
The tournament featured more than 200 junior golfers (boys and girls) ages 8-18 competing in five age groups. Jonathan Maese of El Paso won in the Boys 15-18 division at 3-over-par 147 (75-72), while Abigale Morris of Buckeye won in the Girls 15-18 division at 16-over-par 156 (76-80). Oscar Uribe of Scottsdale won in the Boys 13-14 division at 1-over-par 141 (72-69), and Raegan Capizzi of Scottsdale won in the Girls 13-14 division at 2-over-par 142 (73-69). Zachary Schaefer of Tucson won the Boys 11-12 division at 2-under-par 68 (33-35), while Julia Herzberg of Gilbert took the Girls 11-12 division at even-par 70 (38-32). Maverick Midthun of Chandler won the Boys 10 and Under division at 6-under-par 64 (32-32), and Kaitlyn Moreland of Scottsdale won in the Girls 10 and Under division at even-par 70 (37-33).
The event marked the first JGAA tournament since postponing the 2020 schedule. Health and safety guidelines were put in place that players, tournament staff, families and spectators were required to follow, including (but not limited to) practicing social distancing and maintaining a six-foot distance from other people (except household members) while on golf course property (this includes the driving range, practice putting green, teeing area, etc.). Click here for complete JGAA 2020 COVID-19 Tournament Guidelines.
FULL RESULTS | TOURNEY PHOTOS
About the Tucson Conquistadores
Since their inception in 1962, the Conquistadores have contributed more than $36 million to local and national charities. The Conquistadores are comprised of up to 60 active business and professional members, and a total membership of 215 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. The organization serves at the tournament management team for the PGA TOUR Champions’ Cologuard Classic, overseeing tournament operations and sales. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores’ fundraising efforts include Southern Arizona youth athletic programs, The First Tee of Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com and www.Facebook.com/TucsonConquistadores.
