The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) sends its top four girls’ golfers to Salem, Oregon this week for the 2026 Girls Junior America’s Cup (GJAC), with the first round of tournament play teeing off Tuesday at Illahe Hills Country Club. Team Oregon and the Oregon Golf Association serve as this year’s host committee.
Representing Arizona are Beau Ellington, Lauren Richardson, Caroline and Claire Brooks, who earned their spots through a season-long qualifying points race across four JGAA championship-division events. The team will be coached by Captains Anj Brown, Head of Membership at AZ Golf, and Peggy Briggs, an LPGA Teaching Professional. It’s the youngest GJAC Team Arizona roster in JGAA history.
Arizona arrives in Oregon looking to build on last year’s runner-up finish. Hosted in Arizona’s own backyard at Scottsdale’s Westin Kierland Golf Club, the 2025 GJAC saw Team Arizona finish second as a squad, with Julia Herzberg turning in a second-place individual performance to lead the charge. The 2024 squad won their first-ever GJAC title at Soldier Hollow Golf Club in Midway, Utah.
Modeled after the collegiate golf format, the Girls Junior America’s Cup features 18 teams of four, each representing a U.S. state, Canadian province or Mexican region, across three rounds (54 holes) of stroke play. Each team counts its best three scores per round, with the low cumulative total determining the champion.
Beyond the competition itself, the GJAC is built on tradition and camaraderie — the week includes opening ceremonies, a tournament banquet, team socials and gift exchanges, all in keeping with the event’s founding values of excellence, friendship and personal growth. More than 20 college coaches are expected to attend this year’s event to scout and recruit from the talented field.
The Girls Junior America’s Cup has long served as a launching pad to the professional ranks, with alumni including Lorena Ochoa, Lizette Salas, Pat Hurst, Amy Fruhwirth and Brandie Burton.
Follow Team Arizona’s progress throughout the week at www.gjac.org and on JGAA’s social channels.
