(left to right) Gracie McGovern, Talia Gutman, Zoe Newell, Mattison Frick
Hosted July 24-28 by the Montana State Golf Association at Helena’s Green Meadow Golf Club, the 2022 Girls Junior America’s Cup tees off, with team Arizona competing against an elite international field representing Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, New Mexico, Northern California, Southern California, Northern Nevada, Southern Nevada, Oregon, San Diego, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Mattison Frick, Peoria resident bound for University of Illinois in the fall, makes the team on the heels of a late-June win at the SWS PGA Jr at Talking Stick. She’s been a JGAA member since 2016 at age 12, and has notched top 10s in six of seven 2022 tournaments entered – all nine in 2021.
Two players will represent Scottsdale this year. Gracie McGovern currently sits in first place in the season-long race for JGAA Player of the Year. She earned a big victory in April at the IMG Academy World Qualifier, and then followed up more recently with another win, this time at a PING Jr Masters Series tournament – Willie Low Invitational. Overall this season, McGovern carded a top 5 or better in six of eight tournaments entered.
Talia Gutman is the other Scottsdale resident on the team. She’s headed for Sonoma State University in the fall, and currently sits in third place for JGAA Player of the Year consideration. She’s logged a busy 2022, with 17 tournaments entered so far. Gutman joins the team with a hot hand, posting a runner-up in June at the Willie Low Invitational, a win days later at the Mesa City Jr, and a T2 in mid-July at the Summer Classic.
The fourth member of the team, Zoe Newell of Oro Valley nearly held off the field at home with a T2 finish at the Tucson City Junior. Furthermore, she’s place 8th or better in all seven JGAA tournaments she’s entered in 2022.
“We’re thrilled to be back and looking forward to a great week,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. “Our Arizona teams came in fourth place in 2018 and eight place in 2019. It’s a very competitive tournament, but we’re up for the challenge.”
Visit the Girls Junior America’s Cup website for more tournament information.
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