Zachary Schaefer and Abby Kelly delivered the signature performances of the 2026 Matt McCarty Mesa City Junior Championship, headlining a stacked field of more than 200 junior golfers, ages 8 to 18, across two days of competition July 1–2 at Dobson Ranch Golf Course and Viewpoint Golf Resort.
Championed alumni Matt McCarty, Scottsdale native and PGA TOUR winner, once again served as the tournament’s title sponsor, continuing to pave the way for the next generation of golfers in his own backyard.
“Matt is living proof of what the JGAA’s core mission is all about,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “He’s not only successful on the global stage but is also making a meaningful impact at home. His support inspires our junior players and elevates the future of the game in Arizona.”
In the Boys Championship division at Dobson Ranch, Schaefer and Scottsdale’s Mason Danninger traded blows deep into the final round. Schaefer, of Tucson, trailed by a stroke off the tee but answered immediately with an eagle on the par-5 fifth, turning in a 3-under 34. Danninger matched him shot for shot, carding his own bogey-free 34 on the front to preserve a one-stroke edge. Schaefer answered right back. Another eagle on the back nine, paired with two birdies down the stretch, was enough to pull away for good — a 12-under 132 (66-66) and his first trophy of the 2026 campaign for the former Drive, Chip and Putt contestant. Danninger finished a shot behind at 11-under 133 (65-68) for solo second, with Jack Langbein of Paradise Valley rounding out the podium in third at 8-under 136 (69-67).
The Girls Championship at Viewpoint belonged to Mesa’s own Abby Kelly from the opening tee shot. She opened bogey-free with four birdies for a 68. The only round in the 60s the girls championship field would produce all week and never looked back, cruising to a commanding six-stroke win at 3-under 141 (68-73). It’s Kelly’s fourth victory of the season, a run that puts her squarely in the Player of the Year conversation. Hayden Nguyen of Peoria and Mischa Wang of Scottsdale tied for second at 3-over.
The age-division titles were equally decisive. Bryan Tarr of Phoenix won the Boys 15-18 division at Dobson Ranch by one shot, finishing even par at 144 (73-71). Xavier Apodaca of Phoenix ran away with the Boys 13-14 title at Viewpoint, posting a 4-under 138 (69-69) to win by five. At Viewpoint’s Executive Course, Jackson Crone of Scottsdale carded matching even-par nines of 33-33 to take the Boys 11-12 division by three, and Emery Bingham of Glendale claimed the Boys 8-10 division in a landslide, going 1-under 65 (33-32) on the same nine-hole layout.
In the Girls 15-18 Division, Yuer Li of Scottsdale closed with a 5-over 149 (76-73) for the win at Viewpoint. Gilbert’s Leilani Herzberg — sister of Julia Herzberg — outlasted Chandler’s Amy Xuan in a playoff to claim the Girls 13-14 title. Another Herzberg, Iliana, picked up a win of her own in the Girls 11-12 Division at Viewpoint’s Executive Course, carding a 7-over 73 (38-35). Cave Creek’s Karinae Peterson topped the Girls 8-10 field at the same course, winning by four with an 11-over 77 (38-39).
Adding a little extra shine to the week: Myla Bingham jarred her second career hole-in-one, acing the 4th hole at Dobson Ranch from 118 yards with a pitching wedge.
As a former JGAA star, McCarty’s support goes far beyond name recognition — it’s an enduring commitment to Arizona’s next pipeline of talent. His sponsor team, including Del Campo, Crest Insurance, Adidas and PING, outfitted every player in the field with tournament gifts, rounding out the experience for athletes and families alike.
“Once a participant, always a part of the mission,” McCarty said.
Thank you to Matt, his sponsors, the Dobson Ranch and Viewpoint staff, JGAA volunteers, and — most importantly — all the players who continue to make this event one of the premier tournaments in the state.
