Last October, the 12 best junior golfers from the North and South regions faced off in a team style event at Augusta Country Club . Each team was comprised of the four top players from each of the boys 12-14, boys 15-18, and the girls divisions.
The teams
North
Girls 12-18
Olivia Hodges
Hailey Jung
Lillie Mallis
Sydney Marshall
Boys 15-18
Matt Calhoun
Jiho Choi
Griffin Latimer
Ryan Light
Boys 12-14
Aidan Park
Logan Skaggs
Jake Spindler
Wynn Stephens
South
Girls 12-18
Leigh Allen
Ariel Collins
Cadence Nance
Grace Outhavong
Boys 15-18
Christopher Dedman
Caden Hartley
Peyton Phillips
Daniel Harkins
Boys 12-14
Grant Edens
Gavin Gaylord
Lathan Hillin
Poli Medrano
The matches got off to a hot start. On Saturday, the North Team took an early lead in the morning four-ball matches (3.5-2.5). Yet the South Team maintained the deficit and tied the afternoon foursomes (3-3) to maintain a one point deficit (6.5-5.5).
Sunday morning quickly became competitive, with five matches being decided on the 18th hole. The teams were tied as the final group of Jiho Choi (North) and Caden Hartley (South) walked onto the 18th tee. Choi had battled back from two down in the match and was on a roll. After a two-putt par, Choi had won the clinching point for the North team, securing the Junior Tour Cup.
While the North team came out on top, the event was highlighted by the friendships built during the event and the camaraderie between the teams. The event will return to the GSGA Junior Tour schedule later this year. Selections will be based on players performance in GSGA Junior Tour events in the 2024 season.