Around the Green

Godoy and Martinez Selected to Captain for the Jackie Burke Cup

Addison—The Legends Junior Tour announces Dennis Godoy and William Martinez as the captains for the 12^th annual Jackie Burke Cup. The two former LJT players competed in seven Jackie Burke Cups in their junior golf careers. Godoy will be captaining the two-time defending champion North team, while Martinez will captain the South team. This year’s event will be held at Escondido Golf & Lake Club on Nov. 12-13.

Modeled after the Ryder Cup, the Jackie Burke Cup features 12 players from North Texas competing against 12 players from South Texas in three forms of play: Four-Ball, Foursomes and Singles. Much like the Ryder Cup, players earn their way onto their respective Jackie Burke Cup teams by virtue of their play throughout the year on the Legends Junior Tour and the Texas Junior Golf Alliance.

Godoy played in 51 Legends Junior Tour events before going to college at Arkansas Tech, winning the 2010 Alamo Shootout, the 2011 Four-Ball and the 2013 Winter Classic. In 2013 the Hideaway native received the LJT’s James A. Ragan Sportsmanship Award, which is given to the player on tour that displays respect and graciousness to others.  Godoy competed in four Jackie Burke Cups from 2010-13, compiling a match record of 5-6-1. Godoy is currently enrolled at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he plays golf and is earning a degree in Criminal Justice.

“My favorite moment of the Jackie Burke Cup was when I was part of the winning team at Comanche Trace,” said Godoy, “I have always thought it would be an honor to be captain for the Jackie Burke Cup, the Legends Junior Tour did a lot for me and it really made an impact on my life with all the friends and people I came in contact with.”

Martinez, who is from Austin, competed in three Jackie Burke Cups in his LJT career, helping the South team win in 2010 at Bent Tree Country Club and again at UT Golf Club in 2012. Martinez played in 31 LJT events throughout his junior career, winning the 2010 Hill Country Shootout and the 2010 Texas State Junior Championship. Martinez finished ninth at the 2013 Byron Nelson Junior Championship and posted a 1-7-1 record in Jackie Burke Cup matches. Following a two month, 34 state road trip, Martinez enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin and is graduating this spring with a degree in English and Advertising.  

“Playing all the events as a junior really shaped me at that age and helped me form relationships that I’ll keep for the rest of my life,” answered Martinez about being captain of the South team. “Have fun! You’ve all had to play well to make it here, just keep doing your thing and it’s going to be a blast.”

Godoy and Martinez faced off in three different cups from 2010-2012. The south won two of the three matchups, but Godoy is 2-0 heads up against Martinez in those three years. The two former players square off as captains in the Jackie Burke Cup for the first time.

“Playing in the Jackie Burke Cup helped me enjoy the experience of working together toward something and bring a team aspect that is unique to our game,” said Martinez.

The North team is coming off a 26-22 win over the South team at Brook Hollow Country Club last year. Led by the Boys 15-18, Boys 14 & Under and Girls 12-18 Player of the Years, the North team pulled ahead by winning six of 12 singles matches on Sunday.  Despite losing the cup the last two years, the South still leads the overall series 7-4.

“It’s time to reflect on your accomplishments and compete for your region of Texas,” advises Godoy, “Each and every player deserves to be in this cup and they just need to go out and have fun.”

This year’s Jackie Burke Cup is being played at Escondido Golf & Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Escondido sits in the picturesque Texas Hill Country overlooking Lake LBJ. The Tom Fazio-designed course has hosted three Texas Golf Association championships including the 2010 Texas Shootout, which is the same format as the Jackie Burke Cup. Ranked No. 7 by the Dallas Morning News and No. 9 by Golfweek, Escondido will serve as a tough test for the best players on tour in 2016.

As part of the event, an awards dinner will be held at which the Players of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year will be honored. Previous host sites for this event include Whispering Pines GC, Spanish Oaks GC, Miramont CC, Champions GC and Brook Hollow CC.

For more information about the Jackie Burke Cup, click here. To see the Legends Junior Tour Player of the Year Standings, click here.