Zach Heffernan and Lauren Nguyen Win 94th Texas Junior Amateur

HORSESHOE BAY – Zach Heffernan of Fair Oaks Ranch cards a final round 1-under-par 70 at Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Ram Rock Golf Course to defend his title and win back-to-back Texas Junior Amateurs. Katy’s Lauren Nguyen fired a closing 6-under-par 66 to come from behind and win the Girls Division by one stroke at Apple Rock.

Heffernan, who won last year at The Clubs of Kingwood’s Forrest Course, entered the week seeking to become the first back-to-back Texas Junior Amateur champion since Hunter Haas in 1994-95. The 2021 Baylor University commit carded rounds of 66-70 in his first two rounds to put himself in contention on Wednesday. He began the final round tied third and two strokes behind the 36-hole leader Hanseung Chang of Cedar Park.

Heffernan started firing early with birdies on the par-4 first and par-4 third to cut Chang’s lead to one. Following bogeys on the par-3 fourth and par-5 seventh, he turned at even par and trailed by three with nine holes to play. Despite the deficit, Heffernan never wavered. The defending champion continued to hit solid shots and pace himself on the difficult back nine at Ram Rock.

“The front nine started off well and then kind of got sketchy toward seven, eight and nine,” Heffernan said. “But on the back nine, I had a bunch of good looks and birdied the par-5 14th.”

Heffernan’s birdie brought him within one shot of the lead. Chang, who will play for the University of Houston this fall, was struggling on his closing loop. He double-bogeyed the par-4 11th and bogeyed the par-4 13th. After carding pars on holes 14-16, Chang held onto a one-shot lead with two to play. He missed the green on the par-3 17th and made another bogey. Heffernan made par, and they walked to the 18th tee tied for the championship.

The defending champion fired his tee shot up the right-center of the fairway and left himself a wedge into the green. Chang, trying to match Heffernan, blocked his tee ball a little right. It bounded through the rough and out of bounds. Chang closed with a double-bogey, while Heffernan flipped his wedge shot onto the putting surface and two-putted for the victory.

“It feels good to go back-to-back,” Heffernan said. “It’s amazing.”

Heffernan joins the short list of players to accomplish consecutive Texas Junior Amateur wins. Only two other players in the tournament’s 94-year history have won back-to-back, Hunter Haas in 1994-95 and Buck Luce in 1937-38. Heffernan heads to the 111th Texas Amateur at Boot Ranch next week. He’ll look to add another elite amateur title to his junior golf resume.

Gaven Lane of Argyle, Matthew Spaulding of Spring and Zachary Kingsland of Austin shared runner-up honors at 3-under par overall. Chang and Andrew Baucum of Heath tied for fifth at 1-under par.

In the Girls Division, history was made as well. Nguyen, a junior at Seven Lakes High School, started the day two shots behind Avery Zweig of McKinney. The 2019 Player of the Year bogeyed her second hole, but rallied with three birdies over her next seven holes to turn in 2-under-par 34.

Nguyen didn’t slow down on the back nine. She birdied the par-5 10th to climb into a share of the lead with Zweig and Tiffany Cao of Midlothian. The next eight holes became a battle between the three talented junior girls. Zweig, Cao and Nguyen all carded bogey-free closing nines, but Nguyen’s clutch birdie on the par-4 18th clinched the victory.

“I knew that this wasn’t the easiest course,” Nguyen said. “So, I knew if I just kept playing like I know how to play then everything will fall together for me.”

Nguyen, who won the Girls 14 & Under Division in 2017, becomes only the second player to win Texas Junior Amateur titles in both girl divisions. Since her win three years ago, Nguyen has had her eyes set on the Girls Division trophy.

“When I won the 14 & Under, I looked at the girl who won the 15 and over,” Nguyen said. “I told myself that’s always what I wanted to do. You know, I could never see myself doing that, but today it happened.”

Cao posted 2-under overall and solo second. Zweig finished third at 1-under. Mimi Burton of Austin was fourth at even par, while Emma McMyler of San Antonio rounded out the top-five at 5-over par.

Players, spectators and volunteers were required to follow specific health and safety guidelines throughout the day. The LJT provided hand sanitizer at water coolers, starting tees and scoring areas. Players were not allowed to touch the flagsticks and bunker rakes were removed from the golf course.  The driving range and practice putting green were monitored and limited to a specific number of players. Players and spectators were asked to practice social distancing throughout the golf course and practice facilities.

The Legends Junior Tour extends its sincere appreciation to the staff and members of Horseshoe Bay Resort as well as our volunteers for their integral part in making the 94th Texas Junior Amateur a memorable and successful event.

For more information on the Texas Junior Amateur, click here. For the full leaderboard, click here.

Chang and Zweig Hold Clubhouse Leads at Texas Junior Amateur

HORSESHOE BAY – Hanseung Chang of Cedar Park followed his opening 4-under 67 with a 1-under-par 70. The recent high school graduate leads the Boys Division by one stroke through 36 holes at Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Ram Rock Golf Course. McKinney’s Avery Zweig holds the clubhouse lead by one stroke in the Girls Division following a 1-over-par 73 at Apple Rock. Round 2 in the Girls Division was suspended due to darkness and will resume Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m.

Earlier in the afternoon, play was suspended at 3:45 p.m. due to inclement weather in the area. Play resumed following a two-hour and eight-minute suspension. The Boys Division was able to get through 36 holes and the field was cut to the low-45 and ties. Five players in the Girls Division were unable to complete their second round. Following the completion of Round 2 tomorrow morning, the Girls Division will be cut to the low-30 and ties for the final round.

Chang, who will play collegiately for the University of Houston this fall, relied on his veteran experience in Round 2. After carding a bogey on the par-4 second and a double-bogey on the par-4 third, he stood on the fourth tee at 3-over on the day. However, he didn’t let the rough start rattle him and played his closing 15 holes in 4-under par.

“I really try to concentrate on the shot that is given to me in the moment instead of thinking which holes should I make birdies in the future,” Chang said.

His mentality has led to 13 birdies through two rounds on one of the state’s most difficult courses. Ram Rock, known as “The Challenger”, demands precision off the tee and presents many risk-reward situations. Chang remained patient and stuck to his game plan throughout the first two rounds.

“It’s really a placement golf course,” Chang said. “Some shots are risky and you really have to go for it on a couple holes. If you mess up, you just pray for bogey. But if you hit it in a good spot, you really can get an easy birdie out here.”

Chang leads Matthew Spaulding of Spring by one stroke. Spaulding, who finished tied 24th last year at The Clubs of Kingwood’s Forrest Course, carded five birdies in Round 2 en route to a 3-under-par 68. The high school junior says he plans to play his game and not focus solely on the scores during the final round.

“I just want to make sure I have fun out there,” Spaulding said. “I want to make sure I enjoy the moment and not just get caught up in it.”

Two of the favorites coming into this week, Zach Heffernan of Fair Oaks Ranch and Gaven Lane of Argyle, are tied third. Heffernan, the defending champion, carded rounds of 66-73 and sits two shots back of Chang. Lane, a 2023 Oklahoma State University commit and the 15th ranked junior in Texas, will begin the final round also two shots off the lead. He’s carded rounds of 70-69, highlighted by a bogey-free 5-under 33 on his opening nine this morning.

Andrew Baucum of Heath and Evan Vo of Austin are tied fifth at 1-under par and four shots off the lead.

Zweig leads the Girls Division with two groups left to finish Round 2. She played another patient round of golf and carded back-to-back birdies on the par-4 15th and par-4 16th en route to 1-over 73. The 15th ranked junior girl in the state holds a one-shot lead and will look to add a Texas Junior Amateur title to her decorated junior golf resume. The 2025 high school graduate has recorded top-finishes in the U.S. Girls Junior Championship, U.S. Kids World Championship and Texas Girls Invitational.

Tiffany Cao of Midlothian and Mimi Burton of Austin are currently tied second at 2-over par. The 2019 Player of the Year Lauren Nguyen of Katy is fourth at 3-over, while Nitisha Manikandesh of Plano is fifth at 4-over.

In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Brooks Simmons of Dallas carded six birdies on Tuesday en route to a 3-under-par 69. His final round was highlighted by a run of four straight birdies from the par-5 fourth to the par-5 seventh. Simmons posted 2-under for the championship to claim the 14 & Under Division title by two strokes. The 13-year-old joins a long list of 14 & Under past champions, including three-time Major Champion Jordan Spieth, University of Texas standout Parker Coody and former Big 12 Champion Stratton Nolen.

“I started off really well today,” Simmons said. “I was 4-under through six and I just cruised on from there. It really means a lot.”

Corbin Null of Woodway, Bowen Ballis of Shenandoah and Reese Roberts of Dallas tied for second at even par for the championship. Trenton Mierl of Austin rounded out the top-five with rounds of 72-74.

In the Girls 14 & Under Division, Sidney Robertson of Chandler carded a final round 3-over-par 75 at Apple Rock. The 14-year-old battled back and forth all day with Alyssa Kurji of Dallas and Addison Ko of Plano. Despite a double-bogey on the par-5 11th, Robertson bounced back with a birdie on the picturesque par-3 12th. She posted 5-over for the championship to win by three strokes.

“My short game was definitely on this week,” Robertson said. “I’ve spent the last two to three weeks really working hard to try to get ready for this, and it really just means a lot that the hard work paid off.”

Kurji posted rounds of 77-75 and took home runner-up honors. Ko finished 9-over for the championship and solo third. Raleygh Simpson of Kerrville finished fourth at 12-over, while Samantha Gibbs of Fort Worth finished fifth at 16-over.

Players, spectators and volunteers were required to follow specific health and safety guidelines throughout the day. The LJT provided hand sanitizer at water coolers, starting tees and scoring areas. Players were not allowed to touch the flagsticks and bunker rakes were removed from the golf course. The driving range and practice putting green were monitored and limited to a specific number of players. Players and spectators were asked to practice social distancing throughout the golf course and practice facilities.

For more information on the Texas Junior Amateur, click here. For the full leaderboard, click here.

Zach Heffernan and Mimi Burton Lead Texas Junior Amateur

HORSESHOE BAY – Zach Heffernan of Boerne fires an opening round 5-under-par 66 at Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Ram Rock Golf Course. The defending champion posted the only bogey-free round of the day and leads the field by one stroke. Austin’s Mimi Burton leads the Girls Division following a 2-under-par 70. The 15-year-old holds a two-stroke lead heading into Tuesday’s second round at Apple Rock.

Heffernan, a 2021 Baylor University commit, entered this week trying to become the first back-to-back Texas Junior Amateur champion since Hunter Haas in 1994-95. Following a steady first round, he finds himself atop the leaderboard. Heffernan, who won last year at The Clubs of Kingwood’s Forrest Course, carded a birdied on the par-4 first hole to set the tone early in Round 1. After an eagle on the par-5 seventh, he turned in 3-under 33. He didn’t make any mistakes on the back nine either. The 2019 Texas Junior Amateur champion carded two more birdies and coasted to a solid 5-under 66.

“I was just trying to do the same thing as last year,” Heffernan said. “I knew this golf course was pretty difficult, so as long as I keep it in the fairway. The greens are pretty slow, but pretty pure, so I knew I could get a bunch of putts to fall.”

Heffernan leads a crowded leaderboard with seven players within four shots of the lead. Hanseung Chang of Cedar Park fired a 4-under-par 67 and is solo second. Drew Wagner of Austin sits in third at 2-under, while the 2019 Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Champion Gaven Lane of Argyle, Evan Vo of Austin, Christian Clark of Dallas as well as Matthew and Andrew Spaulding of Spring are tied fourth after rounds of 1-under-par 70.

In the Girls Division, Burton started her opening round slow. The sophomore at Vandegrift High School made consecutive bogeys on the par-5 fourth and par-4 fifth. She was 2-over through her first five holes. However, she stayed committed to her game plan and played her closing 13 holes in 4-under par.

“It was kind of a shaky start,” Burton said. “I only hit one green in the first six holes. But I just putted really well and chipped really well, so I got in the hole.”

Burton played in the 2018 Texas Junior Amateur in the Girls 14 & Under Division. After missing last year’s championship due to injury, she came into this year’s tournament with a few personal goals.

“I know there are a lot of really good girls in the field this week,” Burton said. “So I want to finish well and hopefully at the top. I am excited to see the rest of the week and how it goes.”

Avery Zweig of McKinney carded an even-par 72 and trails Burton by two strokes. Alexandria Habimana of Frisco is solo third after a 1-over-par 73. Nitisha Manikandesh of Plano, Lauren Nguyen of Katy, Farah O’Keefe of Austin and Tillie Claggett of The Woodlands are tied fourth following rounds of 2-over-par 74.

Corbin Null of Woodway carded a 2-under-par 70 and leads the Boys 14 & Under Division by two strokes. Charlie Wylie of Houston, Trenton Mierl of Austin, Reese Roberts of Dallas and Mitchell Maier of Richmond are tied second at even par.

In the Girls 14 & Under Division, Addison Ko of Plano and Sidney Robertson of Chandler carded rounds of 2-over-par 74 at Apple Rock. Ko and Robertson lead the field by three strokes. Alyssa Kurji is solo third after a 5-over-par 77.

Players, spectators and volunteers were required to follow specific health and safety guidelines throughout the day. The LJT provided hand sanitizer at water coolers, starting tees and scoring areas. Players were not allowed to touch the flagsticks and bunker rakes were removed from the golf course.  The driving range and practice putting green were monitored and limited to a specific number of players. Players and spectators were asked to practice social distancing throughout the golf course and practice facilities.

Horseshoe Bay Resort is hosting the Texas Junior Amateur for the ninth time in the last 11 years. On Tuesday, the LJT will crown the Boys 14 & Under and Girls 14 & Under champions, as well as cut to the Boys Division field to low-45 and ties and the Girls Division field to low-30 and ties. The Boys and Girls Division’s final round will be played on Wednesday.

For more information on the Texas Junior Amateur, click here. For the full leaderboard, click here.

94th Texas Junior Amateur Returns to Horseshoe Bay

HORSESHOE BAY – The 94th Texas Junior Amateur will be held at Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Apple Rock Golf Course and Ram Rock Golf Course from July 27-29. The Legends Junior Tour returns to Horseshoe Bay for the ninth time in the last 11 years.

“The Legends Junior Tour is excited and honored to return to Horseshoe Bay Resort for the state’s biggest championship,” LJT Tournament Director Kevin Porter said. “The Ram Rock and Apple Rock Golf Courses provide a top-notch test for every division and highlight some of the state’s best terrain.”

Known for its dedicated involvement in junior golf, Horseshoe Bay Resort has embraced the opportunity to host the state’s longest-running junior championship. Director of Golf Operations Anthony Holder says it’s a privilege to be a part of the history associated with the Texas Junior Amateur.

“It’s an honor to be the host for such a prestigious junior golf event,” Holder said. “These kids are the future of our game and we are thankful to be part of that history. It is always so impressive to see the caliber of players this event attracts, and to see them play on our courses makes it even more special. Our mission is to host a venue that is not only fair for the competitors, but more importantly in this time, a safe environment for the kids to enjoy some friendly competition.”

The Boys Divisions will play the demanding Ram Rock Golf Course. The par-71 layout was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is consistently ranked among the top-50 best courses in Texas. Famously known as the “Challenger,” it features narrow fairways, dramatic elevation changes and difficult approach shots. Since the course opened in 1981, the challenging layout and championship test of golf has hosted several elite events including the Texas State Open, USGA Qualifiers and TGA Major Championships.

The Girls Division as well as the Boys and Girls 14 & Under Divisions will compete on the newly renovated Apple Rock Golf Course. Also designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., Apple Rock is touted as one of the most scenic championship golf courses in the Texas Hill Country. In 2019, the par-72 layout was reopened following a renovation that included the installation of 007 Bentgrass greens, renovating and scaling down bunkers, improving the irrigation system and adding stone retaining walls along penalty areas. From its breathtaking views to beautiful holes along the shore of Lake LBJ, Apple Rock will be a great test of golf and worthy of crowning three distinguished champions.

The Texas Junior Amateur has been one of the strongest fields in recent years and produced some great champions. Last year’s winner, Zach Heffernan of Fair Oaks Ranch was one shot off the lead when he began his final round at The Clubs of Kingwood’s Forest Course. He started off with birdies on three of his opening five holes. Heffernan carried the momentum throughout his round and carded a bogey-free closing nine including a birdie on the par-4 18th to secure the title by one stroke. The 2021 Baylor University commit finished at 8-under for the tournament and will look to defend his title this year at Horseshoe Bay.

In the Girls Division, Austin’s Nicole Vivier carded a final round 1-under-par 71 to claim a five-shot victory at The Clubs of Kingwood’s Island Course. It was the only round under-par in the Girls Division of the entire week. The Southern Methodist University freshman’s name will live forever on the Dorothy Franey-Langkop Trophy. Vivier wrapped up her junior golf career this spring and will begin playing collegiately in August.

Ben Delarosa of Dallas won the Boys 14 & Under Division and will look to win the Boys 15-18 Division this year, while Sydney Givens of Austin won the Girls 14 & Under Division and will also look to win another Texas Junior Amateur title at Horseshoe Bay Resort.

Other past champions of the Texas Junior Amateur include Ben Crenshaw, Jordan Spieth, Jeff Maggert, Scott Verplank, Omar Uresti, Angela Stanford, Hunter Haas, Jacob Sosa, Sadie Englemann, Stratton Nolen, Kelsey Vines, Alex Moon, Heather Haas, Lindsey McCurdy, Morris Williams Jr. and Nancy Hager.

For the Boys Division, the Texas Junior Amateur is open to all residents of Texas with players earning an exemption through the Texas Junior Golf Alliance or by competing in one of 11 qualifiers for the championship. Qualifiers are spread throughout the state and feature 18 holes of stroke play competition to get into the championship.

Players in the Girls Division as well as the Boys and Girls 14 & Under Divisions are entered based on the LJT Priority Entry System, which awards players that have played well in LJT events as well as Texas Junior Golf Alliance events. The Alliance is made up of the Northern and Southern Texas PGAs along with the Houston Golf Association.

The Boys and Girls Divisions are 54 holes of stroke play competition while the Boys and Girls 14 & Under Divisions are 36 holes of stroke play. All four events are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek, while the Boys and Girls Divisions also awards World Amateur Golf Ranking points. American Junior Golf Association Performance Stars are handed out to the top finishers of each division as well as double LJT Player of the Year Points.

For more information on the 94th Texas Junior Amateur at Horseshoe Bay Resort, click here.