Waldrip, Madson, Jackson Win Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational

SUPHUR SPRINGS – Wylie Waldrip shot 4-under par 68 to win the Boys 15-18 Division of the weather shortened Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational at Sulphur Springs Country Club.  Lauren Madson won the Girls Division at 3-over par 75, while Henry Jackson won the Boys 14 & Under Division in a three-hole playoff, after finishing at 4-under par 68 for the tournament.

After the championship was converted to an 18-hole championship due to weather, Grapevine’s Wylie Waldrip notched a one stroke victory over Tomball’s Grayson Petru. Waldrip recorded five birdies and an eagle enroute to his round of 4-under 68, which included a crucial up and down to save par on the 18^th hole.

Trailing Waldrip was Tomball’s Grayson Petru who carded an impressive 3 under 69 in the tough conditions.  Dallas’s Deacon Dortch and Magnolia’s Aiden Wright finished tied for third at 2-under par, one stroke ahead of Dallas’s Nathan Zmolik in fifth place.

Mansfield’s Lauren Madson captured her first LJT victory of the year in a one-shot victory after posting 3-over par 75. Madson recorded birdies in the par 5 3^rd and par 5 11^th holes today.

Spring’s Darcy Wright, Tyler’s Sidney Robertson, and The Woodland’s Joann Bee finished tied for second and one shot off the lead at 4-over 76.  Houston’s Lauren Evans, McKinney’s Daniela Sitompul, and Frisco’s Grace Kalina all finished tied for fifth at 5-over 77.

Lantana’s Henry Jackson won the Boys 14 & Under Division in a playoff after 4-under 68. Jackson made three eagles and two birdies in his round on the day. Jackson bested Selma’s Aadi Parmar in a three hole playoff.  Dallas’s Luke Olive finishes in third after posting 2-under 70. Dallas’s JD Moore finishes in fourth at 1-under 71, and Spring’s Anthony Butt rounds out the top five at even par 72.

2023 Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational Leaderboard

The Course: Sulphur Springs Country Club is hosting the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational for the second time. The course played to just under 6500 yards for the Boys 15-18 division, 6200 yards for the Boys 12-14 division and 5700 for the girl’s division.

The Weather: The course received 5” of rain early Saturday morning and consistent showers throughout the day forced play to be cancelled. After being converted to an 18-hole championship, players battled through another ½” of rain fall Sunday morning and temperatures ranging in the low 50’s to high 40’s.

About the Event: The Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational is the final event on the Legends Junior Tour schedule for 2023 and the last chance players have to earn points towards the Player of the Year Standings and earn spots on their respective Jackie Burke Cup teams. The Invitational is open to all players that have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. Players earn exemptions into the field through the Alliance Partners.

About the Texas Junior Golf Alliance:  The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern Texas PGA and Southern Texas PGA. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. The players transition from regional events like the NTPGA and STPGA into statewide events like the LJT. The elevation of tours allows junior golfers a chance to grow their game, while preparing them for the next level.

Up Next: The Legends Junior Tour will take the Jackie Burke Cup Matches to Eagle’s Bluff Country Club in Bullard on Nov. 11-12. The Alliance Invitational was the final event for players to earn points towards the Jackie Burke Cup and the North and South Teams will be announced on Monday, October 30th. The South Team has won the cup the past two years.

Player of the Year Winners:  Congratulations to the Boys 15-18 Division Player of the Year, Garland’s Garrett McMellon. Joshua’s Kaylee Yuan ran away with the Girls Division Player of the Year honors by posting 4 victories in 6 events this year. Selma’s Aadi Parmar used a runner up finish this weekend to hang onto the Boys 14 & Under Player of the Year honors. Full POY Standings can be viewed here.

For more information on the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational, click here.

 

TGA, STPGA, and NTPGA Extend Junior Golf Alliance In 4-Year Agreement

The Texas Golf Association, along with the Northern and Southern Texas PGA Sections, recently announced a four-year extension of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance (TJGA).

Established in 2013 to formalize the relationships between the TGA and PGA Sections, the TJGA creates a statewide partnership that highlights playing opportunities for juniors in each region of the state based on playing ability. The Alliance establishes a local, regional, and statewide roadmap for competitors operated by the governing bodies and leaders of the golf community in Texas.

The new extension takes the TJGA partnership through the 2025 season.

“Texas has an incredible heritage in championship golf, and many of the greatest players in the game have come up through our junior ranks,” said Stacy Dennis, Executive Director of the TGA. “By extending the TJGA partnership and solidifying the relationships between the NTPGA, STPGA and LJT, we can collectively continue to provide Texas junior golfers the best platform to compete and chart their course to accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams. I am so proud to be a part of delivering this opportunity to Texas kids.”

Junior golfers become members of the TJGA and LJT by joining their respective PGA Section’s junior program. Alliance members have opportunities to play in the events conducted by the PGA Section in their region. Through playing in NTPGA All-American Tour and STPGA Srixon Prestige Tour events, Alliance members earn status and exemptions into LJT events, which are conducted by the TGA.

As a result, participation at the local level is encouraged and supported, and LJT Championships attract the best players throughout the state. This allows LJT events to earn American Junior Golf Association Performance Stars, higher World Amateur Golf Rankings, and greater attention from the collegiate golf community, including coaches.

“We are very proud of the partnership that we have with the TGA and STPGA,” said Mark Harrison, Executive Director/CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “The Alliance provides a clear player pathway for our local junior players on the Sections’ Junior Tours to reach the Legends Junior Tour, which is the top of the playing pyramid in Texas. With the likes of Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and Will Zalatoris, amongst others who are by-products of the Alliance and Junior Golf here in Texas, the future is bright for the Legends Junior Tour and our partner organizations. However, most importantly, it is bright for the junior golfers and their parents that we collectively serve.”

As the top of the TJGA pyramid, the LJT formed in 2005 to establish an elite-level, statewide junior tour to provide the state’s top young competitors opportunities to compete at the highest level without leaving Texas. Extending the partnerships with the All-American Tour in North Texas and Srixon Prestige Tour in South Texas continues to fortify the LJT’s position as the proving grounds for the most elite junior golfers in the state.

“While this alliance showcases how Texas is the best place for junior golf, it more importantly showcases all three organizations’ desire to create lifelong golfers and introduce the game to as many people as possible,” said Thomas Hutton, Executive Director of the Southern Texas PGA. “The STPGA believes strongly that we need to create a player pathway for all junior golfers, and we are excited that the alliance continues to be strong for the best junior golfers in Texas.”

For more information on the LJT, click here. For more on the NTPGA’s All-American Tour, click here. For more on the STPGA’s Srixon Prestige Tour, click here.