Author: Jesse Dodson
The first of the 2018 Utah PGA Junior Series Majors is in the books. The Showdown Classic PGA Junior Major, played at Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club and the Lake Course at Wasatch Mountain Golf Course June 18-19 kicks off a year of upgraded, two-day Majors.
Zach Jones didn’t skip a step from his successful 2017 season in the inaugural Majors by firing a 7-under 68-69 – 137. With a total of 10 birdies and an eagle on the par-five 17th hole at Wasatch, Jones won with a comfortable lead in the boys 17-18 division. However, it was only by one stroke over Tyson Shelley that he claimed exemption into the Boys Junior PGA Championship.
“The PGA Junior Championship was one of my bigger goals this year,” Jones said about qualifying. “I’ve heard it’s really awesome. Its’ awesome that the Utah PGA can let us qualify for it and play these courses.”
One more spot was available for the Girls Junior PGA Championship and it was Cora Mickelsen who claimed the spot by separating herself from the pack with a 2-under 70 at Wasatch GC. After being tied with Berlin Long with a 74 at Jeremy Ranch, five birdies on the card in the second round propelled her to a three-stroke victory.
“I’m super excited that I played well,” said Mickelsen, “and that I get to play on the next level in Kentucky.”
Though exemption into The Junior PGA Championship was the goal for many, there was more on the table to play for in the first Major of the season. The top-five golfers in each age division earned a spot in the season-ending Promontory PGA Junior Major Championship on July 30-31.
In the girls 15-16 division, it was Long who took home the victory with a 3-over total of 147. And Utah PGA Junior Series regular Haylee Holmes who took home the trophy for the girls 13-14 with a consistent 84-83 – 167.
Shelley may have come a stroke shy of qualifying for the Boys PGA Junior, but he took home first place in the boys 15-16 with 2-under total for the tournament. And it was Cooper Jones who claimed the victory in the boys 13-14 division shooting 78-73 – 151.
Thank you to Jake Henley, head golf professional at Jeremy Ranch, and Chris Stover, head professional at Wasatch Mountain for providing their courses and running great events. The Major season is off to a good start and will continue July 11-12 at the Valley View Davis PGA Junior Major.