The Utah PGA Juniors Series Salt Lake City Major took place on July 10-11 at Bonneville Golf Course, the fourth Junior Major of the year. Participants competed for a qualifying spot into the season-ending Major Championship taking place at Hobble Creek in July which can be clinched with a top 3 finish in all age divisions and a qualifying spot for the Notah Begay III Regional which is awarded to the top 5 in all age divisions.
Ali Mulhall claimed her second straight major win with a 5-under-par 141 (74-68). “It feels good,” said Mulhall “My ball striking was good the last two days, and I was able to make some putts, it was fun.” Madalyn Hadley earned runner up honors shooting 14-over-par while Ellie Olsen and Lily Shin joined the podium tied for third at 17-over-par.
After 36 holes Lance Smith and Edyn Tueller found themselves tied atop of the Boys 17-18 leaderboard at 1-under-par. After a one hole playoff Smith bested Tueller with his birdie on No.1, earning his first major win of the season. “To finish on a birdie felt good. The round was a grind all the way through,” said Smith “The win feels good.”
Adley Nelson earned herself a one stroke win in the Girls 15-16 division over runner-up Whitni Johnson as she shot 15-over-par throughout the major. “I didn’t play great today but I pushed through and didn’t give up,” Nelson stated. “It was cool to win for the first time this year.” Kaylee Westfall joined Nelson and Johnson on the podium finishing at 22-over-par.
Boys 15-16 division champion JJ Tomsick expressed his excitement to compete in the end of season tournament after his one stroke win. “It’s exciting,” said Tomsick. “I’m glad to be playing at Hobble Creek at the end of the year,” he added. Tomsick finished the tournament at 5-under-par. Sean Lampropoulos earned runner-up honors shooting 4-under-par, while Lance Loughton rounded out the podium at 3-under-par.
Molli Mulhall earned her third major win of the year in the Girls 13-14 after shooting a 155 (77-78) 9-over-par. Hazel Peters followed closely behind finishing her tournament at 10-over-par. Mikaila Lieu earned third place medalist honors finishing at 22-over-par.
Boys 13-14 division winner Connor Bringhurst finished with a tournament best 7-under-par 137 thanks to a first round that highlighted 8 birdies. Corver Barnes and Autsin Bybee both earned runner-up honors trying for second at 9-over-par.
The 36-hole leaderboard and list of qualifiers for all age divisions are available here.
The Utah PGA’s next Junior major takes place on July 17-18 at Timpanogos Golf Course and The Oaks at Spanish Fork in the Utah County Ruble PGA Junior Major.
Salt Lake City Major feature written by Josh Green. Photos by Utah Section PGA Junior Series interns. Tournament photos are available here.