The Utah PGA Juniors Series concluded its Junior Major season with the Major Championship hosted at Hobble Creek Golf Course on July 31. Participants competed for the Major Championship title alongside an exemption into the Utah Open for the Junior Major points Players of the Year and Boys’/Girls’ 15-18 division low scores.
Ben Ackley and Cooper Nelson of the Boys’ 17-18 division shot the tournament low 3-under-par 68 after 18 holes, forcing a playoff for the Major Championship. After a one-hole playoff Ackley emerged as the division winner, earning his exemption into the Utah Open. Lance Loughton clinched Boys’ Junior Major Player of the Year with his third-place finish in the Boys’ 15-16 division, also earning exemption into the Utah Open.
Natalie McLane led all girls with a 1-under-par 72 at Hobble Creek, earning her spot into next week’s Utah Women’s Open while securing the Girls’ 15-16 title. Girls’ Junior Major Player of the Year Ellie Jo Olsen will accompany McLane in the Utah Women’s Open as she clinched her exemption with season-long 60 points.
18 holes was not enough to decide the Boys’ 13-14 division winner as Joseph Corcell and Jack Nelson both carded 1-over-par 72’s. After a six-hole playoff Corcell emerged as the Boys’ 13-14 champion. JJ Tomsick concluded the boy’s division champions after carding an even 71, capturing the Boys’ 15-16 division.
Girls’ 17-18 division winner Sydney Richards picked up her first Major win of the season finishing at 1-over-par 74 and Tazlyn Wagner of the Girls’ 13-14 division rounded out all the division champions picking up the win after carding a 3-over-par 76.
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Tournament photos available here.
Story written by Utah PGA Junior Series Intern Josh Green. Photos by Fairways Media/Garrit Johnson.