Dual Weekend at Big Blue and Kearney Hill
Brady Barnum captured the 16–19 Division title at the UK Big Blue Course after defeating Patrick Myers in a thrilling playoff. Both competitors finished the 36-hole tournament at 6-under-par (138), forcing a playoff. The first playoff hole, the par-4 1st, was halved as both players made par. The championship was decided on the second playoff hole, the par-5 7th, where Barnum delivered a clutch birdie while Myers settled for par. Barnum's impressive final-round 66 was key to earning his spot in the playoff. He got off to a blazing start, carding an incredible 29 on the front nine that included five birdies and an eagle. His strong finish helped him climb the leaderboard and force the playoff. Barnum, who is committed to continuing his golf career at the University of Georgia next fall, adds impressive accomplishment to his junior golf career with his six Golfweek career victory. Rounding out the podium in a three-way tie for third place were William Myatt, Waylon Clutts, and Wyatt Maynard.
Whitten Smith was the only player in the Boys 14–15 Division to finish under par, carding rounds of 69-74 to finish at 1-under par and secure the victory. Maximus Humphreys and Parr Cooper put together strong performances of their own, each finishing just one stroke behind Smith at even par with rounds of 69-75. With this impressive performance, Smith captures his first-ever Golfweek Junior Tour victory, marking a memorable milestone in his junior golf career.
Piper Dunn captured the Girls 15–19 Division title, carding rounds of 72-70 to finish at 2-under par and earn her first-ever Golfweek Junior Tour victory. Dunn also showcased an impressive performance on the greens, tying Grace Bell for the division lead in birdies with eight. Anna Bell secured a runner-up finish with a two-day total of 145 (+1), finishing just three strokes behind Dunn. Rounding out the podium was Luna Wang, who bounced back with an impressive final-round 72 after opening with a 76. Wang improved by four strokes on the final day to post a two-day total of 148 (+4) and claim third place.
Just over six miles down the road at Kearney Hill, Andrew Sudicky claimed the Boys 16–19 Division title. After opening with a 72 (E) to sit in a tie for first, Sudicky caught fire in the final round, carding a 67 (-5) to finish at 5-under par and secure a four-shot victory. Stephen Brown finished as the runner-up with a two-day total of 143 (-1). Sitting tied for seventh after the opening round, Brown made a strong push up the leaderboard with a final-round 69 (-3) to climb into solo second place. Rounding out the podium in a tie for third were Wakefield Hutchinson and Ethan Lewis, who both finished with two-day totals of 144 (E). Lewis also had an impressive week on the course, tying two other competitors for the division's most birdies with nine.
Ellie Morgan captured the Girls 15–19 Division title with a pair of consistent rounds of 80, finishing with a two-day total of 160 (+16). Morgan edged out Natalie Druffel by just one stroke to secure the victory. Druffel put together a consistent performance of her own, carding rounds of 81-80 to finish at 17-over par and claim solo second place. Just one stroke behind Druffel was Erin Xie, who made an impressive final-round comeback. After opening with an 83, Xie bounced back with a 79 in the final round to post a two-day total of 162 (+18) and round out the podium in third place.
Leo Cha was the only player in the Boys 14–15 Division to finish under par, securing the championship with a two-day total of 143 (-1). After opening with an even-par 72 to sit just one stroke off the lead, Cha delivered a clutch final-round performance, carding a 1-under-par 71 to earn the victory. Cha's final round was highlighted by recording 15 pars, two birdies, and just one bogey, which came on the opening hole. Carter Boatman finished just one stroke behind Cha after posting rounds of 71-73 for a two-day total of 144 (E). Boatman made a late charge down the stretch, picking up birdies on two of his final three holes, but ultimately came up just short of forcing a tie. Rounding out the podium in a tie for third were Henry Schuitema and Eelan Bobrowski-Hall, who both finished with two-day totals of 145 (+1). Schuitema put together an outstanding final round, firing a 2-under-par 70, the lowest round recorded by any player in the Boys 14–15 Division throughout the entire weekend.
Calista Han claimed the Girls 14 & Under Division title at Kearney Hill, carding rounds of 76-75 to finish with a two-day total of 151 (+7). Han's impressive performance earned her a seven-shot victory over runner-up Kelis Park. Park finished with a two-day total of 158 (+14), posting consistent rounds of 78-80 to secure solo second place. Rounding out the podium was Hebe Li, who finished third after an impressive final-round turnaround. Following an opening-round 84, Li bounced back with a final-round 76, improving by eight strokes to close out the tournament. Congratulations to Calista Han on capturing her second Golfweek Junior Tour victory!
The Boys 13 & Under Division came down to an exciting playoff between Max DeHaven and Ethan Li, as both competitors finished regulation tied at 2-under par with matching two-day totals of 142. The playoff didn't last long, as DeHaven delivered a chip in for eagle on the first playoff hole on the par 5 13th hole. Rounding out the podium was Cameron Sacramento, who posted a two-day total of 144 (E) to finish in solo third place.
