August 8, 2024 •Southern Texas PGA
THE WOODLANDS, TX (AUGUST 5-7, 2024) - The STPGA Junior Championship closes out the best week in Junior Golf!
Eleven Champions were named at the 2024 STPGA Junior Championship at The Woodlands Country Club (Palmer Course). Champions were crowned from Junior Tour and Little Linksters. In addition to crowning our Lodge Lumber Summer Points List Champions, an incredible opportunity to qualify for the 13th Annual Texas Junior Cup team was also on the line this weekend for both divisions.
Domenic Laurenzo of Houston, TX dominated once again in the Little Linksters 6-8 co-ed division, taking home his second STPGA Championship of the year! He put together two solid even-par rounds of 36 for a total of (E)72.
“I felt confident that I was going to take home the win, as long as I shot even par or lower. I had my coach on the bag and all of my family out here supporting me!” said Laurenzo.
Allie Stevens of Austin, TX secured the win in the Little Linksters Girls 9-10 division after draining a 20 foot putt on the last hole. She shot 38-36 for the tournament, bringing her to a total of (+2)74.
“I was nervous before my round, but once I teed off I knew I could come back in the second round and have a chance to win!” said Stevens.
Blake Ayuso of Cypress, TX played a consistent game both days to claim his title as the Little Linksters Boys 9-10 Division champion. He played an even par-round on day one and a (+1)37 on day two for an overall score of (+1)73.
“I had the mindset of if you win you win and if you lose you lose. I was just going with the flow!” said Ayuso.
Reed Rodriguez of Sienna, TX takes home the hardware for the Little Linksters Boys 11-12 Division. He shot a (+2)38 on round one and closed out his second round with an even-par round for a total of (+2)74.
“It feels awesome to be a part of Team STPGA for a second year and I’m so proud of myself!” said Rodriguez.
Alaina Villarreal of Richmond, TX redeems herself from coming in second during Spring Champ and takes the win for the Little Linksters Girls 11-12 Division this time. She carded a (+2)38 on day one and a (+1)37 on day two for a total score of (+3)75.
“One of the main goals coming into this season was to be on the Texas Junior Cup Team and after qualifying today, I’m ready to be a part of such an amazing team” said Villarreal.
Oliver Stordal of Austin, TX earns his title as the Junior Tour Boys 11-12 Division Champion after a solid round and a notable chip in on hole 16. He scored a (+1)73 on round one and finished strong on round two with a (-1)71 for an even-par total.
“I feel great about qualifying for the Texas Junior Cup and I’m very excited for it!” said Stordal.
Muci Guo of Bellaire, TX was crowned the Junior Tour Girls 11-12 Division Champion after going into a playoff. She came in with a (+4)76 on round one and redeemed herself on round two with a (+2)74, bringing her to a total of (+6)150.
“My mindset going into the round was no double bogeys and trying to hit fairways and greens. Simple golf!” said Guo.
Andrew Bird of Nacogdoches, TX brings home the victory and is named the Junior Tour Boys 13-14 Champion after a birdie putt on hole 17 that set him up for the win. He recorded a (-2)70 for round one and an even-par score for round two for a total score of (-2)142.
“I tried staying patient, not thinking about it too much and just playing my game throughout the round” said Bird.
Veronika Germain of Houston, TX takes the trophy at her last Junior Tour Championship for the Girls 13-14 Division before moving onto the Prestige Tour. She shot a (+2)74 on day one and kept a consistent game on day two by shooting even-par, for a total of (+2)146.
“I was just trying to play my best and only worry about what I could control and not what others were doing” said Germain.
Landon Clifton of Spring, TX maintains his lead from day into day two to secure a victory in the Junior Tour Boys 15-18 Division. He shot an outstanding (-6)66 during round one and closed off with a (+5)77 on round two after going into playoffs for a total score of (-1)143.
“It felt huge to sink the putt for birdie during the playoffs and get the win today!” said Clifton.
Jennie Dong of Fulshear, TX finishes up her round with a birdie on 18 to capture her win and gain the Junior Tour Girls 15-18 Champion title. She started round one off with a (+4)76 and closed off round two with a (+5)77, bringing her to a total of (+9)153.
“I actually didn’t know I was winning because I wasn’t keeping up with my scores, but my birdie on 18 felt really nice,” said Dong.
The Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program would like to thank PGA TOUR Superstore, Veritex Community Bank, First Community, and Lexus for their continued support of our Junior Golf Program. Also, thank you to the entire staff at The Woodlands Country Club for their hospitality and allowing us to host this event at their facility for the last 10 years.
Congratulations to all of our winners and our six juniors who qualified for the Texas Junior Cup Matches! Team STPGA is officially finalized and ready to #KeeptheCup in September!
To view the photo gallery,
click here.
To view the final results for Little Linksters,
click here.
To view the final results for Junior Tour,
click here.
