The North team came into the 2024 GSGA Junior Tour Cup with one goal in mind: defending their hard-won title from last year’s thrilling showdown. The Junior Tour Cup, which showcases the top 12 junior golfers from both the North and South regions of Georgia, saw an unforgettable finish in 2023, with the North team taking the inaugural title on the very last hole.
This year, a new chapter unfolded. Leading the North team was GSGA Junior Tour Director Lise Swanepoel, with Danny Sweet, GSGA’s Coordinator of Golf Development, serving as assistant captain. Returning players Olivia Hodges, Hailey Jung, Jiho Choi, Logan Skaggs, and Griffen Latimer were joined by newcomers Louis Cerniglia, Ryan Gallagher, Pearl Hughes, Julie Lee, Howar Li, Vlad Parker, and Sutton Turner.
On the South side, the team was captained by Jaime Henck and assisted by Cason Vail, both GSGA Operations Management Interns for the 2024 season. Returning players included Ariel Collins, Cadence Nance, Grace Outhavong, and Caden Hartley, with fresh faces Drew Bacchus, Griffin Barnett, Drew Burch, Hampton Keith, Nathariya Phimsoutham, Kolby Pounds, Grayson Power, and Crosby Revell joining the squad.
The competition began with the Four-Ball matches. In the opening pairing, North’s Olivia Hodges and Pearl Hughes faced off against South’s Ariel Collins and Nathariya Phimsoutham. The teams split the Four-Ball matches 3-3, with Hodges and Hughes securing the first points of the day, winning 3&2.
After a quick break, the teams returned for the afternoon foursome matches in an alternate shot format. Once again, the points were evenly split 3-3, leaving the day tied at 6 points apiece. The standout performance came from South’s Crosby Revell and Griffin Barnett, who won their match 5&4, marking the largest victory margin of the day.
Heading into the final day, the teams were neck-and-neck. The North team needed just 6 points to retain the cup, while the South team required 6.5 points to win it. South’s Grace Outhavong struck first, winning her last two holes to take the match 1-up. But North responded quickly, with Jiho Choi, Vlad Parker, and Ryan Gallagher securing commanding leads in their matches, putting the North team on the brink of victory.
It all came down to Pearl Hughes, who had just won the previous hole to tie her match with South’s Cadence Nance as they approached the 18th. Hughes, having already won both her matches on Saturday, was looking to cap off the weekend undefeated. After hitting her approach shot to within 10 feet, she calmly made her putt, sealing the win for North and securing their second consecutive Junior Tour Cup.
The 2024 GSGA Junior Tour Cup delivered another dramatic weekend of golf, with the North team once again emerging victorious. But beyond the final score, the event was a celebration of competition, camaraderie, and personal growth. Players on both sides sharpened their skills, forged new friendships, and embraced the true spirit of the game. The Junior Tour Cup remains a highlight of the season, leaving participants with memories they’ll carry long after the final putt.
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To view the photo gallery from the event click here
