New Jersey Fall Junior Open

Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ — October 25–26, 2025 The New Jersey Fall Junior Open at LBI National Golf & Resort delivered a thrilling finale to the Garden State’s HJGT season, as players battled coastal winds, firm greens, and the pressure of closing out the fall schedule on one of New Jersey’s most scenic courses. Across all divisions, the weekend was defined by poise, grit, and standout performances from the region’s rising stars. In the Boys 16–18 Division, Tyler Whitney of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, rose above a competitive field to capture the title with a steady +4 total (74–74–148). His balanced play across both rounds—marked by consistency off the tee and precise short game control—proved decisive as he fended off a deep group of contenders. PJ Foley of Northfield, NJ, posted +8 (73–79–152) to take runner-up honors, while Franklin Matichak of Collegeville, PA, secured third at +10 (74–80–154). The Boys 14–15 Division saw Rayan Shah of Newtown, PA, showcase both skill and composure en route to victory at +21 (81–84–165). Shah’s opening round gave him breathing room that he carried through a challenging second day. Nathan Lavin of Burlington, NJ, followed close behind at +22 (82–84–166), while Ethan Clouser of Newtown, PA, rounded out the top three at +27 (85–86–171) after steady play across both rounds. In the Boys 12–13 Division, it was Preston Minio of Lansdale, PA, who stole the spotlight. Minio’s crisp ball striking and clutch putting earned him a commanding win with a +4 total (70–78–148)—his opening-round 70 standing as one of the best scores of the tournament across all divisions. Edward (Jingkun) Song of New York, NY, posted +16 (83–77–160) for second place, rallying with a strong Sunday finish, while Crosby Knowland of Ridgewood, NJ, followed at +17 (82–79–161) to claim third. On the girls’ side, Jane Wei of Hightstown, NJ, set the tone in the Girls 14–18 Division, capturing the title with an impressive +4 total (71–77–148). Wei’s opening-round 71 put her firmly in control early, and she displayed veteran-like poise in closing out the victory. Morgan Tyhanic of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, thrilled the home crowd with a brilliant 74 on Sunday to surge into second at +14 (84–74–158), while Charlotte Reid of Cream Ridge, NJ, finished third with consistent rounds of 80–80 (160). In the Girls U13 Division, Ria Nenavath of Chester, NJ, emerged victorious at +32 (85–91–176), displaying maturity and consistency well beyond her years. Juliet Souza of Chatham, NJ, took second at +83 (113–114–227), rounding out a weekend that reflected the promise of New Jersey’s next generation of female golfers. As the final putts dropped at LBI National, the 2025 HJGT fall season closed with a tournament that highlighted everything great about junior golf—discipline, sportsmanship, and the drive to improve. From Whitney’s control in the boys’ field to Wei’s precision on the girls’ side, the New Jersey Fall Junior Open was a fitting finale to another outstanding year of competition in the Garden State.