Southwest Florida Junior Open at Heritage Harbour
Heritage Harbour Golf Resort | November 1–2, 2025
The Southwest Florida Junior Open brought together a world-class field of young golfers from across the globe for two days of elite competition at Heritage Harbour Golf Resort in Bradenton, FL. Hosted by the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT), the event featured players representing more than a dozen countries—all battling the Florida heat, swirling coastal winds, and the championship-caliber layout that defines Heritage Harbour.
The tournament produced remarkable performances and dramatic finishes across every division. In the Boys 16–18 Division, Jackson Diaz of Seminole, FL, stole the show with a sensational final-round 67 (-4) to surge from behind and claim the title at 147 (+5). His comeback win was one of the highlights of the HJGT fall season.
The Boys 14–15 Division came down to a fierce international battle, as Julian Bugara of Prospect Heights, IL, held off Canada’s Aaron Che by a single stroke with rounds of 72–74 (146, +4) to earn his first HJGT championship.
In the Boys 12–13 Division, Chi San Allen Huang of Bradenton, FL, delivered a dominant performance—posting rounds of 72–67 (-3 total) to win by nine strokes. His closing 67 stood as the lowest score across the entire event, showcasing one of the tour’s brightest young talents.
Mack Wong of St. Petersburg, FL, captured the Boys 10–11 Division crown with rounds of 79–81 (160, +18), displaying exceptional consistency and composure to stay ahead of the field.
On the girls’ side, Veronika Niklin of Staten Island, NY, battled back on Sunday with a clutch 73 (+2) to take home the Girls 14–18 Division title by one shot over Ana Hernandez of Doral, FL. The pair’s head-to-head duel highlighted the competitive intensity that defines the HJGT.
Rounding out the weekend, Abigail VanAntwerp of Lakewood Ranch, FL, turned in an outstanding performance in the Girls U13 Division, shooting 84–77 (161, +19) to capture the title in front of a home-state crowd.
From wire-to-wire victories to final-round surges, the Southwest Florida Junior Open encapsulated everything that makes the HJGT the premier stage for junior golf—international talent, championship-caliber venues, and a spirit of competition that pushes every player to their best.
As the sun set over Heritage Harbour, one thing was clear: the future of golf was on full display in Bradenton—and it’s as bright as ever.