The 2024 Olympics have sparked national pride worldwide as we watch the best athletes in the world compete for their countries.
It’s only appropriate then that elite junior golfers across North America team up next week to compete for more than just a trophy.
In the only event of its kind, top American and Canadian junior golfers will play for the prestigious North America Cup at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, FL on August 13-15, 2024.
“The North America Cup is undoubtedly one of the most competitive events of the year,” says Chris Renfrow, Team USA Captain and HJGT Director of Florida Operations. “It’s an event that every golfer looks forward to, not just for the level of competition but for the camaraderie and the unique atmosphere it creates. It’s truly the most fun event of the year.”
The Ryder Cup-style tournament, operated in partnership between the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and the Canadian Junior Golf Association, is held annually and alternates between venues in Canada and the United States. In 2023, Monterra Golf at Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, Canada hosted the North America Cup, won by the Americans.
“This is the only event (we) have that truly creates a team atmosphere and bond that sticks with the golfers long after the tournament ends,” Renfrow added. “The friendships and connections made during this event are priceless and leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.”
Hosting the 2024 North America Cup is Orange Lake Resort and Country Club at the Legends Course in Kissimmee, Florida. The Legends is an 18-hole Arnold Palmer signature design and the 7,072-yard championship course offers two distinct play experiences: Scottish-style golf is featured on the front nine; while the towering pines, majestic oaks, winding fairways, and flowing water on the back nine are reminiscent of the Carolinas.
The structure of the event includes eight junior boys (U19), two bantam boys (U15), and two junior girls (U19) per team. Similar to the pro’s Ryder Cup, scoring begins with Four-Ball Matches on August 13, Foursome Matches on August 14, and Singles Matches on August 15. The country with the most points after these three days retains the Cup.
Among the 12 players selected for the 2024 Team USA squad is Fort Lauderdale’s Kristian Eakins, who is currently third in the HJGT Player of the Year points rankings in the Boys 16-18 division, and has tallied seven top-ten finishes this season.
Another notable player competing for Team USA is Ryley Regan of Granby, MA. Along with Bradenton, FL’s Bailey Baio, Reagan is one of the two females representing Team USA and has four wins on the Hurricane Tour this year.
Eakins and Reagan join a long line of elite juniors selected to play in this competition, including Rickie Fowler (2003) and Morgan Hoffmann (2005). This was back when the America Cup was put on by CJGA and the Bermuda Golf Association before HJGT took over as partners.
To qualify for selection, Junior Girls needed a 36-hole score of 160 or better, Bantam Boys needed a 36-hole score of 158 or better, and Junior Boys needed a 36-hole score of 148 or better. The HJGT Selection Committee then determines the players who will represent Team USA based on their top points rankings in their division.
Team USA Roster
Kristian Eakins
Sam Kozisek
Sammy Lehotsky
Jordan Paulshock
Espn Pool
Christian Shaw-Sarubbi
Luke Walker
Reed Weekley
Xeve Perez
Anthony Primo IV
Bailey “BB” Baio
Ryley Regan
