Marco Island Holiday Junior Open

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open unfolded across two demanding days at The Rookery at Marco Island, where coastal winds, narrow corridors, and exacting green complexes combined to produce a true test of championship golf. By Sunday afternoon, it was Ayden Gallen who stood atop the Boys 16–18 leaderboard, delivering the most complete performance of the week to secure the title. Gallen, competing out of Broomall, Pennsylvania, followed an opening-round 76 with a composed 71 to finish at +3, the only player in the field to break par in the final round. His ability to control ball flight and manage the ever-present risk off the tee proved decisive on a course that offered little forgiveness for aggressive lines. The margin, however, was slim. Max Cuticelli stayed within striking distance throughout the final round, matching Gallen’s 71 on Sunday to finish just one stroke back at +4. Henry Liebwein, who opened with a strong 72, remained in contention deep into the weekend before settling for third at +6, underscoring the depth and competitiveness of the field. Throughout the leaderboard, consistency was hard-earned. The Rookery’s strategic design demanded thoughtful decision-making on every shot, with coastal breezes amplifying the challenge and placing a premium on course management. Players who strayed from position often faced difficult recovery shots, while the firm, subtly contoured greens rewarded those with disciplined approaches and confident putting. The Boys 16–18 field reflected the national reach of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, drawing competitors from across the country and Canada to one of Florida’s most respected tournament venues. The result was a tightly contested championship where patience, resilience, and execution separated contenders from the rest. When the final putts dropped, Gallen’s steady approach and timely scoring under pressure defined the week. The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open once again delivered a championship-caliber test — one that challenged every facet of a player’s game and rewarded those willing to embrace the discipline required to succeed at the highest level of junior competition.

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open continued to demand patience and precision at The Rookery at Marco Island, where the Boys 14–15 division faced a stern two-day examination shaped by coastal winds, narrow landing areas, and greens that rewarded commitment. When the final scores were tallied, Aidan Truong emerged as the most composed competitor, claiming the title with a steady wire-to-wire performance. Truong, competing out of Wichita, Kansas, opened with a 78 before backing it up with a controlled 77 on Sunday to finish at +11, a total that held firm as the course tightened its grip late in the championship. His ability to manage the golf course—choosing position over power and limiting mistakes—proved decisive on a layout that offered few recovery opportunities. Chasing closely was Parker Spiwak of Gainesville, Florida, who made a late push with a second-round 76 to finish at +14. Spiwak’s closing round applied pressure down the stretch, but Truong’s consistency from tee to green ultimately separated the two. Behind them, the leaderboard reflected the challenge of The Rookery. Eshaan Adi and Cole Martin finished tied for third at +19, each navigating fluctuating conditions that tested discipline on every shot. The remainder of the field battled a course that demanded thoughtful decision-making, particularly as coastal breezes exposed any lapse in execution. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s holiday slate, the Marco Island Holiday Junior Open once again delivered a championship-style test in a setting that rewarded maturity and composure. For Truong, the victory was built not on flashes of brilliance, but on steady execution—an approach well-suited to a course that asked players to think their way to the finish.

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open continued its demanding run at The Rookery at Marco Island, where the Boys 12–13 division faced a championship-caliber test defined by coastal winds, narrow sightlines, and greens that rewarded commitment. Across two days, it was Austin Twedt who separated himself, delivering the most composed performance of the weekend to claim the title. Twedt, competing out of Plymouth, Minnesota, followed an opening-round 78 with a steady 76 on Sunday to finish at +10, the lowest total in the division. His ability to manage ball flight and avoid costly mistakes proved decisive on a layout that consistently punished aggressive lines and lapses in focus. The chase was tight throughout the final round. A three-player tie for second at +12 underscored the depth of the field, with Nathaniel Miller, Paul Trost III, and Connor Vaughan all remaining within striking distance as conditions grew more exacting late in the day. Each showed flashes of strong shot-making, but The Rookery demanded sustained discipline from start to finish. Further down the leaderboard, the course continued to assert itself, testing resilience and course management across the field. For a developing age group, the venue offered a valuable lesson in patience and decision-making — hallmarks of success at higher levels of competitive golf. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s holiday schedule, the Marco Island Holiday Junior Open once again provided a meaningful proving ground. For Twedt, the victory was built on steady execution and maturity under pressure, closing the weekend with a performance that matched the demands of one of Florida’s most respected tournament venues.

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open concluded at The Rookery at Marco Island with the Boys 10–11 division facing a demanding championship test that required patience, focus, and perseverance well beyond the scorecard. Over two challenging rounds, Gabriel Epps rose to the occasion, navigating the course’s strategic demands to secure the division title. Epps, competing out of Nolensville, Tennessee, posted rounds of 82 and 87 to finish at +25, separating himself through steady effort and resilience on a layout that allowed little margin for error. The Rookery’s narrow corridors, forced carries, and subtly contoured greens placed constant pressure on young competitors, rewarding composure and thoughtful decision-making from tee to green. Behind him, Josiah Dorgelus of Venice, Florida, and Roman Addorio of Naples, Florida, battled the course’s challenges across both rounds, each gaining valuable experience on a venue that tests every facet of the game. As conditions tightened and fatigue set in, simply finishing strong became an accomplishment in itself. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s holiday schedule, the Marco Island Holiday Junior Open once again provided a meaningful competitive environment for developing players. For the Boys 10–11 field, the week was as much about growth and learning as it was about results — and for Epps, it ended with a well-earned victory built on determination, patience, and the ability to stay committed through a demanding championship test.

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open concluded at The Rookery at Marco Island with the Girls 14–18 division facing one of the sternest tests of the week, as coastal conditions and a strategic layout demanded discipline from the opening tee shot through the final putt. When the tournament settled, Lillie York emerged as the most composed competitor, claiming the title with a controlled, efficient performance. York, competing out of Little Rock, Arkansas, followed an opening-round 80 with a strong closing 76 to finish at +12, separating herself through consistency and smart course management. On a layout where patience was rewarded and mistakes quickly compounded, York’s ability to stay within herself proved decisive, particularly as conditions tightened late in the championship. Behind her, Lilly Bisterzo of Nassau, Bahamas, remained firmly in contention throughout the weekend, posting rounds of 82 and 79 to finish second at +17. A tie for third at +18 featured Makayla Caine and Kate Freshwater, both navigating the demanding setup with steady play while applying pressure deep into the final round. The remainder of the field battled a course that exposed lapses in execution, especially around the greens, where subtle contours placed a premium on precision and touch. For many, The Rookery provided a championship-caliber lesson in course management and mental resilience. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s holiday schedule, the Marco Island Holiday Junior Open once again delivered a competitive stage worthy of the challenge. For York, the victory capped a disciplined two-day performance — one defined not by flash, but by composure, decision-making, and the ability to execute when the course demanded it most.

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The Marco Island Holiday Junior Open concluded at The Rookery at Marco Island with the Girls U13 division navigating one of the most demanding tests of the week, as coastal conditions and a strategic layout challenged every aspect of the game. Across two rounds, Kate Hansen emerged with the steadiest performance, earning the division title through perseverance and composure. Hansen, competing out of Elkhorn, Nebraska, carded rounds of 95 and 90 to finish at +41, holding off a close challenge from Natalie Murphy of Naples, Florida, who finished just one shot back at +42. With narrow landing areas and greens that punished missed approaches, The Rookery placed a premium on patience and course management—particularly for a developing age group facing a championship-caliber venue. The final margin reflected the difficulty of the setup rather than a lack of competitiveness, as both players battled changing winds and exacting conditions from start to finish. Each round demanded focus and resilience, turning the event into a true test of mental toughness as much as skill. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s holiday schedule, the Marco Island Holiday Junior Open once again provided a meaningful competitive experience for young players. For Hansen, the victory capped a determined two-day effort on a course that rewards commitment and discipline—an experience that will serve as a valuable foundation as she continues her development in tournament golf.