Orange County National Junior Open
Winter Garden, FL – September 2025, The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour hosted the Orange County National Junior Open, where junior golfers from across the U.S. and around the world delivered a weekend of exciting competition.
In the Boys 16–18 Division, Nolan DeForest (Crystal River, FL) won a one-hole playoff over Forrest Benson (Mahomet, IL) after both finished at 3-under (141). Shim Wang (Windermere, FL) secured the Boys 14–15 crown at +5 (149), five strokes clear of a three-way tie for second. Haoyu Yong (Winter Garden, FL) claimed the Boys 12–13 title at +19 (163), while Aliisa Helminen (Menasha, WI) captured the Girls 14–18 championship with +9 (153), edging Emma Ziniuk (Magnolia, TX) by one.
The event highlighted HJGT’s international reach, with competitors representing the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Germany, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and more, making Orange County National a true global stage for junior golf.
boys 16-18
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Winter Garden, FL – September 21, 2025, The Boys 16–18 Division at the Orange County National Junior Open came down to a dramatic finish, with Nolan DeForest (Crystal River, FL) winning a one-hole playoff to secure the championship.
DeForest and Forrest Benson (Mahomet, IL) both finished at 3-under (141) after matching closing rounds of 68. In the playoff, DeForest held his nerve to edge Benson and claim the trophy.
Just behind, Will Hacker (Owatonna, MN) finished third at even par (144), while Sol Richmond (Singapore) took fourth at +1 (145). Luke Dodson (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) rounded out the top five at +2 (146).
The leaderboard was packed with international talent, including players from Mexico, China, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, and the Dominican Republic, highlighting the global reach of the HJGT.
With DeForest’s playoff heroics, Benson’s clutch Sunday 68, and Hacker’s steady play, the Orange County National Junior Open delivered one of the most competitive finishes of the fall season.
Rank
Player
Total
No. 1 Rank
Nolan DeForest
-3 Total
No. 2 Rank
Forrest Benson
-3 Total
No. 3 Rank
Will Hacker
E Total
boys 14-15
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Winter Garden, FL – September 2025, Shim Wang (Windermere, FL) rose to the challenge at the Orange County National Junior Open, capturing the Boys 14–15 title with rounds of 76–73 to finish at +5 (149). His strong closing 73 gave him a five-shot cushion over a crowded leaderboard.
Three players tied for runner-up honors at +10 (154): Jose Basconcillos (Burgos, Spain), Hunter Benson (Mahomet, IL), and Juan Pablo Garcia Gonzalez (Toluca, Mexico). Each delivered consistent play across both days to secure top finishes in the international field.
Rounding out the top five was Brody Drewes (Clermont, FL) at +19 (163), with several others—including Maximilian Landry (Nassau, Bahamas) and Carson Lowe (West Palm Beach, FL)—tied just behind.
Wang’s steady performance on a demanding championship course separated him from the pack and secured his well-earned victory.
Rank
Player
Total
No. 1 Rank
Shim Wang
+5 Total
No. 2 Rank
Jose Basconcillos
+10 Total
No. 2 Rank
Hunter Benson
+10 Total
No. 2 Rank
Juan Pablo Garcia Gonzalez
+10 Total
boys 12-13
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Winter Garden, FL – September 2025, Haoyu Yong (Winter Garden, FL) claimed the Boys 12–13 Division title at the Orange County National Junior Open, finishing with rounds of 79–84 for a two-day total of +19 (163). Competing on familiar turf, Yong’s opening round set the tone and gave him the edge over the field.
Fellow Winter Garden native Mason Reinhart placed second at +27 (171), while Zain Sadiq (Sanford, FL) followed close behind in third at +29 (173). Evan Pratt (Montverde, FL) rounded out the top four at +36 (180).
Yong’s consistency across both rounds was enough to separate him from the competition and secure a strong home victory.
Rank
Player
Total
No. 1 Rank
Haoyu Yong
+19 Total
No. 2 Rank
Mason Reinhart
+27 Total
No. 3 Rank
Zain Sadiq
+29 Total
girls 14-18
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Winter Garden, FL – September 2025, Aliisa Helminen (Menasha, WI) rose above a packed leaderboard to capture the Girls 14–18 Division at the Orange County National Junior Open. Helminen posted rounds of 78–75 to finish at +9 (153), securing a one-shot victory.
Emma Ziniuk (Magnolia, TX) made a strong push with a closing 75 to take runner-up honors at +10 (154), while three players tied for third at +11 (155): Mia Buech (Orlando, FL), Anni Eberhardt (Koenigsbronn, Germany), and Ana Hernandez (Doral, FL).
Further down the board, Mikayla Pungsuwan (Bradenton, FL) and Aleysha Ramos (Humacao, Puerto Rico) tied for sixth at +19, while competitors from the Bahamas, Spain, Taiwan, and Germany rounded out an international field.
Helminen’s steady closing round ultimately gave her the edge in a division where just a handful of strokes separated the top five.
Rank
Player
Total
No. 1 Rank
Aliisa Helminen
+9 Total
No. 2 Rank
Emma Ziniuk
+10 Total
No. 3 Rank
Mia Buech
+11 Total
No. 3 Rank
Anni Eberhardt
+11 Total
No. 3 Rank
Ana Hernandez
+11 Total