Savannah Junior Open

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Junior Open delivered a true championship test as the Boys 16–18 field took on The Club at Savannah Harbor, a venue defined by its waterfront exposure, strategic design, and demanding green complexes. Over two rounds, the course asked competitors to manage wind, control trajectory, and remain disciplined in an environment where small mistakes were quickly magnified. At the top of the leaderboard, A.J. Gardner emerged as the most consistent player in the field, finishing at +5 to secure the title. Competing out of Bluffton, South Carolina, Gardner opened with a steady 72 before navigating tougher conditions on Sunday with a 77, relying on smart decision-making and patience as Savannah Harbor tightened its grip late in the championship. The chase remained competitive throughout the weekend. Joey Looby of Cheyenne, Wyoming, finished second at +13, while Jackson Geiger and Edward Robbins shared third at +15, each battling shifting winds and firm putting surfaces that made sustained momentum difficult. With the course exposed along the water, players were required to commit fully to shot shapes and yardages, especially on approach shots into greens guarded by subtle slopes and runoff areas. Savannah Harbor’s defining challenge revealed itself as the rounds progressed. Tee shots demanded precise placement to avoid trouble, while approach shots required exact distance control to hold firm greens that rejected anything imprecise. Misses were often penalized with difficult recovery shots, reinforcing the importance of restraint and emotional control. Pars carried real value, and aggressive decisions were rarely rewarded. Hosting the Savannah Junior Open, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour once again provided a championship-caliber environment that mirrored the realities of higher-level tournament golf. The venue tested not only technical skill, but also patience, adaptability, and resilience — qualities essential for success at the next level. When the final putts dropped, Gardner’s composed performance stood out on a course that demands respect. At Savannah Harbor, success was earned through discipline and trust in process, reinforcing why the venue remains a premier stage for elite junior competition and a meaningful proving ground for the HJGT’s top divisions.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Junior Open continued at The Club at Savannah Harbor with the Boys 14–15 division facing one of the most demanding tests of the weekend, as waterfront exposure, shifting winds, and firm green complexes challenged every aspect of course management. On a layout where patience outweighed aggression, composure became the defining skill. That composure belonged to Axel Bratti, who captured the division title at +29. Competing out of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, Bratti posted rounds of 83 and 90, navigating a course that consistently punished imprecision and tested emotional control. With wind influencing ball flight and greens requiring exact distance control, his ability to stay committed and limit compounding mistakes proved decisive. Behind him, Luke Steele of Acworth, Georgia, finished second at +43, grinding through conditions that made scoring difficult throughout the field. For many competitors, Savannah Harbor’s exposed holes along the water demanded constant adjustments, turning each shot into a decision-making exercise rather than a simple execution. As the tournament unfolded, the venue steadily asserted its identity. Tee shots required careful placement to avoid trouble, while approach shots had to account for wind and firm surfaces that rejected anything short-sided. Recovery play became a frequent necessity, and pars carried increased value as momentum proved difficult to sustain. Hosting the Savannah Junior Open, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour once again delivered a championship-caliber environment that mirrors higher-level tournament golf. For the Boys 14–15 field, the event served as a meaningful lesson in resilience and adaptability. When the final scores were posted, Bratti’s steady approach stood out on a course that demands respect. At Savannah Harbor, success was earned not through forcing the issue, but through patience, commitment, and the ability to manage adversity — qualities that define progress at the competitive junior level.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Junior Open continued to test discipline and resilience at The Club at Savannah Harbor, where the Boys 12–13 division faced one of the most exacting environments on the schedule. With exposed waterfront holes, shifting coastal winds, and firm greens, the venue demanded thoughtful course management and emotional control from start to finish. At the top of the leaderboard, Wylkes Whitlow emerged as the most composed competitor, finishing at +22 after rounds of 80 and 86. Competing out of St. Simons Island, Georgia, Whitlow navigated Savannah Harbor’s challenges with patience, committing to conservative targets and managing ball flight in conditions that punished indecision. On a course where small mistakes can quickly escalate, his ability to limit damage proved decisive. Savannah Harbor’s character was evident throughout the division. Tee shots required precise placement to account for wind and avoid trouble, while approach shots demanded exact distance control into greens that offered little forgiveness. Misses were often met with demanding recoveries, turning pars into valuable results and making momentum difficult to sustain. Hosting the Savannah Junior Open, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour once again delivered a championship-style experience designed to challenge developing players. The venue provided a meaningful proving ground—one that emphasizes patience, adaptability, and respect for the course. By the conclusion of the division, Savannah Harbor had reaffirmed its reputation as a true test of junior golf. For the Boys 12–13 field, the week offered a clear lesson: success on this stage comes not from forcing birdies, but from managing adversity and trusting disciplined decision-making in demanding conditions.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Junior Open continued at The Club at Savannah Harbor with the Boys 10–11 division facing a venue that demanded maturity, patience, and adaptability well beyond the age group. With coastal winds in play and firm, undulating greens, Savannah Harbor once again proved to be a true championship test for every competitor. John Isaiah Baker emerged as the division champion, finishing at +41 after navigating two challenging rounds. Competing out of Hoover, Alabama, Baker demonstrated resilience and focus on a course that consistently tested decision-making. Savannah Harbor’s exposed holes along the water required constant adjustments, and Baker’s ability to stay committed and finish rounds under pressure proved decisive. For the Boys 10–11 field, Savannah Harbor offered a meaningful developmental experience. Tee shots demanded careful placement, approach shots required precise distance control, and recovery play often became a critical part of the round. Pars were earned, momentum was fragile, and emotional control played a major role throughout the competition. Hosting the Savannah Junior Open, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour once again delivered a championship-style environment designed to prepare young players for the realities of competitive golf. The venue challenged fundamentals, patience, and composure — lessons that extend far beyond the scorecard. By the conclusion of the division, Savannah Harbor reaffirmed its reputation as a demanding but fair test. For Baker, the victory reflected perseverance and growth, earned on a course that rewards discipline and respect — qualities that define progress at the junior level.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Junior Open concluded at The Club at Savannah Harbor with the Girls 14–18 division navigating one of the most visually striking — and strategically demanding — venues on the schedule. With sweeping waterfront exposure, coastal winds, and firm green complexes, Savannah Harbor once again delivered a championship environment that rewarded patience, discipline, and thoughtful execution. Rising to the challenge was Maya Lilja-Vazquez, who captured the division title at +12. Competing on her home course in Savannah, Lilja-Vazquez managed the conditions with poise, committing to conservative targets and controlling trajectory in a setting where wind and water are constant factors. Her ability to stay composed across two demanding rounds proved decisive on a layout that rarely allows players to relax. Close behind, Cindy Moreki of Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, finished second at +15, while Magdalene Ford of St. Petersburg, Florida, followed in third at +19, as the field contended with a course that tested every aspect of decision-making. Savannah Harbor’s exposed holes along the water required full commitment to each shot, and approach play demanded precise distance control into greens that punished anything short-sided. What separates Savannah Harbor as a venue is its ability to amplify pressure. Tee shots must account for wind and visual deception, while approaches often require shaping the ball to hold firm putting surfaces. Misses frequently lead to difficult recoveries, making pars valuable and momentum difficult to sustain. Hosting the Savannah Junior Open, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour once again delivered a championship-caliber experience that mirrors the realities of higher-level tournament golf. The venue challenged players not just physically, but mentally — reinforcing the importance of patience, adaptability, and trust in process. By the end of the weekend, Savannah Harbor reaffirmed its reputation as a premier test for elite junior competition. For the Girls 14–18 field, the event served as both a competitive battleground and a developmental milestone — one where success was earned through respect for the course and the ability to execute under pressure from the first tee shot to the final putt.