Junior Disc Golf Champions Crowned in Vermont
Date Published
The first-ever United States Junior Disc Golf Championship has concluded, crowning nine young champions in various divisions. The event, held at Smugglers' Notch Resort in Vermont, brought together competitors from over 30 states and two Canadian provinces for a week of action-packed disc golf.
The youngest champion was five-year-old Caleb Cilley, who demonstrated remarkable perseverance and skill to claim the U.S. title in the MJ6 division after three rounds on challenging championship courses. Addison Lowery, a talented young player from Georgia, emerged as the top female competitor in the FJ8 division, showcasing her skills on the Brewster Ridge course.
In the MJ8 division, Vermonter Finn Etter took control with an impressive 59 on Fox Run Meadows' junior layout, securing a commanding 16-stroke lead. This talented young golfer has been competing at Smugglers' courses since he was four years old and plans to continue improving his game.
The girls' side of the 8-and-under division saw Ava Meyer, boasting an impressive three PDGA wins and a third-place finish at Junior Worlds, dominate the field with ease. Her experience paid off as she cruised to victory in her division.
One of the most closely contested battles took place in the MJ10 division, where Wyatt Mahoney and Jai Badajos faced off in the final round. After trading blows throughout the day, it came down to a thrilling finish on the par-4 18th hole. Badajos seized the opportunity with a clutch approach shot, securing his title.
Other divisions saw comfortable victories for champions, including Lily Marr in FJ15, who won by more than 20 strokes. The oldest two boys' divisions, MJ15 and MJ18, witnessed intense battles that came down to the final hole.
In the MJ15 division, Evan Scott secured a wire-to-wire win after Zach Arlinghaus made a valiant effort to catch up on the final day. Meanwhile, in the MJ18 division, Alden Harris emerged victorious from a three-way tie with Justin Gilbert and Jarrett Johnston, finishing birdie-birdie to claim the championship.
The event was also marked by exciting off-course activities, including a putting championship finals in the FunZone 2.0 at Smugglers' Notch Resort, where kids competed for putting titles in each division.
Smugglers' Notch Resort and Kids Disc Golf worked together to create an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike. The event was supported by a team of four organizations, including Eagle Wings Disc Golf, the Green Mountain Disc Golf Club, Innova, and Discraft. With their combined efforts, they provided an amazing player's pack for the kids to enjoy.
As the inaugural United States Junior Disc Golf Championship comes to a close, all eyes are on next year's event, which promises to be even more exciting with its second edition.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/usjdgc-wrap