June 24, 2024|Maili Bartz
Final results of the 2024 U.S. Junior and Girl’s Junior Amateur Qualifier results. Both qualifiers were conducted by the Louisiana Golf Association at Farm D’Allie Golf Club in Carencro, Louisiana on Monday, June 24, 2024.
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Carencro, Louisiana – The trio of Jaxon Bandelier of Austin, Texas, Dylan Villarreal of McAllen, Texas, and Benxing Shi of Thailand have secured co-medalist honors at the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier. Each player posted impressive rounds of five-under-par 67 on the challenging course, earning top spots in the qualifier.
Bandelier’s round included eight birdies, seven pars and three bogeys. Villarreal carded an impressive bogey free round. Benxing Shi also delivered an impressive performance making birdie on #17 and eagle on #18 to secure his spot.
Joining them in advancing to the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course), Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on July 22-27 is William Lisle of Bradenton, Florida after he secured his spot with a solid round of four-under-par 68 and defeating Nolan Harper of St. Augustine, Florida in a playoff on hole 18 at Farm d’Allie Golf Club. Harper finished as the first alternate, while Luke Ballintine of Birmingham, Alabama is the second alternate.
Amelia Guo from Seabrook, Texas, and Ein Kim from the Republic of Korea have both qualified for the upcoming U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, which will be held from July 15-20, 2024, at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. Guo earned medalist honors in today’s qualifier at Farm D’Allie Golf Club by finishing with the lowest score of the day, a 70, which was two strokes under par. Her performance was steady and consistent, featuring key birdies on holes 3, 5, and 7, resulting in an even split of 35 on both the front and back nine.
Ein Kim also secured her spot in the championship by finishing with a score of 71 and winning on the second playoff hole against Harper Anne Hinckley of McComb, Mississippi. Kim’s one stroke under par round showcased her skills with a balanced round of 35 on the front nine and 36 on the back nine. Hinckley finished as the first alternate, while Megan Rodrigues of Houston, Texas, is the official second alternate. Both qualifying fields endured heat and humidity throughout the day.
The U.S. Junior Qualifier was played at 6,916 yards and was one of 42 qualifying sites for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. This year, 3,522 entries were accepted, with 264 spots available across the qualifying locations for the field of 264 at the 2024 U.S. Junior Championship at the Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Known for its challenging layout, Oakland Hills gained notoriety after Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s renovation, earning the nickname “The Monster.” Ben Hogan famously said, “I brought ‘The Monster’ to its knees” after winning the 1951 U.S. Open there.
The U.S. Girls’ Junior was played just over 6042 yards with the field of 19 vying for two of the 156 spots in the field of 156 at El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, California. This year the USGA accepted 1,576 entries for the U.S. Girls’ Junior. Amy Alcott, the 1973 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion who went on to win the 1980 U.S. Women’s Open in a Hall-of-Fame career, is an honorary member of El Caballero Country Club. She is a native Southern Californian.
About the LGA
The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to unifying the golf community across Louisiana. Since its inception in 1920, the LGA has expanded its scope to offer a variety of championships, including the Junior Amateur Championship and the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour. The LGA is committed to providing exceptional services in Championship Administration, USGA Handicap System oversight, and Rules of Golf authority, ensuring fair play and integrity throughout the state.
The LGA supports golfers of all levels through its Course Measuring and Rating services, comprehensive tournament management, and educational seminars on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. By partnering with entities like the Audubon Golf Trail and Gulf States PGA, the LGA fosters growth and inclusivity in the sport.
As the authoritative body for amateur golf in Louisiana, the LGA maintains the WHS Handicap Index, crucial for assessing individual performance, and continues to uphold the game’s traditions and values. For more information, visit LGA.org or contact us at 337-265-3938.
For Media Inquiries:
Maili Bartz
Director of Marketing and Communications
maili@lgagolf.org
