Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Henry Liebwein (Boys 13-18), Alexandra Phung (Girls 13-18), and Eli Widom (Boys 11-12) were all victorious at the South Florida PGA Junior Tour’s Jim McLean Labor Day Classic held this weekend at PGA National Golf Resort in Palm Beach Gardens. Competing on both the Champion and Fazio courses, more than 160 juniors from all across the nation showed up with hopes of claiming the prestigious Labor Day Classic title.

For Summer Pilot, golf has become much more than a sport. It has shaped her competitive career, strengthened her relationship with her dad, taught her valuable life lessons and helped prepare her for a future in healthcare. A Boca Raton native, Pilot grew up around sports and played basketball before ultimately choosing golf. Her father introduced her to the game and regularly brought her along to his golf clinics. She spent years watching, learning and becoming familiar with golf before competitive play ever became part of her plans. Then, during her freshman year of high school, Pilot told her dad something that would change the direction of her golf journey. She wanted to “play real golf.” That moment marked the beginning of Pilot’s transition from simply being around the game to pursuing it competitively. Her dad, who had first introduced her to golf, became an even bigger part of her development, serving as her swing coach, mental coach, caddie and biggest supporter. “I never pressured her. We just played. We had fun, and that’s what it was all about,” her dad said. “She said to me, ‘Dad, I want to play real golf.’ I said, ‘We play real golf, honey.’ And she said, ‘No, I want to play tournaments.’” What began as a father teaching his daughter how to play became a shared passion and a way for the two to spend time together, work through challenges and build a strong relationship around the game. “A lot of times when kids turn 14, 15, 16, the last person they want to hang out with is Dad or Mom,” he said. “I was very lucky that I got to hang out with her all through her teens and school years.” Behind that journey, however, was the support of her entire family, including her mom, who played an equally important role in helping Pilot pursue her goals. Throughout her junior and collegiate careers, her mom has made countless sacrifices, supported the demands of tournament and college schedules, and remained a constant source of encouragement through both the highs and lows. Together, her parents created a support system that allowed Pilot to pursue competitive golf while continuing to grow academically and personally. In 2020, Pilot began her South Florida PGA Junior Tour journey on the Links Tour, playing nine-hole events with her dad by her side as her caddie. The Links Tour gave her a foundation in the game, teaching her rules, etiquette and how to think through each shot. As she progressed to the Prep Tour, Pilot began developing her own game, discovering her strengths and learning how to manage herself on the course. Eventually, she moved to the Medalist Tour, where she competed against some of the best junior golfers in Florida. Each level brought a new challenge. The Links Tour taught her the fundamentals, the Prep Tour helped her develop her game, and the Medalist Tour taught her how to handle the pressure and mental demands of high-level competition. Those experiences would ultimately help prepare Pilot for college golf. She began her collegiate career at Florida Gulf Coast University before transferring to Tennessee Tech University, where she now competes at the NCAA Division I level as a junior while pursuing a degree in Biochemistry. When Pilot arrived at the collegiate level, she found herself surrounded by players who had been among the best golfers in their respective states. But rather than being overwhelmed by the competition, she felt prepared. “The Junior Tour really helped make the transition to college smooth for me,” Pilot said. “When I got to college, everyone was the top player in their state, and I had already experienced competing against some of the best players in Florida. There weren’t as many surprises.” College golf also gave Pilot a new perspective on competition. While junior golf is largely individual, college golf gave her something bigger to play for: her team. “Junior golf is individual because it’s you versus the field,” Pilot said. “When you play on a team, you have something to play for. You want to perform and be your best for the team’s success.” Head Women’s Golf Coach Amanda Smith has seen that same balance in Pilot since she arrived at Tennessee Tech. “Summer is a soul that just lights up the room. She’s super competitive, but she also enjoys being around other people and being part of the game. She knows when to be serious and when to have fun, and she brings that balance to our team,” Smith said. “She’s super coachable, and you can tell from her junior career that she put a lot of work in and really wanted to be good.” Away from the course, Pilot has learned to balance the demands of Division I athletics with a rigorous Biochemistry curriculum, laboratory work, travel and tournaments. Organization and communication have become essential, allowing her to stay ahead of her coursework while managing her golf schedule. That commitment has paid off. Pilot currently maintains a 4.0 GPA while pursuing her Biochemistry degree and has her sights set on a master’s degree. She also hopes to become an anesthesiologist assistant, combining her interest in science and chemistry with her desire to pursue a career in healthcare. She sees a natural connection between the skills required in golf and those she will need in the medical field. Golf has taught Pilot patience, emotional regulation, thoughtful decision-making and how to remain calm under pressure. Her faith, teammates and family also help keep her grounded through the highs and lows of being a student-athlete. While her golf career has taken her to the collegiate level, some of Pilot’s favorite memories remain rooted in the South Florida PGA Junior Tour. Her fondest Junior Tour memory came at Indian Spring, where she made her first hole-in-one on the Prep Tour at No. 13. The moment was especially meaningful because Indian Spring was also the site of her first-ever tournament. Pilot celebrated the ace on the tee box with her playing partner and good friend Payton Balliet, while her parents and grandparents watched nearby. By her senior year of high school, Pilot had developed into one of South Florida’s standout junior golfers. She served as captain of the Boca High School varsity golf team, finished ninth in the 3A High School State Championship and placed third in the South Florida PGA Junior Tour Championship. Her accomplishments also earned recognition as an ESPN Palm Beach Land Rover Player of the Week, Sun Sentinel Golf All-County First Team selection and Boca High School Player of the Year. Having gone through the recruiting process herself, Pilot encourages junior golfers beginning to consider their college options to be patient and ask questions. For her, finding the right college was about more than choosing a school with a strong golf program. It was about finding an environment that fit her game, academic interests and long-term career goals. Today, the young golfer who once attended her dad’s clinics and told him she wanted to “play real golf” is a Division I student-athlete, Biochemistry major and accomplished junior golfer. From the Links Tour to the Prep Tour, the Medalist Tour and now Tennessee Tech, each step has taught Pilot something that extends beyond the scorecard. Golf has given her a competitive career, lifelong friendships, a stronger relationship with her dad and lessons she will carry with her long after her final college round. Along the way, the unwavering support and sacrifices of her family have helped make that journey possible. What started as a way to spend time with her dad has grown into a foundation for the person—and future healthcare professional—she hopes to become. Summer Pilot - Website Tennesse Tech Womens Golf

Palm Beach Gardens & Miromar Lakes, FL - Eleven local qualifiers. Two sub-regionals. One iconic destination. 32 of South Florida’s finest junior golfers are heading to TPC Sawgrass on September 12th for the Drive, Chip, and Putt regional qualifier—putting a dream trip to Augusta National just within reach. Drive, Chip, and Putt is a partnership between the USGA, the Masters Tournament, and the PGA of America. Open to boys and girls ages 7–15 of all skill levels, this nationwide initiative offers free participation. Drive, Chip, and Putt aims to help participants develop a lifelong interest in the game of golf by focusing on three fundamental skills. The path to the national stage began with local qualifiers, where hopefuls vied for the opportunity to advance to one of two Sub-Regional competitions hosted at BallenIsles Country Club and Miromar Lakes Golf Club. In a testament to the high level of skill on display, only the top two finishers in each age bracket successfully punched their ticket to compete at the legendary TPC Sawgrass.

Boca Raton, FL - Team Abacoa captured both the 17U and 13U titles at the 2026 PGA Jr. League Championship at Osprey Point Golf Course. The championship featured a 9-hole, two-person scramble stroke-play format on Osprey Point’s Falcon Course. Heading into the final pairing of the 17U division, Abacoa and Don Law Golf Academy were tied atop the leaderboard. With the teams tied, the championship was decided using the event’s stroke-play tiebreaker, which compares the aggregate team total using all four pair scores. The Abacoa All Stars, coached by Dave Pesacov, PGA, ultimately secured the 17U title with an overall team score of 3-under-par. Zach Balfour and Logan Branding posted the low round for Abacoa, finishing at 4-under-par.  Joining the 17U team at the Regional Qualifier will be the Abacoa All Stars 13U team, also coached by Pesacov, PGA. Luciano Pueblo and Rocco Kolkowski posted the low round for the 13U team, finishing at 3-under-par and helping Abacoa to an overall team score of 6-under-par. Both Abacoa teams will advance to the PGA Jr. League Regional Qualifier, October 2–4, at Sunkist Country Club in Biloxi, Mississippi, where they will compete for a chance to advance to the PGA Jr. League Championships. Saturday's Section PGA Jr. League Championship was the first of three phases en route to the national PGA Jr. League Championship. The 17u National Championship will be held at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, Oct. 22-25, and the 13u National Championship will be held at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch West, Nov. 11-15. Captaining the participating teams were Brittany Ferrante, PGA/LPGA (Tequesta), David Flinn, PGA (BallenIsles), Diego Fernandez (Don Law), David Pesacov, PGA (Abacoa), Zackary Shriver (North Palm CC), Christopher Cupp, PGA (Broward), and Jeff Jones, PGA (Valencia). Thank you to Osprey Point for hosting another incredible Jr. League Section Championship event!

Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Jack Leen of Port Saint Lucie and Olivia Hartman of Palm Beach Gardens captured titles at the 2026 South Florida PGA Junior Cup played July 27-29 at BallenIsles Country Club on the East Course. Boys 13–18 Division After the first round, Henry Leibwein of Fort Myers led the Boys 13–18 Division, firing an impressive 4-under par, sitting one stroke ahead of Patrick Pinkney of Lauderhill, and three in front of Jack Leen of Port Saint Lucie. In round 2, Leen responded with a 4-under performance, surging to the top of the leaderboard among the 26 players who made the cut. Going into round three, Leen was leading by one shot over Leibwein, but a steady 1-over round led to Leen’s first-ever victory on the South Florida PGA Junior Tours. Through this victory, Leen also qualified for the Cameron Young and Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup on December 12-14, 2026. “I’ve been putting myself in good positions all summer,” Leen said. “The first day I’ll shoot a good round, and the second day I’ll blow up, so it’s nice to get the job done.” Reid Korody of Jupiter and Brooks Hansen of Jupiter both finished the championship at 3-under-par. Korody's impressive 3-under performance over his final six holes earned him the tiebreaker for runner-up honors, while Hansen finished in third place. Leibwein claimed fourth at 2-under-par, followed by Matthew Stigliano of Palm Beach Gardens in fifth place at 1-over-par. Girls 13–18 Division In the Girls 13–18 Division, Mia Heuberger of Palm Beach Gardens held the first-round lead at even-par, one stroke ahead of Nicole Wu of Davie. After opening with a 2-over-par round, Rain Jiang of Sarasota surged into the lead with an even-par second round, taking a three-shot advantage into the final day among the nine players who made the cut. Despite Jiang's lead entering the final round, Olivia Hartman of Palm Beach Gardens carded a tournament-low 1-under-par round to rally for the championship, earning her first South Florida PGA Medalist Tour victory since joining the tour in 2024. “This win means a lot, especially knowing that I stuck to my game and all that the practice paid off,” Hartman said about her victory. Finishing the event in second was Rain Jiang of Sarasota at 7-over. Stella Ronja Lind of Doral finished in third position at 8-over, while Nicole Wu of Davie and Petra Compton of Palmetto Bay finished tied for fourth place at 11-over to round out the top five.

Atlantis, FL – Mia Heuberger and Hudson Fee were crowned champions at the Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour event, held July 16-17, 2026, at Lost City Golf Club in Atlantis, Florida. Boys 13–18 Division After the first round, Hudson Fee of Fort Lauderdale and Jack Leen of Port Saint Lucie led the Boys 13–18 Division by one stroke at 4-under. Braden Chamberlain of Pompano Beach and Dylan Schilling of Port Saint Lucie finished round one right behind the leaders at 3-under. With a 1-over second round, Fee earned the championship title, finishing at 3-under. Fee’s performance helped him achieve his first victory on the 2026 Srixon South Florida PGA Medalist Tour. Finishing round two tied for second, Chamberlain and Leen were put into a scorecard playoff, where Chamberlain’s even-par back nine made him the sole runner-up. Leen finished in third position, Schilling finished in fourth place, and Ryan Lavoie of Port Saint Lucie and William Richards of Miami finished tied for fifth. Congratulations to Jake Williams of Coral Gables, scoring a hole-in-one during round one on the eighth hole, playing 160 yards. Williams finished the event tied for seventh with a tournament total of 3-over. Girls 13–18 Division In the Girls 13-18 Division, Mia Heuberger of Palm Beach Gardens fired away in round one, tied in the first position with Jamie Baker of Lake Worth. The two led the field by four strokes after shooting a 4-under-par over Elisa Hernandez of Parkland. With a steady 2-over round two, Heuberger claimed the victory by four shots with a final score of 2-under. This event marks her second tournament win on the Srixon South Florida PGA Medalist Tour for the 2026 season. Petra Compton of Palmetto Bay bounced back in round two with a 1-under performance to finish at 2-over, forcing a scorecard playoff with Hernandez. Ultimately, Hernandez secured the runner-up spot by shooting 1-under on the back nine, leaving Compton in third place. Baker finished in fourth place, and Nishika Koduru of Boca Raton placed fifth.

NAPLES, FL - The 2026 Brendan Cunningham Junior Open concluded today with standout performances and a heartfelt tribute to a cherished figure in South Florida golf. Held at The Rookery at Marco in Naples, Florida, the event welcomed 70 players. Kaden Latreille of Naples captured the Boys 13–18 Division title with an impressive performance over 56 holes. Latreille opened the championship with a 4-under-par 68, highlighted by five birdies. He caught fire in the final round, carding the tournament's low round of 6-under-par 66 to finish at 12-under for the championship and claim the overall title by five strokes. The victory marks Latreille's first on South Florida PGA Junior Tour since joining the Medalist Tour in 2023. Henry Liebwein of Fort Myers finished runner-up in the Boys 13–18 Division at 7-under par for the championship. He climbed three spots on the leaderboard in the final round after firing a 5-under-par 67, then secured second place in a scorecard playoff decided by the scores on holes 10–18.. In the Girls 13–18 Division, Reese McMillan of Jupiter delivered a dominant performance from start to finish. McMillan took the first-round lead after opening with a 3-under-par 69 and never looked back. Her championship was highlighted by a bogey-free final round of 3-under par to secure the title. The victory marks McMillan's second South Florida PGA Junior Major title, with her first coming at the 41st Nicklaus Junior Championship in 2025 at The Bear's Club. Rain Jiang of Sarasota earned runner-up honors after finishing the championship at 4-over par. Formerly known as the South Florida Junior Open, the event was renamed in 2020 to honor Brendan Cunningham, a longtime supporter, dedicated volunteer, and true ambassador for junior golf in South Florida, who passed away in September of that year. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game, Cunningham received the 2016 South Florida PGA Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame in 2018. Known for his charismatic personality, colorful socks, and welcoming smile, Brendan left a lasting impact on players, families, and staff. In his memory, participants and spectators wore green and their favorite socks throughout the week, a tradition that continues to celebrate his legacy and love for the game. Cameron Young–Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup With his victory, Latreille secured a spot in the inaugural Cameron Young–Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup, to be contested December 12–14, 2026, at Emerald Dunes Club. The event will feature a 24-player Ryder Cup-style competition with Cameron Young and Justin Thomas serving as team captains. The South Florida PGA extends its sincere thanks to The Rookery at Marco and its staff for their outstanding hospitality and continued support of the South Florida PGA Junior Tour. The Brendan Cunningham Junior Open marked the fifth of nine Junior Majors on the 2026 South Florida PGA Junior Tour schedule. Up next is the SFPGA Junior Cup, scheduled for July 27–29 at BallenIsles Country Club (East Course). Event Leaderboard Event Photos

For South Florida PGA Junior Tour alumnus Harley Abrams, competitive golf did far more than provide memorable tournament experiences, it laid the foundation for a career in the industry. Today, Abrams works with some of the golf industry's most recognized brands, helping companies grow through sales, operations, e-commerce, and business development. Nearly every opportunity he's had can be traced back to the lessons, relationships, and experiences he gained through junior and collegiate golf. "A lot of it started from my junior golf career, which led me to being able to play college golf," Abrams said. "A lot of my connections came from my time playing golf in school."

BOCA RATON, FL – Kenny Klein and Nirvika Koduru captured titles at the 2026 Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Tour's fourth major championship of the 2026 season, the South Florida Junior PGA Championship, contested June 22-23 at Stonebridge Country Club. The 36-hole championship featured 75 junior golfers competing across two divisions, with Klein and Koduru emerging as champions. Boys 13-18 Division Kenny Klein of Palm Beach Gardens opened the championship with a 2-under-par 70, trailing first-round leader Tristan Rhodenizer of Palm Beach Gardens by two strokes. Klein delivered a strong performance in the final round, carding four birdies and fourteen pars to finish at 6-under par and claim his first South Florida PGA Junior Major title. “It was great to come away with a win, and it felt like I played some really good golf out there today,” said Klein. Klein also earned a spot in the 2026 National Junior PGA Championship with his victory. “I’m really excited. This was something I was looking forward to trying to qualify for this year. I’ve never been to Texas, so I’m excited to go there and see the course,” he said. The victory additionally secured Klein a place in the inaugural Cameron Young–Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup. “When it was first announced, it sounded amazing, and hearing more about it as it gets closer is really exciting. It’s going to be great to see Cam Young and Justin Thomas out there, and from what I hear, it will be an incredible experience,” Klein added. Rhodenizer finished as the runner-up at 3-under par to earn the second qualifying position into the Junior PGA Championship. Girls 13-18 Division In the Girls 13-18 Division, Nirvika Koduru of Boca Raton opened the tournament with an even-par round, sitting one stroke behind first-round leader Jolie Pastorick of Sarasota. Koduru remained steady throughout the final round, posting a 1-over-par 73 to finish the championship at 1-over par and capture her first South Florida PGA Junior Major title. The victory adds to an impressive resume that includes fifteen top-10 finishes since joining the South Florida PGA Junior Tour in 2023. “I was really looking forward to playing here and qualifying. It was one of my goals this year, and I’m super excited that I made it!” said Koduru. Koduru's win also secured her place in the 2026 Junior PGA Championship. “I’m excited to go to Texas for that event. It was definitely a big goal for me, and I’m thrilled to have achieved it,” she said. In addition, Koduru qualified for the inaugural Cameron Young–Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup. “I knew right away when I heard about this tournament at the start of the year that I wanted to qualify. After I learned that winning would secure my spot in Texas, I was even more motivated because playing with two amazing players is a dream for everyone. I can’t wait to be there for the Junior Challenge Cup,” she added. Yool Her of Pembroke Pines finished as the division runner-up to earn the second qualifying position into the Junior PGA Championship. Junior PGA Championship By virtue of their performances at Stonebridge Country Club, Klein and Koduru, along with runners-up Rhodenizer and Her, qualified for the 2026 Junior PGA Championship, scheduled for July 28-31 at the Fields Ranch East and West Courses in Frisco, Texas. Cameron Young–Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup With their victories, Klein and Koduru also secured spots in the inaugural Cameron Young–Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup, which will be contested December 12-14, 2026, at Emerald Dunes Club. The event will feature a 24-player Ryder Cup-style competition with Cameron Young and Justin Thomas serving as team captains. The next stop on the South Florida PGA Junior Tour Major Championship schedule is the Brendan Cunningham Junior Open, scheduled for July 9-11, 2026, at The Rookery in Marco Island. The South Florida PGA extends its gratitude to Stonebridge Country Club, led by Director of Golf Jeff Hall, PGA, Head PGA Professional Brandon Lawler, and Assistant Professional Jared Sisco, for hosting this year's championship. Event Photos Event Leaderboard Event Page