Round 1 Recap
July 24, 2018 (Anaconda, MT) – The first round of the 46th Annual Junior America’s Cup, hosted by the Montana State Golf Association is, in the books with the team from Mexico represented by Mauricio Figueroa, Alejandro Gutierrez, Alejandro Madariaga and Gabriel Ruiz jumping out to an early 3 stroke lead at the Fairmont Hot Springs Montana Resort.
Mexico One’s entire team played strong on day one of the of the championship, with Mauricio Figueroa posting the low score for the team with a seven-under-par (65) that featured 8 birdies on the day. Ruiz & Madariaga also factored into the team scoring with rounds of 69 & 68 respectively. The teams day one total of fourteen-under-par (202) is enough to give them a 3 stroke lead over a strong contingent from Arizona and Colorado who both sit at (205) for the tournament.
The low scores of the day go to Dillon Stewart (Colorado) and Ian Siebers (Washington) who both carded opening rounds of eight-under-par (64), which tied the course record. Conditions were fair on day with the warm temperatures & less than breezy conditions making 6700 yard Fairmont Resort course very scorable for the players.
Like a collegiate event, the Junior America’s Cup features 18 teams of four boys representing their state, province or country. The competition takes place over 3 days with 18-holes played each day for a total of 54-holes played to determine the winning team. Each team counts its best three scores each round with the low scoring team after 54-holes being crowned the 2018 champions and presented with the champions medals & trophy.
Past Junior America’s Cup participants who have gone on to successful professional careers include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Rickie Fowler and local PGA Tour members Ryan Moore, Kyle Stanley, Alex Prugh, Joel Dahmen and Tony Finau.
