Southern California fired a 6-under final round score, for a six-stroke victory over Washington, at the 52nd Junior America’s Cup, hosted by the Utah Junior Golf Association at Soldier Hollow Golf Course.

Southern California was led by the medalist Matthew Diehl, who was 11-under for three rounds, with scores of 69-66-70 (205). Rounding out the Southern California team were Nixon Lauritzen, with rounds of 72-71-71 (tied for ninth), Luke Ringkamp with scores of 77-75-68 (tied for 22nd), and Baron Nguyen with scores of 76-70-75 (tied for 28th). This is the third team title in the last four years for Southern California.

Washington fired a 7-under final round, the lowest of any team, to climb up to second place overall with an 8-under team score for three rounds. Pacing Washington was Ethan Schwan, who finished second individually with rounds of 71-69-69 (209). Additional Washington players include Walker Lamb tied for fifth (76-69-68), Theodore Snyder at tied for 22nd (75-73-72), and Jacob Kang at tied for 35th (81-71-72).

Host association Utah finished third overall, with a 6-under final round team score (4-under team score for three days). Leading Utah was Carter Papke with rounds of 73-69-71 (tied for fifth). Other Utah players include Jaxon Erickson with scores of 77-71-67 (tied for ninth), Parker Bunn with scores of 76-71-72 (21st), and Lance Loughton with scores of 78-68-79.

This year marks the first time in event history that the Boys and Girls Junior America’s Cup were hosted at the same facility (Boys on Gold Course, Girls on Silver Course at Soldier Hollow) by the same host association, the Utah Junior Golf Association. Arizona took the title in the Girls Junior America’s Cup for the first time ever, shooting 14-under for three rounds, for a 12-stroke victory over the second-place team of Southern California. Leading Arizona were Alexis Lamadrid (75-69-68) and Kaitlyn Helm (70-69-73) who tied for fourth. Lena Durette (72-76-72) and Alexis Vakasiuola (68-73-79) finished tied for 13th. The three co-medalists for the girls at 5-under were Regina Roldon, Mexico (74-68-69), Melinee Udom, Oregon (67-73-71), and Jasmine Wong, Hawaii (74-68-69).

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 three 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 champions and presented with the champions’ medals and trophy.

The 2024 competition marks the 52nd anniversary of the Junior America’s Cup championship and the fourth time it will be held in Utah. The previous time the event was hosted in Utah was 2006 at Ogden Golf & Country Club in Ogden, Utah. The team from San Diego won the championship that year. Junior America’s Cup alumni from the 2006 championship include Tony Finau and Zach Blair.

Past Junior America’s Cup participants who have gone on to successful professional careers include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, Ryan Moore, Kyle Stanley, and Tony Finau.