George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual set for August 11-12
ADDISON – The 16th edition of the George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual returns to UT Golf Club. One of the most popular events on the schedule sets the stage for the best juniors in the state to compete before the fall schedule arrives.
“We are excited to be heading to such a great site for this event,” shared Tournament Director Adam Schulte. “This is an event at a great venue which is the home course for one of the most well-accomplished golf tournaments in history. It’s exciting to see the players get to battle it out and be challenged by the course while also adding their name to an elite list of names as past champions.”
“Our goal was to create one of the premier junior golf events in Texas,” said Randi Long, managing director of the Hannon Cup Association. “Thanks to the support of Texas Mutual and the Legends Junior Tour, we’ve achieved that vision and are able to watch top players from across the state and beyond compete for this historic title.”
Texas Mutual Insurance Company is one of the state’s leading workers’ compensation providers. Jeremiah Bentley, Texas Mutual’s vice president of marketing and customer engagement, continues to share how proud they are to be associated with this tournament.
George Hannon, born in Kemp, Texas, had a 59-year PGA career, including an 18-year term as the University of Texas men’s golf coach. In his 18 seasons leading the University of Texas men’s golf team, George Hannon guided the Longhorns to 12 Southwest Conference titles and back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1971 and 1972. He also coached Ben Crenshaw to two individual titles (1971 and 1973) and a shared championship with teammate Tom Kite in 1972.
Hannon’s teams featured future Tour players like Mark Brooks, Phil Blackmar, Brandel Chamblee, Rik Massengale and Paul Thomas, as well as dozens who went on to become club professionals. Known for his balanced approach, Hannon emphasized both individual growth and team success, instilling in his players that even a tough round could still help the team.
The University of Texas Golf Club is a 7,412-yard, par 71 championship golf course designed by Bechtol Russell Golf Design. Located in the scenic Texas Hill Country, the course offers stunning views of Lake Austin and borders the Balcones Natural Wildlife Preserve, providing both challenging play and breathtaking scenery that ranks among the best in Austin.
The Legends Junior Tour has conducted the George Hannon Junior Invitational since the Hannon Cup Association created the event in 2009. The tournament brings together the top 96 boys and girls from around the state, competing in the Boys, Girls, and Boys 14 & Under divisions.
At the 2024 George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual, Kenedy’s Adam Villanueva went wire-to-wire to capture the Boys Division title on his future home course at the University of Texas Golf Club. The Longhorn commit racked up 14 birdies over two rounds to secure the win.
In the Girls Division, Coppell’s Alicia Bellendir rallied from four shots back with a steady even-par 71 to edge the field by one stroke and claim her second Legends Junior Tour victory of the season.
Grapevine’s Austin Anderson topped the Boys 14 & Under Division, carding six birdies across two rounds. His clutch par save on the 18th sealed the win and added another title to his LJT resume.
The George Hannon Junior Invitational is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard, with the top half of each division earning points toward the LJT Player of the Year Standings. The top finishers in the Boys 15-18 and Girls 12-18 divisions will also earn AJGA Performance Stars.
Players in the George Hannon Junior Invitational are members of the Texas Junior Golf
Alliance, a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association and the Southern and Northern Texas PGA Sections. The alliance provides junior golfers with top-tier competition across the state and a path to gain experience and grow throughout their junior golfing careers.
For more information on the George Hannon Jr. Invitational presented by Texas Mutual, click here.