Beckett, Lynch, and Zhang victorious at Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational
Briefly: Mackey Beckett carded a Final Round 72 to win the Boys 15-18 Division after a one-hole playoff at the 2024 Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational. JP Lynch adds to his already impressive 2024 LJT resumé by winning the Boys 14 & Under division after a 2-under 142 while Lisa Zhang claimed the Girls Division Title with a 6-over 150 total at White Bluff Resort – New Course. All players in the field were welcomed with great conditions and sunny weather in the Final Round.
2024 Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational Leaderboard
Boy’s Division: Mackey Beckett of Lakeway carded a 72-70—142 to force a playoff with Coltrane Mittag of Ashland, Nebraska. Beckett won the first playoff hole with a birdie, securing the championship while Mittag finished as the runner-up. Beckett battled throughout the day, maintaining his position atop the leaderboard. With the win, he earned exemptions into the 2025 Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, Texas Junior Amateur, Bluebonnet Championship, George Hannon Invitational, and Texas Cup Invitational. Tied for third were Preston Mohon of Southlake, Gray Gale of Dallas, and Jace Hulett of Boerne, all finishing at 1-under 143. Tied for sixth were Gabe Roach of Keller and Blake Goodnight of Dallas, both carding 73-71—144 to finish even par.
Girls Division: Frisco’s Lisa Zhang fired a 4-over 76 in the final round to win her first title of the 2024 LJT Season. Zhang battled with the other players in the lead group throughout the round, finishing with a 6-over 150 total, one stroke ahead of the field. With the victory, Zhang earns exemptions into the 2025 Bluebonnet Championship, George Hannon Invitational, and Texas Girls’ Invitational. Tied for second were McKinney’s Anika Singh, Pearland’s Krysta Loftin, and Joshua’s Kaylee Yuan, each finishing with a 7-over 151 total over 36 holes. Solo fifth place went to Frisco’s Megan Lee, who finished with an 11-over total of 79-76.
Boys 14 and Under Division: JP Lynch of Austin won the Boys 14 and Under Division with a strong 4-under 68, finishing the tournament at 2-under 142. This marks Lynch’s second consecutive win and fourth of the LJT season. With this victory, he earns an exemption into the 2025 Texas Cup Invitational. Finishing second was Lincoln Rubis of Farmer Branch, who shot 73-73 for a 2-over total. In third place was Austin Anderson of Gunter with a 75-72 for a 3-over total. Zachary Rubis of Farmer Branch finished fourth with a 74-75 for 5-over. Rounding out the top were Edward Lehner of Dallas and Veer Dev of Lucas, both at 8-over 152 for the 36-hole tournament.
The Course: White Bluff Resort – New Course is hosting the sixth Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational for the first time. The course played to just under 6934 yards for the Boys 15-18 division, 6548 yards for the Boys 14 & Under division, and 5995 for the girl’s division. This is the third Legends Junior Tour Championship hosted at the New Course at White Bluff Resort.
Weather: The temperatures started in the high 50’s on Sunday reaching a high of 88 in the afternoon under sunny skies. Little to no wind throughout the day made for ideal conditions for the competitors in the Final Round.
About the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational: The Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational is the final event in October on the Legends Junior Tour schedule and one of the last chances players have to earn points towards the Player of the Year Standings and earn spots on their respective Jackie Burke Cup teams. The Invitational is open to all players who have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. Players earn exemptions into the field through the Alliance Partners.
The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern Texas PGA, and Southern Texas PGA. The goal of the Alliance is to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. The players transition from regional events like the NTPGA and STPGA into statewide events like the LJT. The elevation of tours allows junior golfers a chance to grow their game while preparing them for the next level.
Up Next: The Legends Junior Tour will be heading to Hurricane Creek Country Club for the 2024 Jackie Burke Jr. Cup. First conducted in 2005, the season-ending Jackie Burke Cup is an invitation-only event that features the top 12 players from North Texas squaring off against their counterparts from South Texas in a Ryder Cup-style competition. Each team consists of eight players from the Boys 15-18 Division, two from the Girls 12-18 Division, and two from the Boys 14 & Under Division.
The Legends Junior Tour would like to thank White Bluff Resort for hosting the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational. Their staff and membership have been incredible and we appreciate their support of junior golf in Texas.
For more information on the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational, click here.