North Team Retains 2025 Jackie Burke Cup in Dramatic Finish at Galveston Country Club

The North Team retained the 2025 Jackie Burke Cup on Sunday at Galveston Country Club, securing the title in a dramatic finish that came down to the final hole of the final match.

Singles matches teed off No. 1 on Nov. 16 with the North holding a 13–11 lead over the South. The margin proved slim as both sides battled throughout the day, with every point shifting the momentum.

In Match 1, Marco Baima of San Antonio delivered the day’s most dominant performance, defeating Garland’s Landon Hilario 8 and 7. Baima, a Class of 2028 player, carded a 29 on the front nine to take control and closed out the match on No. 11.

Texas A&M–Texarkana commit Jacob Baker of Mount Pleasant and Lubbock Christian University commit Kaden Frierson of Austin halved Match 2 after Baker surged late with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17. Each side earned one crucial point as the overall scoreboard continued to swing.

Match 3 featured Lantana’s Henry Jackson and Austin’s Dylan Knox. Knox, a standout from Westlake High School, controlled the match and won 5 and 3.

In Match 4, Houston’s Ian Chen defeated Wylie’s Andrew Scott 3 and 2, giving the South another lift.

Lincoln Rubis of Farmers Branch, the 99th Texas Junior Amateur presented by Edwin Watts Golf Boys 14 & Under Division champion, claimed a key 5-and-4 victory over Houston’s Ryan Chen in Match 5, stabilizing the North’s position after a South run.

Match 6 saw a tight battle between 2024 Girls Division Player of the Year Stephanie De Marco of Southlake and Austin’s Julia Bae. De Marco earned a pivotal point for the North, winning 1 up after a hard-fought finish on No. 18.

In Match 7, 2025 Girls Division Player of the Year Eileen Lee defeated Pearland’s Krysta Loftin 4 and 3, pulling the overall score close as the final matches began.

The Boys 14 & Under Division rivalry between Del Rio’s Isaiah Diaz and Gunter’s Austin Anderson carried into Match 8, where Diaz won 4 and 3. His older brother, Isaac Diaz, followed with a 3-and-2 win over Jaxson Henagar in Match 9, adding another vital point for the South.

Match 10 again paired Grapevine’s Declan Dent with Austin’s J.P. Lynch after their intense 2024 finish. Lynch led 1 up heading to No. 18 and ultimately secured the win after both players missed the green long. Dent’s excellent bunker shot narrowly missed saving par, giving Lynch the match.

Future Texas State teammates Stone Fancher of Dallas and Corrington Case of Kingwood met in Match 11, where Fancher won 3 and 2.

The Cup came down to Match 12 between Arlington’s Matthew Lewis and Austin’s William Mangione. Entering No. 18, the North needed to win the hole to retain the Cup; the South needed a win to tie the match and clinch the title.

Both players found the fairway. Mangione’s approach landed on the front of the green but spun back into the rough, narrowly avoiding a penalty area. Lewis hit the center of the green, but his ball spun to the front, leaving a long uphill putt.

Mangione’s chip released past the hole, leaving a lengthy par attempt. Lewis judged his putt well, stopping it a foot short. Mangione conceded the hole, securing the 24-point total the North needed to retain the Jackie Burke Cup.

The North now leads the all-time series 11 wins to the South’s total.

The Legends Junior Tour extends its gratitude to the staff and membership of Galveston Country Club for hosting the 2025 Jackie Burke Cup and for their hospitality in showcasing many of the top junior golfers in Texas and across the nation.

Next on the Legends Junior Tour schedule is the 2025 Alamo Shootout, set for Dec. 6–7 at Flying L Ranch Resort in Bandera, Texas.

To view final results from the 2025 Jackie Burke Cup, click here.