Jack McDevitt and Ariana Macioce win at the 20th Annual JGAA Thunderbird Invitational

Jack McDevitt of Chandler
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The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) hosted the 20th Annual JGAA Thunderbird Invitational at Papago Golf Course in March. The fields consisted of 76 of the best junior golfers in the state split between the Boys 13-18 Division and the Girls 13-18 Division. Jack McDevitt, of Chandler, won the Boys Division by two-strokes with a remarkable first round at 3-under par, the lowest on the tournament. Ariana Macioce, of Phoenix, took the Girls Division with rounds of 72-74=146.

McDevitt, fired an eagle 3 on the par 5, 15th hole and managed to hit a total of six birdies throughout the tournament. He is a freshman at Hamilton High School and recently won the JGAA Winter Classic last December. Majority of the Girls groups were unable to finish their first round on Saturday due to lightning and had to come back early Sunday morning to finish before starting the second round. Macioce was still able to shoot three birdies in the final round.  Macioce currently attends Xavier College Prep where her team won the DI High School State Championship. She had two wins last year in JGAA tournaments, including Phoenix Metro Jr. Championship and Antigua Milt Coggins AZ Junior Stroke Play. 

“This event constantly offers the top junior golfers in Arizona the opportunity to showcase their talent and compete at a high level which we witnessed this past weekend,” said JGAA Executive Director Scott McNevin. “Of course, this longstanding invitational is made possible through our partnership with The Thunderbirds and event hosts, Papago Golf Course,” says McNevin.



Top-5 finishers in each division:

Boys Overall Division:    Girls Overall Division:

1. Jack McDevitt    1.  Ariana Macioce
2. Chris Meyers    2.  Abby Cantwell
3. David Ricciardelli    3.  Madison Kerley
4. Jino Sohn    4.  Emily Mahar
5. Michael Feagles    5.  Haylin Harris

For complete results of the 20th Annual Thunderbird Invitational and more information on the Junior Golf Association of Arizona, visit www.jgaa.org or call 602.944.6168.