Chandler’s Mason Andersen and Scottsdale’s Kelly Su notched wins in the Boys and Girls Championship Divisions at the Tucson City Junior Championship, held at Dell Urich Golf Course and Randolph North Golf Course May 27-28. Andersen finished strong both days, carding five-under par cumulatively on the back nine to go along with only three bogies total for the 36-hole event (68-69—137). He finished at seven-under par, two strokes clear of Sierra Vista’s Briggs Duce. 

Su started the tournament with a blistering five-under 30 for the first nine holes. She followed that with an even-par 70 the next day (66-70—136) to finish one stroke ahead of Phoenix’s Mikayla Fitzpatrick at -4 for the tournament.

“Once again, thanks to a host of organizations such as the Tucson Conquistadores, Tucson City Golf, Ricki Rarick Junior Golf Programs and the Southern Chapter of the Southwest Section PGA, the Tucson City Junior Championship was huge success,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “The Randolph Golf Complex and its staff did a great job of hosting the event, and a special congratulations to Taylor Hughes of Tucson for earning the Michael J. Harris Core Values Award.”

The tournament featured 175 Arizona junior golfers (boys and girls) ages 8-18 competing in five age groups. Nathan Klinicki of Vail, AZ. won in the Boys 15-18 Division; Dana Nussberger of Tucson won in the Girls Division. It was a Menne family sweep in the 13-14 Divisions, as John Menne of Surprise, AZ. took top honors on the Boys side, and his sister Ashley Menne won on the Girls side. Alan Quezada of Phoenix won in the Boys 11-12 Division; Darlene Maitem of Anthem, AZ. won in the Girls 11-12 Division. Vincent Cervantes of Chandler, AZ., and Raina Ports of Oro Valley, AZ. won the in Boys and Girls 10 and under Divisions.

The Michael J. Harris Core Values Award was established in the memory of Michael J. Harris and is awarded to the player who demonstrates the qualities he lived by. Michael was a Tucson Conquistadores for 33 years and lived by their mission statement of being dedicated to continue the tradition of golf in Tucson and to promote athletics. He lived his life as he played golf, with honesty, loyalty, good sportsmanship, integrity, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance and courtesy. He loved to play golf for the friendships developed on the course and the positive competitive spirit that comes with the game. He loved his community of Tucson, the people who lived here and he worked on many causes to make it a better place for all to live. Professionally he worked in administration at the University of Arizona, was the administrator of a local hospital for 14 years, the CEO of a health care network and a realtor. His real passion, though, was his family, philanthropy and golf. He was founder or chairman of over 30 community originations including, but not limited to, the United Way, Rotary, Davis-Monthan 50 the Tucson Airport Authority.

Since its inception in 1962, the Tucson Conquistadores civic group has raised $29 million for young athletes. The group has an active membership of 200 business and professional men who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. Professional golf has been the primary source for the Conquistadores’ fundraising success. The Conquistadores currently sponsor the Tucson Conquistadores Classic, an Official PGA TOUR Champions Tour event staged in March.

Proceeds benefit The First Tee of Tucson, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Pima County Special Olympics, the JGAA and dozens of youth sports teams and events throughout Southern Arizona.