With a list of past champions that reads more like a who’s who of competitive golf, the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club celebrates 18 years of elite junior golf competition in the Valley of the Sun this March 24-27.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic is a 54-hole (36-hole cut), stroke-play tournament contested on Longbow’s par-71 golf course. The field features 76 boys and 36 girls, from a handful of countries and more than 19 different states, including nine boys and five girls representing Arizona. Over the years, the event has hosted one of the strongest fields on the AJGA circuit.

Ever heard of Hunter Mahan? He won it in ’99. Chandler’s own Richard Lee took top honors in 2007. How about 2012 champion, Beau Hossler? He went on to finish tied for 29th in the U.S. Open that same year.

On the girl’s side, Paula Creamer is the only player in tournament history to win twice with back-to-back victories in ’03 and ’04. Alison Lee, 2010 champion, earned her LPGA Tour card in 2014 by sharing co-medalist honors at Qualifying School. And let’s not forget Scottsdale’s Lindsey Weaver, who validated her amazing 59 two months later with a course-record 64 on her way to victory in 2012.   

Despite the many success stories in tournament history, last year’s Girls Champion has to be one of the best. Hannah O’Sullivan of Chandler, fired a 10-under-par 203 for the tournament to win by nine strokes, in part, thanks to a final-round 4-under-par 67. In her third-straight appearance at the event, O’Sullivan finally notched the win after a T3 finish in 2013 and a runner-up in 2014.

“It’s been a really long time since I’ve won an AJGA event and I’ve come really close at this tournament,” O’Sullivan said. “It means a lot to finally close it out and get the victory, especially at this event. Heather Farr is such an incredible role model for me, so it’s really special.”

The then 16-year-old’s confidence was certainly riding sky high as she entered the field. Just weeks before the Heather Farr Classic, she made history on the national stage by becoming the youngest winner in Symetra Tour history at the Gateway Classic – again – held at Longbow Golf Club.  

O’Sullivan wasn’t done yet. She then went on to win 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. When asked how she felt after the final match, she said: “Incredible. I can’t really describe how good it feels. It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet. It was just such a tough match today, and to be able to come out on top, it’s just incredible. I just feel so blessed.”

On the Boys side, Jacob Solomon of Dublin, California, finished regulation play at last year’s Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic tied for the lead with Scottsdale’s Michael Feagles at 3-under-par 210. Solomon would go on to win the Boys Division after draining an 8-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole.

“In the playoff I hit a great wedge shot onto the green, and I knew the putt was going to drop,” Solomon said. “This is just really special because this is my third year coming back, and being able to finally get my victory here feels incredible.”

Michael Feagles, the guy on the wrong end of that playoff, will be back to settle some unfinished business in this year’s event. He’ll need to get past a host of other Arizona junior golfers with the same goal. Jake Chanen, Gavin Cohen, Jack Snyder and Trevor Werbylo are just a few of the local boys in the field. 

AZ residents on the girl’s side include a handful of solid players who have been tearing it up on the Junior Golf Association of Arizona’s (JGAA) competitive schedule: Emily Mahar, Ashley Menne, Alisa Snyder and Kelly Su. 

“We have nine boys and five girls competing in the Heather Farr Classic this year. To my knowledge that’s the most we’ve ever had,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “They all have been playing so well. I look forward to watching them compete.”

So do we!  The Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club is open to the public, and what a treat it is to see these talented teenagers play golf. It’s a great way for parents to give their aspiring junior golfers a front-row seat to some of the best golf action in the Valley of the Sun. And you can even play alongside them during the Junior-Am that will kick off prior to the tournament on Thursday, March 24. For more information, visit AJGA.org.