The JGAA announced the 2018 Sportsmanship and Player of the Year Awards across five age divisions at the annual awards banquet held October 21 at Moon Valley Country Club.

“As we look forward to the 2019 season, it’s important to take a moment to honor our shining stars of 2018,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “Ashley and Hayden certainly played well all season long, and we also saw a bunch of new faces making the list. Congratulations to the players, and thank you to all of the sponsors, parents, volunteers, golf clubs and supporters of the JGAA for making the 2018 season a successful and rewarding experience for the juniors.”

By earning Player of the Year honors in the Girls Championship division for the third consecutive year (2016-2018), Ashley Menne, 16, has become a permanent fixture at the awards banquet. Moreover, the Surprise resident won the points race in the Girls 13-14 division in 2015 as well as Girls 11-12 division in 2014 and 2013. All told, she has been the player of the year for an astonishing six consecutive years across four JGAA age divisions.

Hayden Sayre, 17, of Phoenix, is the 2018 JGAA Player of the Year in Boys Championship division, an achievement he also accomplished in 2016, before finishing in fifth place for 2017. In his five years playing JGAA tournaments, Sayer placed 21st on the list in 2013 in the Boys 11-12 division; and ninth in 2014 and second in 2015 in the Boys 13-14 division.

Player of the Year
Boys Championship:  Hayden Sayre – Phoenix
Girls Championship:  Ashley Menne – Surprise
Boys 15 – 18:  Alan Quezada – Phoenix
Girls 15 – 18:  Meghan Singh – Mesa
Boys 13 – 14:  Charlie Palmer – Phoenix
Girls 13 – 14:  Mattison Frick – Peoria
Boys 11 – 12:  Ryan Sefrioui – Scottsdale
Girls 11 – 12:  Alexis Vakasiuola – San Tan Valley
Boys 10 & Under: Gavin Ly – Goodyear
Girls 10 & Under:  Alexis Lamadrid – Phoenix

Sportsmanship Awards
Boys Championship:  Kohl Kuebler – Gilbert
Girls Championship:  Maya Benita – Tucson
Boys 15 – 18:  Jackson Huether – Tucson
Girls 15 – 18:  Breann Brennan – Chandler
Boys 13 – 14:  Camden Braidech – Scottsdale
Girls 13 – 14:  Paige Hammarstrom – Scottsdale
Boys 11 – 12:  Daniel Morris – Buckeye
Girls 11 – 12:  Raegan Capizzi – Scottsdale
Boys 10 & Under:  Shravan Ramesh – Scottsdale
Girls 10 & Under:  Ashley Shaw – Litchfield Park

Most Improved Awards
Boys: Gavin Krist – Chandler – 2018 – 86.8;  2017 – 101.1
Girls: Breann Brennan – Chandler – 2018 – 84.3; 2017 – 96.8

Volunteer of the Year – Phil Hannaford 

Hole-in-One Awards
Carter Moore – 2/10/2018 – Phoenix
Phoenix Metro Junior Championship
No. 2 at Bear Creek Golf Complex – Cub Course 120 yards, 6-iron

Trevor Lewis – 3/24/2018 – Prescott
AM&E Classic
No. 11 at Moon Valley Country Club
186 yards, 5-iron