Brett Wilson, of Mesa, took the victory at the 18th Annual Thunderbird Invitational with scores of 73-70=143. In the Girls 15-18 Division, Madison Kerley, of Chandler, took top honors with scores of 76-70=146. In the Boys 13-14 Division, Noel Sims won with scores of 78-77=155. Alisa Snyder won the Girls 13-14 Division with scores of 77-86=163. The 36-hole tournament was played March 3-4 at Papago Golf Course and was sponsored by the Thunderbirds.

Brett Wilson, who will be playing golf at Colorado State University this fall, had 6 birdies in his final round en route to the victory. Playing in the final group of the day, Wilson got up-and-down from the greenside bunker on the 18th hole, making a clutch fifteen-foot par saving putt to win by one stroke over defending champion Peter Koo (72-72=144). Zach Wright and Blake Cannon finished tied for 3rd, with 2-day totals of 145.

Madison Kerley fired a final round 2-under par 70 to break away from the pack and take the victory in the Girls Division. Kerley shot a back nine 33 on Sunday, including birdies on three of the final four holes. Finishing in 2nd was Morgan Messick, of Tucson, with scores of 75-73=148. 

Several players in the field have signed a letter of intent to play college golf next fall. In the Boys 15-18 Division, Zach Wright has signed with Louisiana State University, Kale Davidson with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Wilson with Colorado State University.

Working in tandem with the Thunderbirds and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona, the 18th annual Thunderbird Invitational featured 60 of the state’s finest junior golfers, ages 13-18.

“The Thunderbirds work within the world of golf is unrivaled and while so much attention is focused on their sponsorship of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the most well-attended golf tournament in the world, it is their continual efforts with Arizona’s junior golfer that deserves accolades as well,” said Tom Cunningham, Executive Director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. “The Thunderbirds are very much connected with this tournament not only financially, but they volunteer their time to assist with registration, starting, spotting on the course and scoring. This event hones the competitive skills of some of our finest junior golfers, who often times, use this event as a springboard for the rest of their JGAA schedule.”

For complete results of the 18th annual Thunderbird Invitational, visit the Junior Golf Association of Arizona web site at www.jgaa.org or call their office at 602.944.6168.