Zachary, La. – July 14, 2023
Kale Fontenot of Lafayette is your 66th Louisiana Junior Amateur Champion. Fontenot carded rounds of 63, 72, and 65 to secure this year’s championship and shoot the 2nd lowest total to par gross score (-16) in Louisiana Junior Amateur history. He also becomes the first ever player to go back-to-back-to-back and win the Louisiana Junior Amateur three years in a row, cementing himself in Louisiana golf history as a Louisiana junior golf legend.
The rest of the field didn’t go down without a fight. Noah McWilliams of Benton stormed his way back from being four down after round two to get himself within one back of the lead. McWilliams had the low round of round three with a 8-under 64 to make things interesting. Coming down the stretch, Fontenot was able to secure back-to-back birdies on holes 16 & 17 to all but secure the championship and close the door on an emphatic comeback by McWilliams. McWilliams carded rounds of 69, 70, & 64 over the three days to finish at 13-under. McWilliams would finish three shots back of Fontenot and runner-up for a second straight year. Third place finisher, Kyle Traub of Metairie, had a spectacular showing carding rounds of 67, 71, & 67. Traub had spectators’ heads turning with his impressive play letting everyone know he is one of the best juniors in the state with still one more year of junior eligibility remaining. Fontenot and McWilliams both competed in the Louisiana Junior Amateur for the last time as they both now begin to look to the college ranks with Fontenot heading to Georgia Tech, and Noah McWilliams to LSU. They have both etched their names in Louisiana Junior golf history as two of the best to ever do it.
Fontenot received the “Past Champions’ Award” in the form of a $400 gift card. He will have his name engraved for the third time on the beautiful wooden plaque that honors each of the past Louisiana Junior Amateur Champions, dating back to 1958. The plaque will be displayed at his home club, Oakbourne Country Club until the 67th Louisiana Junior Amateur Championship. Fontenot also received a new Jones Sports Company golf bag embroidered with the LGA logo signifying his victory. Fontenot earned full exempt status with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Other AJGA Performance Based Entry Stars were awarded to the boys as follows: Top 5 (12 Performance Stars), Top 10 (8 Stars), Top 15 (4 Stars).
Adam Trahan of Crowley shot a final round 68 and a 54-hole total to par gross score of two over (+2) to win the First Flight over Kye Hanks of Lake Charles. Miller Davis of Bossier City finished in third-place in the first flight.
Maci Williams of Brusly dominated the 58th Louisiana Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at Beaver Creek, becoming the youngest female to win the title since the merger with the Louisiana Women’s Golf Association. Williams finished with a total score of 220, four-over par, including three birdies, three bogeys, and one double-bogey in her final round. The competition was intense, with the lead shifting between Williams and Samantha Schultz in the final round, especially during the last few holes. Schultz put herself in position to take the 58th Louisiana Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship into playoff holes with an eagle on the 18th hole after holing out from about 30 yards. After witnessing Schultz hole out for eagle and beginning to feel the pressure, Williams knew she could still make birdie and close the championship out. She did just that with a clutch two putt to avoid the playoff and put her name in the Louisiana Junior golf history books. This win not only brings tremendous pride to Maci Williams, a high school freshman from Brusly High School, but also places her at the top of the 2023 LJGT Player of the Year rankings, surpassing Evelyn Artieta, who is now in second place. Williams has been in outstanding form this season, winning both the 2023 Sam Burns Junior Four-Ball and now the Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship, with the Girls’ Junior Amateur win being her big break through on the Louisiana Junior golf circuit.
The championship took place in Zachary on an extremely hot day, with record-breaking temperatures. Beaver Creek Golf Course was in spectacular shape and earned great reviews from players and spectators. Beaver Creek Golf Course played to a par of 72 and measured approximately 6,700 yards for the Boys’ Overall category. The Girls’ Championship and 12-13 Boys played to approximately 5,600 yards. The 10-11 Boys’ age division played to approximately 5,000 yards.
Click here to view final Girls’ results.
Click here to view final Boys’ results.