Junior golfers gain exposure to tourney competition at The Duke

For two afternoons after school this week, they competed in a low-stress, “fun” junior golf tournament to experience competition.

When it was over Thursday afternoon, Alejandro Guzman was runaway winner of the boys’ division and Nara Lesperance beat her sister Tiani by 11 strokes in the girls’ division of the second annual Maricopa Junior Golf Tournament at The Duke Golf Club at Rancho El Dorado.

The tournament was open to Maricopa youngsters in middle school and high school, in grades 6 through 12.

Guzman carded 40-40–80, easily outdistancing the field. Second place went to Zeke West, 50-53–103 and third to Owen Webb, 57-49–106. Rounding out the top of the leaderboard were Michael Blondin, 53-54–107; Nelson Brock, 62-60–122 and Riley Bruntz, 65-72–137.

In the girls’ division, Nara Lesperance won with 38-37–75. Others atop the leaderboard were Tiani Lesperance, 43-43–86; Jaidence McAdams, 44-47–91; Aylonii Walls, 65-63–128 and Olivia Goodwin, 71-70–141.

Trophies were awarded to the top three in each division.

The tournament was sponsored by Native Grill and Wings, Culver’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Maricopa Water and Ice.