On the first putt of the final playoff pairing, Team Illinois (Lemont) captured the 2025 17u PGA Jr. League Championship at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, on Oct. 26.
In the head-to-head playoff between Team Illinois and Team Texas, all four pairings needed to play hole No. 9 to determine the champion. It was Kennedy Gutierrez, 15, who drained a 16-foot putt for birdie to clinch the title for Team Illinois.
“Focus on each shot, commit to it and don’t over think it. Just hit the ball,” said Gutierrez about her thought process going into the playoff. “It’s a lot of fun playing with the team.”
Team Illinois Coach Kevin Weeks, PGA, who led his squad to a fourth-place finish in the 2024 17u PGA Jr. League Championship, paused before reflecting on the win.
“You know, rarely am I speechless,” said Weeks, the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois. “We have great kids.”
Following their morning semifinal wins, Team Illinois moved forward to face Team Texas (Farmers Branch) in the Championship round. Team Illinois’ Brody Wall, 16, forced a playoff with his birdie putt on hole No. 9.
Team Texas Coach Joey Anders, PGA, Lead Teaching Professional at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas, reflected on his team’s performance with pride.
“Obviously we wanted a different outcome, but we couldn’t have asked for more from our kids,” said Anders. “They played hard, and they did the best they could.”
David Pyle, 16, the son of Team Texas Assistant Coach April Pyle, soaked in the memories of playing alongside his best friend since childhood, teammate Connor Bryce, 17.
“It’s just been an incredible experience,” said Pyle. “It’s really nice, because we end up playing against each other a lot, so it’s nice to have one week where we’re playing together.”
In the match for third place, No. 2 seed Team Florida (Orlando) defeated No. 1 seed Team Utah (Lehi), 6.5 - 5.5.
“It’s just been really fun, because golf is usually an individual sport,” said Team Florida’s Shane Frasure, 14.
At the awards ceremony, Emmett Garcia, Santa Ana Pueblo Member, Cultural and Governance Leader and Honored Council Member, shared meaningful messages with the crowd.
“We’ve been in this region probably about four times the history of the United States,” said Garcia. “Every part of this land is very sacred to us, so seeing you all playing here today and seeing the playoff was very moving.”
To wrap up the evening, Twin Warriors GM and Director of Golf Derek Gutierrez, PGA, gave a moving honor to his fellow Gutierrez.
“Kennedy, remember when I told you I offered you free golf anytime you’re here,” said Derek. “What you did on hole No. 9 was incredible. Here’s to a lifetime honorary membership. We’ll have to add your name to a locker.”
The final leaderboard saw Team California (Milpitas) finish fifth; Team Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) claim sixth; Team Iowa (Ames) place seventh; Team Connecticut (Middlefield) finish eighth; Team Ohio (Chagrin Falls) finish ninth; Team Virginia (Dulles) place 10th; Team North Carolina (Fuquay-Varina) finish 11th; and Team Kansas (Lenexa) finish 12th.
Editor’s note: The 13u PGA Jr. League Championship was scheduled to be played on Nov. 17–20 at PGA Frisco in Texas.