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Email: pacnw@pgahq.com Website: Pacific Northwest Office: (360) 456-6496
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Ethan Schwan of Sammamish, Washington, and Nicole Tang of Bellevue, Washington, captured titles at the 2026 Pacific Northwest Junior PGA Championship, held May 29-31 at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington.
With their victories, Schwan and Tang earned the opportunity to compete in the 50th Junior PGA Championship, one of the PGA of America’s premier junior golf events. The championship will be conducted July 28-31, 2026, at Fields Ranch East and West in Frisco, Texas.
Ethan Schwan, 17, posted a three-round total of 140 (-4) to claim the Boys Overall Championship. He finished one stroke ahead of Christian Harlow and Ben Barrett. Harlow secured runner-up honors and the Pacific Northwest Section’s second qualifying spot for the Junior PGA Championship by winning a two-hole playoff.
Nicole Tang, 16, delivered a dominant performance in the Girls Overall Championship, recording rounds of 66 and 70 for a 36-hole total of 136 (-8). She finished ten strokes clear of runner-up Chanyoung Park.
As one of the PGA of America’s 41 Sections, the Pacific Northwest PGA Section will send four players to the Junior PGA Championship. Schwan, Harlow, Tang, and Park will represent the Section in Frisco later this summer.
“It feels great to qualify for the national championship,” said Nicole Tang. “I’ve played a few qualifiers before, but I missed it.” She was especially proud of the shot she made during the second round on hole 7. It had given her trouble before, but her approach shot on the second round was perfect.
“It’s such an important event and I’m really excited to get to play against the best players in the world,” said Ethan Schwan. During the final round, he made an eagle on hole 10.
“I’m honestly so excited… When I was 12, I couldn’t have imagined this happening,” said Chanyoung Park. After starting the final round two-over, she made a birdie and was able to bounce back.
“I’ve been trying to qualify for this for a little bit now and it feels great to get this one down,” said Christian Harlow. He made a 30-foot putt to win the playoff hole, securing his spot in the national championship.
Winning the Boys 13-15 age division was Noah Jang of Bellevue, WA. Nixon Dremousis of Seattle, WA finished second, losing in a USGA scorecard tiebreaker playoff.
Winning the Girls 13-15 age division was Allison Gu of Bellevue, WA won with Kaylie Bae of Happy Valley, OR finishing second.
Raymond Wang of Bothell, WA won the Boys 12 & Under. Hudson Ebel of Spokane Valley, WA finished second.
Holliday Sun of Clyde Hill, WA won the Girls 12 & Under. Ava Pham of Tacoma, WA finished second.
Final results: https://2026pnwjuniorchampionship.golfgenius.com
by Eric Jones, PGA
Held during PGA Championship week, the Secretary’s Cup brings together PGA HOPE veterans from across the country to celebrate camaraderie, healing, and the life-changing impact of golf through PGA HOPE and PGA REACH.
This was the first time the Pacific Northwest earned an invitation to the event. Competing for Team PNW were:
• Josh Cantrell, PGA — U.S. Air Force• Clinton Stayton — U.S. Army• Christopher Houle — U.S. Coast Guard• Ralph Brown — U.S. Navy• Kevin Wilson — U.S. Army
Teeing it up in front of a gallery was both exciting and intimidating. Nerves were high. Cameras were rolling. Spectators lined the tee.
But after the opening hole, Captain and PGA Professional Josh Cantrell gathered the team together on the second tee for a quick pep talk.
Josh reminded everyone why they were there.
Have fun. Relax. Enjoy the moment.
The message landed. The team responded with a birdie and never looked back.
Every member of the team contributed throughout the round. The defining moment came on the final hole, when Ralph Brown buried a clutch 7-foot putt to save par and help the Pacific Northwest team finish at 1-under par, tied for 6th place in the national championship.
More important than the score was what the week represented.
The Secretary’s Cup exists because PGA HOPE changes lives. Through golf, veterans rediscover connection, purpose, and community. This event showcases the very best of that mission on a national stage.
The Pacific Northwest PGA Foundation could not be more proud of this team and the way they represented our Section, our veterans, and the spirit of PGA HOPE.
The team was also grateful for the incredible support following them throughout the week, including representatives from BVA.org and America’s VetDogs, whose encouragement added even more meaning to the experience.
This was more than a golf tournament.
It was a celebration of resilience, healing, and the power of community.
