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By Randy Dodson, Fairways Media
One of the highlights of Utah's junior golf season returned June 8-9 with the Utah Junior PGA Championship, a tournament that not only crowns champions but also opens the door to a national stage.
For the first time, the championship was contested at Glen Eagle Golf Course in Syracuse, UT, where players in the 16-18 division competed for two boys and two girls qualifying spots into the 2026 Junior PGA Championship July 28-31 at PGA Frisco's Fields Ranch East and West courses in Texas. The 36-hole championship is also recognized by both the American Junior Golf Association and Junior Golf Scoreboard as a player rankings event.
When the final putts dropped, Draper's Megan Matsuura and Corner Canyon High School senior Will Pizza stood atop the leaderboards after impressive performances over two days. Also qualifying for next month’s national championship were runners-up Molli Mulhall and Jace Benson.
Matsuura posted rounds of 70-72 to finish at (-2) 142, capturing the Girls 16-18 division by three shots over Washington's Molli Mulhall, who closed with a final round 70 to finish at 145.
Hazel Peters, Ashlyn Cline, Palmer Mulhall, Taya Snow and Madeline Hadar earned alternate positions in order of finish.
For Matsuura, the victory represents the biggest win of her career and secures her first appearance in a national championship.
"I was very happy with my mental focus over the last two days and making sure I took it one hole and one shot at a time," said Matsuura, who will be a junior this fall at Corner Canyon High School.
Rather than watching scoreboards, Matsuura stayed committed to her own game throughout the championship.
"To be honest, I knew I was playing good, but I didn't know that I was going to win," she said. "I just wasn't thinking about it and just tried to play my game."
The reward is a trip to Frisco where she will compete against many of the nation's top junior players.
The Boys 16-18 division produced a battle between two of Utah's top juniors.
Pizza carded rounds of 66-64 for a (-14) total of 130, holding off Jace Benson, who finished just two shots back at 132 after rounds of 67 and 65.
Ryder Huish, Jaxon Erickson, Ben Wilson, Caleb Rees and Lincoln Peterson earned alternate positions.
Pizza's championship was built on consistency. Over 36 holes he played bogey free golf while recording 10 birdies and two eagles. Both eagles came on the par 5 11th hole and ultimately proved to be the difference. His final round 64 was also the lowest round of his career.
After birdies on the first and third holes, Pizza maintained control throughout the final round and continued to add birdies at key moments on the back nine. The victory sends the future University of Utah golfer back to a course he already knows well.
"I'm excited," Pizza said. "I played the course for High School Nationals a couple years ago in Frisco and it was awesome. I'm super excited to go back."
Pizza will play for the University of Utah this fall before serving a church mission. He plans to compete for the Utes upon his return.
Utes men's golf coach Garrett Clegg has watched Pizza's development.
"Great tournament and win for Will," Clegg said. "I'm excited for him to qualify for the Junior PGA Championship. It's a great event. Last summer Will really came on strong and proved he was one of the top players in the 2026 class. We are excited to have him on campus this fall."
Also collecting trophies at Glen Eagle were players competing in the Utah PGA Junior Series 13-15 age divisions. Jack Murray claimed medalist honors in the boys division at 9-under par, while Emily Meadows earned medalist honors in the girls division.
This year’s championship marked the tournament's first visit to Glen Eagle Golf Course following its move from Soldier Hollow Golf Course.
Glen Eagle and Utah PGA Professional Michael Garrison proved outstanding hosts, providing a championship setting on the links-style course worthy of one of Utah's premier junior events.
With four players now headed to Frisco and another successful championship in the books, the Utah PGA's junior golf program continues to showcase the depth of talent developing across the state.
Click here for complete Utah Junior PGA Championship results.
