Fitzgerald & Smith Come Out On Top At The Mizuno Aurora Junior Championship

Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGAJR) held its first Major Championship of the summer earlier this week at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado. Both boys and girls showcased their unwavering resilience, battling it out for three straight days in tough conditions that tested their playing ability. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the players demonstrated their mental toughness, adding an extra layer of challenge to our Major Championship.

The tournaments started with a full field of 90 juniors, with 60 boys and 30 girls teeing it up on Monday. After play on day two, a cut was made that advanced 30 boys and 16 girls to the final round. Our boy's Champion was Johnathon Smith, shooting 75-75-76, totaling 226 for the three days. “The course played tougher,” stated Smith when discussing the course conditions. “I hit the ball really good, especially off the tee, just couldn’t really score and I just had to be patient and know that I was still in the tournament no matter what.” Smith attributes his mental game to what helped him this week. Smith stated that the key to his success was “staying in the moment, stay present, just not let anything hold me back. If I make a mistake, move on, be patient, and just stay in the tournament and know that I could still win.”

Our girls Champion was Scout Fitzgerald, shooting 74-85-75, totaling 234. “I like how far we played from. I have played this course tons and tons of times and never played it like it was this week.” Fitzgerald not only chipped in for a birdie on her final hole but also chipped in to win the playoff against Macy Kleve, who also finished the tournament with a three-day total of 234.

The COPGA Junior Golf team would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our partners for this event. Josh Knipp and Mizuno Golf provided all the wonderful tee gifts this week, along with backpacks for our two Major Champions. Thank you to Scott Walter, PGA, and the Winston Collection for gifting the two Champions with a custom Major Champion headcover! Thank you to Prime for providing Prime Hydration Drink on the course, NCSA College Recruiting for providing college recruiting services for our junior golfers, UCCS PGA PGM Golf Management, and Citywide Banks, a division of HTLF Bank. 


We extend our heartfelt thanks to Grant Jackson, PGA, golf course superintendent Eric Strasheim, GCSAA, and the entire golf course staff for hosting us at Murphy Creek Golf Course. Your dedication and hard work made this championship possible. The Colorado PGA’s next Junior Major will be the Colorado Junior PGA Championship hosted at Highland Meadows Golf Course on July 8-10.

Our Partners

By Steven Bartowski January 27, 2026
DENVER, CO - The PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is proud to announce a new partnership with Influential Athlete , the nation’s leading Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) education and coaching company, to provide comprehensive NIL education to junior golfers and their families across Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and South Dakota. As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is committed to ensuring young athletes are equipped with the knowledge, guidance, and tools necessary to navigate this new era of sports safely, responsibly, and successfully. “At PGA REACH Colorado Foundation, our mission is to positively impact lives through the game of golf by expanding access and opportunity for youth,” said Erinn Lopez, Colorado PGA’s Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Director. “Partnering with Influential Athlete allows us to extend that mission into NIL education, giving our junior golfers and families the proactive guidance they need to understand NIL, protect eligibility, and prepare for future opportunities with confidence and integrity.” Influential Athlete partners with organizations nationwide to deliver turnkey NIL education designed for athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators. Its curriculum provides clarity and confidence, equipping youth athletes with the tools to understand what NIL is, what to do (and not do), and how to navigate opportunities successfully. “NIL is changing the path for young athletes, and PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is taking a leadership role in making sure families are educated, prepared, and empowered,” said Stephanie Grady, CEO of Influential Athlete. “We’re honored to support their mission and help junior golfers across Colorado build the skills that create opportunities on and off the course.” Through this partnership, Colorado junior golfers will gain access to NIL workshops, on-demand education, and golf-specific resources designed to meet the unique needs of the sport, while aligning with PGA REACH Colorado Foundation’s pillars of youth development, inclusion, and community impact. About Influential Athlete Influential Athlete provides turnkey NIL education for athletes, parents, and institutions nationwide. Co-founded by Stephanie and Joe Grady, the company equips athletes with a clear pathway to NIL success by teaching communication skills, personal branding tools, and NIL knowledge needed to succeed in sports, with NIL, and in life after competition. About PGA REACH Colorado Foundation PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Colorado PGA. Its mission is to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections, and the game of golf. Through its core pillars of Youth Development, Supporting Our Military, and Inclusion, PGA REACH Colorado Foundation works daily to expand access to the game and ensure cost is never a barrier to participation. Media Contacts: Stephanie Grady | CEO, Influential Athlete stephanie@influentialathlete.com influentialathlete.com Erinn Lopez | Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Colorado PGA elopez@pgahq.com reach.coloradopga.com
By Sam Crawford October 24, 2025
October 19 – Castle Rock, CO – Championship season reached its grand finale as the Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGA JR) hosted its fourth and final Major on October 18–19 at Plum Creek Golf Club. The exclusive field of 59 juniors—39 boys and 20 girls—earned their invitations through standout performances across the Cup Series season, setting up a weekend filled with elite competition and pride on the line.  True to Cup Tour tradition, the weekend kicked off with a Friday night dinner at The Golf Club at Bear Dance, bringing players, families, and staff together for a memorable start to the championship. When players arrived Saturday morning, they were greeted with Mizuno hoodies and beanies, plus custom StrackaLine yardage books—a perfect blend of style, preparation, and excitement for the rounds ahead.
By Sam Crawford July 30, 2025
Niwot, CO – Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGAJR) held its third Major Championship of the season Monday through Wednesday, July 21–23, at Lake Valley Golf Club in Niwot, Colorado. Thirty-two of the Colorado Section’s top boys and 27 top girls arrived at the course ready to compete head-to-head in hopes of being the last player standing in our match play bracket at the Mizuno Colorado PGA Junior Match Play Championship. Upon arrival, players were greeted with a selection of Mizuno hats, a co-branded Mizuno/Colorado PGA Junior Golf fairway wood headcover, and a StrackaLine yardage book. The atmosphere of a major championship set the stage for an exciting week—but it was the juniors who brought the drama as play began. 
By Sam Crawford July 11, 2025
July 11 – Windsor, CO – Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGAJR) hosted its second Mizuno Major Championship of the summer from July 7–9 at Pelican Lakes Resort & Golf in Windsor, Colorado. A field of 62 boys and 26 girls arrived full of excitement, each having qualified for a chance to advance to the 49th Boys and Girls Junior PGA Championships, to be held later this month at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in Indiana.  Throughout the week, players battled scorching temperatures, tight fairways, and greens guarded by strategically placed bunkers—conditions that demanded precision off the tee and smart course management, making for a true test of skill. After round one, CheyAnne Schrick rose to the challenge, finishing atop the girls’ leaderboard with an impressive 1-under-par 71. On the boys’ side, Dalton Sisneros, Brayden Destefano, and Wyatt Isgrig shared the lead, each carding a strong 2-under-par 70.
By Sam Crawford June 23, 2025
Aurora, CO – The Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGAJR) held its first Major Championship of the summer last week at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado. Both boys and girls showcased their talent and determination, battling for three consecutive days in a tournament that truly tested their playing ability. The field began with 87 juniors—59 boys and 28 girls—teeing it up on Monday. The weather played a notable role throughout the week. Monday featured blistering heat and perfect playing conditions to kick off the championship. Tuesday brought a different challenge, as significant rainfall softened the course just before players teed off. Despite two weather delays due to lightning, the players displayed impressive mental toughness.
By Sam Crawford October 23, 2024
October 20th - Colorado Springs, Co. - The Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGA JR) electrified the weekend of October 19-20 with its thrilling final Major Championship of the 2024 season at the stunning Kissing Camels Golf Club in Colorado Springs. The event drew the top 38 boys and 20 girls from the 2024 COPGA JR Cup Series Points List, all vying for the prestigious Mizuno Colorado PGA Junior Invitational Trophy, valuable COPGA POY Points, AJGA Points, JGS rankings, and, of course, bragging rights heading into the offseason. In Cup Tour style, as they stepped onto the property, players were greeted with exciting gifts, and a welcome dinner on Friday night, setting the stage for an unforgettable competition.
By Sam Crawford July 30, 2024
July 24th - Longmont, CO - Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGAJR) held its third Major of the season Monday through Wednesday, July 22-24, at The Fox Hill Club in Longmont, Colorado. When arriving at the course, players were presented with the choice of shoes courtesy of Mizuno, choosing their favorite style. Additionally, they received a StrackaLine yardage book, a sleeve of Mizuno golf balls, a Gatorade towel, and a Gatorade water bottle. After being hit by a big thunderstorm just days before our event, the maintenance team at The Fox Hill Club worked tirelessly to get the course in shape for our championship.
By Sam Crawford July 15, 2024
July 10th - Windsor, CO - Colorado PGA Junior Golf (COPGAJR) held its second Major Championship of the summer on Monday through Wednesday, July 8th - July 10th at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor, Colorado. As players arrived to the course they were greeted with a Mizuno t-shirt, a Mizuno bucket hat, a StrackaLine yardage book, and a putting cup that doubled as a keychain. The competitors were vying for a spot into the 48th Boys and Girls Junior PGA Championship to be held at Congressional Country Club later this month.
By Erinn Lopez February 6, 2024
Citywide Banks, A Division of HTLF Bank, Signs Three Year Commitment 
January 25, 2024
Seven states will participate in the initial pilot phase beginning in 2024