Gilchrest claims victory in Boys Division at Genesis Shootout presented by the Valero Texas Open
Quinton earns first AJGA win at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club - Live Oak Course

FAIR OAKS RANCH, Texas — Matt Gilchrest of Southlake, Texas, fired a low-round score of 5-under-par 67 Thursday and overcame a four-shot deficit to win the Boys Division, with a tournament total of 4-under-par 212. In the Girls Division, Kayli Quinton of Houston won her first AJGA tournament by carding a 1-under-par 71, for a tournament total of 1-under-par 215.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Genesis Shootout presented by the Valero Texas Open was a 54-hole stroke play event with a 36-hole cut at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club — Live Oak Course. The tournament field consisted of 96 boys and 39 girls from 8 states and Mexico. The Boys Division played the par-72 course at 6,943 yards and the Girls Division played at 6,197 yards.

Gilchrest, who carded six birdies in his final round, said he was overwhelmed with excitement considering this was his first AJGA win.

“I wasn't sure how I was going to stand because I was four strokes back from the leader at the beginning of the final round,” Gilchrest said. “I feel exactly like I always dreamed I would feel like to win a tournament.”

Eric Ricard of Shreveport, La., finished second after carding a tournament total of 1-under-par 215. Kyle Francis and Kirby Gorzell both of San Antonio tied for third, with an overall total of even-par 216. Tying in fifth with a tournament total of 1-over-par 217 were Brendon Jelley of Tulsa, Okla., Brandon Pierce of Covington, La., Roman Robledo of Harlingen, Texas, Edwin Hyslop of Del Rio, Texas, and Frederick Wedel of The Woodlands, Texas.

Quinton, who started the round with an eagle on No. 1., made two birdies on the back nine to capture her first AJGA title.

“I am really excited to finally earn my first AJGA event, as I have been playing since 2007,” Quinton said. “This win is going to give me the momentum I need, because I will be competing in the U.S. Girls Junior Championship next week.”

Marijosse Navarro of San Antonio, Sierra Sims of Austin, Texas, and Summar Roachell of Conway, Ark., tied for second with a tournament total of 2-over-par 218.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

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AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.

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