Summer 2021 has been the season of big wins for AJGA junior, Nicholas Dunlap of Huntsville, Alabama. In just seven national junior golf events since June, Dunlap has racked up three total wins, one AJGA victory, a victory on the East Team at Wyndham Cup, and six top-five finishes. One of his triumphs is from the 42nd Polo Golf Junior Classic at Liberty National.
Dunlap's victory at the 2021 Polo Golf Junior Classic at Liberty National was his first AJGA win and Invitational win. He defeated Maxwell Ford of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, in a one-hole playoff to go 5-0 in matches and advanced to the championship match to face Ben James of Milford, Connecticut.
In the Championship Match, James took control, leading Dunlap through hole No. 17. Dunlap birdied No. 18 and forced a sudden death playoff. It took two more holes, 20 in total, to crown a champion in Dunlap. Both juniors parred No. 1, moving them on to No. 2 where Dunlap birdied for the win.
Most recently, Dunlap won at the 73rd U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of North Carolina. He defeated Cohen Trolio of West Point, Mississippi, 3 & 2 in the 36-hole championship match.
The University of Alabama commit is just the second player from his home state to make it to a U.S. Junior Amateur final and the first to leave it victorious. His performance earns him a spot in next year's U.S. Open at The Country Club, as well as an exemption into next year's U.S. Amateur at Ridgewood Country Club.
His success from the summer season puts him at No. 2 in the Rolex AJGA rankings. Follow along on the 2022 graduate's AJGA journey.