In her first AJGA appearance of the 2021, Allyn Stephens of Houston, Texas, left the AJGA Shreveport Junior with a big goal checked off her list.
The 16-year-old held onto a second-round lead to secure her first AJGA career win at 7-under-par 209.
“I have been chasing after this since I was able to join the AJGA at age 12”
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf) June 10, 2021
-Allyn Stephens (-7) on #ShreveportJr 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0BD4fItKYI
The triumph sent her soaring from No. 149 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings to No. 90, and more importantly, moved her one step closer to her next goal of a college golf scholarship. The rising senior plans to spend her summer working towards that goal - hopefully at a Division I school where she can contribute to a National Championship.
I'm working daily to improve, and have hopes of getting into some USGA events so I can further showcase my talent," said Stephens. "I'm very appreciative of the opportunity the AJGA gives us to compete and would like to continue to climb the rankings.
In Shreveport, Stephens defeated the first-round leader, three players in the top 150 of the Rolex AJGA Rankings, and a four-time AJGA champion.
Stephens said she was happy with her performance in Shreveport thanks to results from the hard work she has been putting into all aspects of her game.
"I have really been working hard on my mental game," said Stephens. "I was pleased I was able to stay the course even though we had uncertainty with the weather, as well as the stops and starts."
Earlier this year, Stephens finished fourth at AJGA alum Cameron Champ's event, the Mack Champ Invitational , a new junior golf event aimed at providing a platform for the best junior golfers from diverse backgrounds.
Stephens has recorded six top-five AJGA finishes, four in the top three:
2020 season:
- Second: AJGA Stan Utley and Mid-America Youth Golf Foundation Junior Championship
- Third: Qualifier, Insperity Invitational / Patrick Reed AJGA Junior Championship
- Third: Qualifier, KJ Choi Foundation Texas Junior Championship presented by Mediheal
- T3: Randy Wise Junior Open
Now, Stephens can add "champion" to her AJGA resume