The Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Award is given annually to the world’s young, excelling golfers, but it takes more than eagles and birdies to be recognized. For the fourth year in a row, the recipients of the Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards presented by Under Armour® are current AJGA members. Cole Hammer, Eugene Hong, Noah Goodwin and Wilson Furr received the awards at a banquet before the AT&T Byron Nelson PGA TOUR event. Since the Award’s inception in 2008, 41 of the 43 recipients were AJGA members.
The Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards presented by Under Armour® recognizes the achievements of junior golfers around the world. The Award honors young athletes who distinguish themselves with a high level of junior tournament play as well as excellence in academics and a commitment to community service and exceptional character.
Hammer of Houston, is currently No. 10 in the AJGA Rankings and has given a verbal commitment to the University of Texas. The 2018 grad serves as a Player Representative on the AJGA Board of Directors. He has played in 18 AJGA tournaments with one victory coming at the 2015 Junior All-Star at Watters Creek. In 2015 and 2016 he was named a Rolex Junior All-American and was a member of the victorious West Team at the 2016 Wyndham Cup team.
Hong of Orlando, is currently No. 5 in the AJGA Rankings and verbally committed to play college golf at the University of Florida. The two-time Rolex Junior All-American has four wins with the AJGA, including an Invitational victory at the 2016 Haas Family Invitational. Hong also played on the Junior Ryder Cup United States Team in 2016 and the Wyndham Cup in 2015 and 2016.
Goodwin of Corinth, Texas, is currently No. 1 in the AJGA Rankings and the reigning Rolex Junior Player of the Year. He is verbally committed to play college golf at Southern Methodist University and has five AJGA victories. His most esteemed victory came in 2017 at the CB&I / Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods, one of the strongest all-boys junior golf events in the world. The two-time Rolex Junior All-American was a perfect 4-0-0 as a member of the West Team at the 2016 Wyndham Cup. All but one Rolex Junior Player of the Year since 2008 have been honored with the award.
Furr of Jackson, Mississippi, is currently No. 11 in the AJGA Rankings and has signed a National Letter of Intent to the University of Alabama. The 2017 grad was named a Rolex Junior All-American in 2014-16. In 2016, he accrued top-10 finishes in three AJGA Invitationals. He also played in the 2016 Wyndham Cup with a perfect 4-0-0 record as a member of the East Team.