The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is excited to announce the Carolina Cup as the 2025 State Cup of the Year. The Carolina Cup becomes the first-ever recipient of the State Cup of the Year award.
Held for the 16th consecutive year as part of the Cobra PUMA Golf State Cup Series and for the first time at historic Cape Fear Country Club in Wilmington, North Carolina, the event delivered one of the most memorable and impactful experiences in the Cobra PUMA Golf State Cup Series. Founded in 1896 as North Carolina's oldest private country club, Cape Fear provided a premier competitive venue and a unique historic backdrop for players and families.
Twenty-four of North Carolina's top-ranked junior golfers competed in a Ryder Cup-style format, hosted by Smith Summerlin and Will Cherry. The 2025 Carolina Cup raised $110,000 to benefit the AJGA's Liberty National ACE Grant, the HV3 Foundation and the Jack Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation.
The Carolina Cup began in 2010 when North Carolina natives Patrick Cover and Thomas Walsh organized the inaugural Dormie Cup, bringing together 24 juniors to raise money for charity. In 2017, standout junior golfer Jackson Van Paris of Pinehurst, North Carolina — a four-time Rolex Junior All-American, three-time AJGA champion and 2020 Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award winner — took over as host and was instrumental in growing the event. Mack Edwards of Charlotte, North Carolina, has played a pivotal role in recent years and was involved with the Carolina Cup for four years, serving as host in 2023 and 2024. Edwards raised more than $303,000 for charity during that time. In 2024, he was named a recipient of the USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership, character and community service through the Leadership Links program and the Carolina Cup.
Players and families were welcomed to Wilmington with a dinner at The Rift, one of the city’s newest restaurants, giving participants the chance to connect before competition began. Throughout the weekend, participants enjoyed full access to the Golf Performance Center, which served as the central location for registration, player meals and practice. The setup created a premium experience and allowed for elevated interaction among players, families and staff. Competition opened on Saturday with a morning par-3 course experience before matches began.
Cape Fear Country Club’s hospitality was instrumental to the tournament’s success. Director of Golf Elliot Jones personally greeted players on the first tee for both rounds and joined families at the tournament banquet. The club’s food and beverage team delivered outstanding service, preparing four meals for players and parents throughout the weekend.
