PROSPECT, KY (July 15, 2025) – The 2025 Louisville Junior Championship came to a close Tuesday afternoon at Nevel Meade Golf Course, as junior golfers from across Kentucky battled hot and humid conditions to deliver a thrilling finish across all divisions. Clutch performances, close margins, and playoff tension defined the final round, making for an exciting end to a memorable event.

Boys 16–18 Division

Jacob Rafferty of Louisville captured the Boys 16–18 Division title dramatically, firing a five-under 67 in the final round to pull even with first-round leader Clay Noble of Lexington at eight-under 136. With the championship decided by a scorecard playoff, Rafferty’s back-nine 33 edged Noble’s 35 to secure the win—sudden death in one hole with a birdie.

Rafferty’s final round was highlighted by birdies on holes 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, and 18, with back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12 marking his only setbacks. His surge down the stretch proved critical in catching Noble and ultimately claiming the title.

Noble, who opened with a bogey-free 66, started strong again with birdies on holes 1 and 2. He added more red numbers on 12, 14, and 18, but a bogey on 5 and a two-shot difference on the back nine cost him in the playoff.

Tucker Jones of Richmond claimed solo third at six-under 138 after consecutive rounds of 69. He carded birdies on holes 1, 5, 17, and 18, with a lone bogey on 12.

Boys 14–15 Division

Finn Johnson of Louisville claimed the Boys 14–15 Division title with a composed final round, shooting a one-under 71 to finish at even-par 144 for the championship. After bogeys on holes 7 and 8, Johnson bounced back with clutch birdies on 14, 16, and 18 to seal the win.

Andrew Perry of Winchester finished second at 145. He birdied hole 2 but faced a rough middle stretch with bogeys on holes 9, 10, and 11. Late birdies on 16 and 18 kept him in contention until the final hole.

Rowdy Harris of Bowling Green placed third after rounds of 72-72—144. He posted a bogey-free front nine in the final round, then added birdies on holes 14 and 18 to offset bogeys on 10 and 13.

Girls 14–18 Division

Mary Clayton Rodgers of Frankfort delivered a wire-to-wire victory, closing with a one-under 71 to finish at three-over 145. Her final round featured birdies on holes 1, 4, 5, and 15, with bogeys on 3, 8, and 11. Rodgers’ steady play and resilience proved decisive.

Mollie Neeley of Richmond finished second at 154 with rounds of 75 and 79. Despite a challenging final round with several bogeys, she showed perseverance and poise to hold her position on the leaderboard.

Caroline Childers of Bowling Green placed third at 155 after rounds of 77 and 78. Her final round included birdies on holes 2 and 7, helping her stay in podium position despite trouble on the closing stretch.

Girls 13 & Under Division

Parker Haddix of Nicholasville claimed the Girls 13 & Under Division title with back-to-back rounds of 78 to finish at 156 overall. Her final round featured birdies on holes 4, 11, and 13 as she held a firm lead from start to finish.

Bayley Dunn of Louisville finished second with rounds of 84 and 88. Her birdie on the par-5 18th was a highlight, capping off a determined effort across both days.

Lexi Littlefield of Louisville placed third at 177. She improved in the final round, which included a birdie on hole 2 and showcased her consistent progress throughout the tournament.

Boys 11–13 Division

Matthew White won in a 2-hole playoff against Max DeHaven

Eli Erxleben of Goshen took solo third at even-par 144 after shooting a one-under 71 in the final round. He recorded birdies on holes 2, 3, 8, 14, and 18 to close out a strong showing.

Boys 10 & Under Division

Hagan Newton of Berea delivered a commanding performance to win the Boys 10 & Under Division, posting rounds of 31 and 32 for a total of nine-under 63. His final round included birdies on holes 1, 3, 4, and 7, plus an eagle on the par-4 2nd.

Henry Britt of Louisville placed second at two-under 70 with birdies on holes 2, 4, and 7 in his final-round 34.

Maximus Schadler of Richmond and Jamison Welch of Georgetown tied for third at one-under 71. Schadler birdied holes 2, 3, and 7, while Welch carded birdies on 2 and 4 to shoot 36 in the final round.

Girls 10 & Under Division

Bella Wang of Louisville captured the Girls 10 & Under Division title with rounds of 45 and 42 to finish at 87. Her steady improvement and focus over both days helped her claim the top spot in the division.

The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour extends its sincere thanks to Nevel Meade Golf Course and its staff for their support and hospitality throughout the 2025 Louisville Junior Championship. Congratulations to all players on their competitive spirit and achievements!

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The KPGA Junior Tour extends its gratitude to Nevel Meade and its staff for their support of junior golf in the Commonwealth. Event coverage and scoring will be available following each round.

About the Junior Tour:

The Kentucky Golf Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable affiliate of Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations, was founded in 2002 through the vision of the Kentucky Golf Association and the Kentucky PGA. Our core purpose is to positively impact Kentucky youth through the sport of golf. The Kentucky Golf Foundation is solely funded by private individuals and corporate donations, memorials, special events, and contributions from Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.

The Kentucky Junior Golf website was established through the vision of the Kentucky Golf Foundation board, aiming to create a single, comprehensive online resource for all junior golf programs in the state.