RICHMOND, KY- The 2024 Kentucky Boys Junior PGA Championship concluded on Thursday, May 20, 2024 at Gibson Bay Golf Course. Sam Guest walked away the champion after competing in a playoff against Brody Alexander. Both boys finished with a score of -1 after a rigorous two days of play, but ultimately Sam walked away victorious after birdying number one to conclude play. 

This was not Guest’s first time in the playoffs at the Kentucky Boys Junior PGA Championship. Last year he faced off against Jacob Settles in a playoff to determine the 2023 champion, so he knew the feeling all too well. When asked how it feels to be the 2024 winner, Guest said, “Well last year I got second and lost in a playoff, so getting first this year feels pretty good.”

Guest did not begin round two at the top of the leaderboard, but he never took his eyes off the prize. He came out swinging on Thursday, securing five birdies on day two after only bagging one the day before. When asked about the course conditions, he said the greens were slightly difficult and the wind was working against him during his final few holes, but despite the conditions, he remained positive all day. Brody Alexander was not far behind him all day, finishing with six birdies himself. “I’ve always liked this golf course for sure…and today [for me] the putter was hot”, said Alexander when asked about his round and experience throughout the championship. Their impressive scores qualified Guest and Alexander to advance to the Congressional Club in Bethsheba, Maryland later this summer to compete at the National PGA Junior Championship. 

These boys were not the only successful players at Gibson Bay. Charlie Spiller, Bradford Lacefiled, Grant Broughton, and William Hudson qualified to be alternates for the national championship after battling it out in five fierce playoff holes. 

In addition to this, Parker Geldhof walked away the Boys 13-15 champion, after shooting a total gross score of 144 and leading the tournament for both days. Geldhof finished an impressive second day with an eagle on 16 that solidified his fate as the champion.

FULL RESULTS HERE

Story written and photos captured by USGA Boatwright Intern Madalyn Dudley