Highlights of the Eighth Jacksonville Area Golf Association Family Championship
The eighth Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) Family Championship was a remarkable event held at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club, showcasing family teamwork and golfing talent. Jeff Golden and his 9-year-old daughter Greta took home victory in the Family Gross division, shooting an impressive 8-under 50 on a uniquely configured course featuring 14 par-3 holes and four par-4 holes, yielding a par of 58.
Exhibition Highlights
The championship day was enhanced by a special exhibition led by Dennis Walters, a World Golf Hall of Fame member. Walters has performed over 3,500 times from his golf cart, making for an engaging spectacle alongside his co-star, Gussie the dog.
Additionally, golfers participated in a fun contest for the most festive holiday golf attire. Joe and Hilary Watson shared top honors with Lakshmi Gopel and her children, Leela and Krishna Clark.
Division Winners
The tournament also featured various divisions with standout performances:
- Couples Gross AM: Tama and K.C. Caldabaugh of Ponte Vedra Beach, 4-under 54.
- Couples Net AM: Kristen and Adam Schupak of Ponte Vedra Beach, 5-under 53.
- Family Gross AM: Keith and Austin Bratton, 8-under 50, edging past past winners Stephen and Nancy Cox and Allison and Addy Vogt.
- Couples Gross PM: Jane and Brad Rollinson of Ponte Vedra, 2-under 56.
- Couples Net PM: Jeff and Kelly Johnstone, 7-under 51.
- Family Net PM: Andy and Andy Kokoska, 10-under 48.
Junior Golf Standouts from First Coast
The Florida Junior Tour (FJT) concluded the 2025 season with significant achievements from First Coast junior golfers, particularly in the girls 9-10 division where six local players ranked among the top 21:
- Jiratarn Pornchai (Middleburg) – 2nd
- Avery Chen (Ponte Vedra Beach) – 5th
- Teagan Chen (Ponte Vedra) – 8th
- Veda Sinoj (Jacksonville) – 15th
- Taylor Titus (Orange Park) – 17th
- Athena Breffitt (Ponte Vedra) – 21st
Additional rankings in various age groups included:
Boys 16-18
- Jonah Nacional (St. Augustine) – 11th
- Luke Splane (St. Augustine) – 19th
- Cooper Franklin (Ponte Vedra) – Tied for 23rd
Boys 13-15
- Ambrone Kinnare (St. Augustine) – 7th
- Charlie Hipp (St. Johns) – 17th
Girls 13-15
- Lily Wachter (St. Augustine) – 14th
- Chloe McGrath (Jacksonville) – 20th
- Lily Chiang (Jacksonville) – 22nd
Boys 11-12
- Jay Huntley (Jacksonville Beach) – 13th
- Benny Ossi (Ponte Vedra) – Tied for 16th
- Joseph Mitchell (Ponte Vedra) – 19th
Girls 11-12
- Honor Donaldson (St. Augustine) – 21st
- Elize Norabat (St. Johns) – 22nd
Boys 9-10
- Kiryn Chary (Ponte Vedra) – Tied for 15th
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for the fifth annual First Tee Women’s Classic, organized by the Ladies Executive Golf Society, on February 25 at The Yards. The tournament will feature a modified scramble format, followed by a reception complete with awards, engagement activities, and a curated marketplace fostering connections among golfers, volunteers, and supporters.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. For more details, visit the event’s official page.
Stay tuned for more updates on local golf events and achievements from the vibrant golfing community in the Jacksonville area.
