Rolex AJGA Girls Junior Championship at SentryWorld (2025)

Last week, I had the privilege of spending three unforgettable days in Stevens Point photographing and covering the 2025 Rolex AJGA Girls Junior Championship at SentryWorld – one of the most beautiful and meticulously maintained golf properties in the entire Midwest.

As announced in my preview article (below), the event brought together a star-studded field of 72 of the top junior (age 12-19) girl golfers from around the world, including the world’s number two ranked player, Aphrodite Deng, of (Canada) Short Hills, New Jersey (Class of 2028).

Deng’s story is remarkable. I was told by multiple people from the AJGA that she only picked up golf during COVID – prior to that, she was on track to be a world-class figure skater. Now, just a few years later, she’s among the brightest rising stars in the game – and her performance at SentryWorld further solidified that status.

If you’re curious how good these girls are, I was told most of them are +3 to +6 handicaps – rarified air the rest of us can only dream of.

An Epic Finish

The championship came down to the wire on Thursday afternoon. In the penultimate group, Amelie Zalsman of Florida surged to victory with a clutch birdie on the par four 17th, taking a one-stroke lead that would hold up as the final group closed out their rounds.

Zalsman finished at 9-under-par, edging out Celina Yeo, Amber Lee, and Elin Wang by a single shot. Yeo, who led the field at 9-under entering the final round, and Lee both had opportunities to tie on the 18th but weren’t able to convert birdies on the firm, fast closing stretch.

Deng, meanwhile, shot a steady 1-over 73 on a championship-caliber setup that featured firm conditions (13.5 on the Stimpmeter!), tough Sunday-style pins and steady winds, ultimately finishing solo fifth at -7.

You can view the final tournament leaderboard on the AJGA website

A Front-Row Seat to the Future of the Game

From the moment I arrived on-site at SentryWorld, it was clear this would be a special week.

There’s a different energy at an event like the Rolex AJGA Girls Junior Championship – it’s a blend of excitement, focus and genuine appreciation for the opportunity to compete on an international stage. These young women carried themselves with a level of poise and professionalism that exceeded their years, consistently hitting fairways and pulling off amazing shots under pressure-packed conditions. They’re all incredible off the tee – mostly hitting between 245-275 yards with ball flights I would love to be able to achieve, accurate with their long-irons and fairway woods and have unbelievable short games.

It was especially fun watching them hit short wedges – the girls’ ability to put 30- to 50-yard approaches next to the pin and hold these greens was incredibly impressive!

The golf course, as always, was immaculate as Superintendent Matt Smith and his team (special shout-outs to Assistant Superintendents Jake Sabel and Tyler Erdmann, who I enjoyed meeting for the first time) had it playing firm and fast. SentryWorld offered a stern but fair test that rewarded precision and punished hesitation. Thursday’s final round conditions, especially, felt closer to what you’d expect on a Sunday at a major – quick greens running 13.5 on the Stimpmeter with heavy winds and pressure-packed moments that demanded players’ full commitment.

What impressed me most was the level of execution. Watching players flight wedges into tight quadrants, shape tee shots to fit narrow corridors and calmly roll in must-make putts reminded me of how elite this level of junior golf has become. For many, this week was a stepping stone to college golf – and for some, perhaps even the LPGA.

Speaking of college golf, the course was swarmed with coaches and scouts. I saw, met or spoke with representatives from the University of Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Miami, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and so many others.

But beyond the talent on display, what made this event truly memorable was the people behind it. The SentryWorld and Sentry Insurance teams are as committed to hospitality as they are to excellence. As SentryWorld General Manager Mike James put it, “When we commit to a tournament, we go all-in.” That commitment was on display throughout the week as James, Director of Golf Danny Rainbow and Tournament Director and LPGA Professional Katie Kreuser were ever-present, ensuring every aspect of the great championship went smoothly from the host’s side.

The AJGA staff, too, ran a smooth, professional operation. And the parents, coaches and supporters created an atmosphere that was equal parts competitive and celebratory.

A lot of my favorite conversations during the week were with those parents and coaches/supporters. It was great spending time with Marin Martinez, for example, who was in Stevens Point from Mexico to help one of his top young students, Araxy Kirokian. Her mother could not have been nicer, either, as was the case with all the players’ families.

Can you imagine the level of commitment and investment involved with having a daughter play at this type of level? One mother I talked a number of times had two daughters in the field as they traveled from Wichita, Kansas to watch Avery and Emerie Schartz compete at SentryWorld.

All that to say, it was a true joy to be there capturing the action and moments that made this event so special. Events like this remind me how lucky I am to do what I do – and also how bright the future of the women’s game truly is.

A Sunset Shoot to Remember

On Tuesday night, I was able to sneak in a golden hour drone shoot around the course – and, as always, SentryWorld was spectacular. The flower beds were glowing, the shadows were long and the light across the iconic Flower Hole 16th was soft and beautiful.

Moments like that are why I love what I do.

The Flower Hole Through the Years

SentryWorld has been one of my top clients for the past four-plus years, and the Flower Hole has become something of a personal annual project for me. One of my dreams is to be able to look back in 15 or 20 years and see how the layout, color schemes and design of this one-of-a-kind par three evolves over time.

To that end, here are side-by-side images of the Flower Hole from each of the past four seasons – a visual reminder of the artistry and attention to detail that goes into making this one of the most photographed and recognizable golf holes in the world.

Pro tip: The later in the season you visit, the more grown-in and full the Flower Hole will be.

For more on the Flower Hole and its creation, including the teamwork between former Chairman of Sentry Insurance, John Joanis, and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., please check out my article on it from 2022 but keep in mind it has grown in scope significantly since (from ~ 30,000 annual flowers to 50,000+):

Thank You, SentryWorld!

My sincere thanks to the entire team at SentryWorld and Sentry Insurance for the opportunity to be a small part of this incredible event. The pride they take in their property, the hospitality they extend to visitors and the way they continue to elevate the game of golf in Wisconsin and beyond is something special.

Congratulations again to Amelie Zalsman and all the competitors on an unforgettable championship week – and thank you to everyone who followed along!

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