Ethan Paschal and Vanessa Borovilos (Photo courtesy Golf Tourism Solutions)

Last year, Ethan Paschal and Vanessa Borovilos claimed victory in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, respectively. It was the first time in a few years that the current boys world #1 (JGS) did not win the trophy with past champions in Jackson Koivun (2023), Ben James (2022), and Nick Dunlap 2021. Both 2024 champions have since gone on to collegiate success—Paschal is now competing for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Borovilos has joined the Texas A&M golf team.  

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The 2025 field again features some of the top-ranked junior golfers who are poised to make their mark:

• Tyler Watts (Class of 2026, Huntsville, AL): Watts got to stick around one day after the DJ in 2024 to compete in “The Q at Myrtle Beach” and finished 3^rd in both tournaments. With an AJGA ranking of 2, Watts is among the strongest contenders in the boys’ division. The Q is also expected to make another return to Myrtle Beach following the DJ. Perhaps another participant gets a crack at a PGA TOUR start.
• Elizabeth Rudisill (Class of 2025, Charlotte, NC): Ranked 4th in the AJGA and 2^nd in the TYGA Junior Girls, Rudisill won the 2024 Rolex Girls Junior Championship.
• Charlie Woods (Class of 2027, Jupiter, FL): The legend's son, Woods appears to be a sponsor exemption to continue developing his game. Aside from his high school team tournaments, Charlie has notably played in the PNC Championship, finishing second place with his father, and the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, where he missed the cut. He will be one of the younger boys in the field and an exciting player to watch.
  
• Amelie Zalsman (Class of 2027, St. Petersburg, FL): Ranked 7th in the girls AJGA, Amelie notched two big wins in 2024 at the Rolex Tournament of Champions and AJGA Junior Championship.  She came in 7th place at last years DJ and will look to keep up her winning ways.
• Will Hartman (Class of 2025, Marvin, NC): Another Carolina resident and consistent performer. Hartman is ranked 10th in the AJGA and #1 in TYGA Junior Boys, which makes him a great contender for the boys’ title.
• Madison Messimer (Class of 2025, Myrtle Beach, SC): Local talent is always a part of this homegrown event. Messimer placed 12^th last year after a tremendous first 36 holes. She is now ranked 12th in the AJGA and #1 in the SCJGA Junior Girls.  Messimer will enjoy the home-field advantage as she competes on familiar turf.

TPC Myrtle Beach is known to be set up like a PGA TOUR venue. The course, designed by Tom Fazio, provides a challenging but fair test for the competitors, with its combination of strategic bunkering, water hazards, and immaculate greens.  The finishing stretch of holes 15-18 prove to be one of the toughest tests at any level.