105th Junior Amateur Championship -- Preview
By Brady Garthee
USGA Boatwright Intern
PAWTUCKET – Max Jackson and Olivia Williams have the opportunity to make history during the 105th Junior Amateur Championship at Pawtucket Country Club.
Jackson, 18, enters the championship as the three-time defending champion.
After winning the 104th Junior Amateur Championship at Ledgemont Country Club, he joined Tom Cunningham, Brad Faxon, and Brad Valois as the only players to win three-consecutive Junior Amateur Championships.
Jackson can add his name into the history books as the first-ever player to win four consecutive Junior Amatuer Championships, joining Patrick Welch as the only players to win four times.
Pawtucket Country Club, Jackson’s home course, will host the 105th edition of this championship with the opportunity to four-peat that much sweeter for Jackson.
“It means everything … to even be in the conversation with people like Patrick and Davis (Chatfield), it’s pretty cool and there’s no better place to do it than on the course I grew up on my whole life,” Jackson said.
Jackson is both nervous and excited knowing that the Junior Amatuer is at Pawtucket CC.
“It gives me butterflies to be honest. This course I’ve played many good rounds, I’ve played many bad rounds, but I know about every inch and blade of grass on the course. It’s a nice little advantage going into the week,” he said.
Jackson isn’t the only one chasing history at Pawtucket CC.
Williams, 17, has the opportunity to become the first girl to win three consecutive Junior Amateur Championships.
At the 104th Junior Amateur Championship, she joined Caroline Farber, Lauren Dohoney, and Gianna Papa as the only girls to win two consecutive championships.
Winning three consecutive Junior Amateur Championships “is a big deal,” said Williams.
But she isn’t focused on it, stating, “If I think about it too much I’ll definitely get it in my head.”
This past high school season, Jackson and Williams highlighted the star-studded La Salle Academy Golf program. Led by Coach Steven White, the team placed first at the 2024 RIIL State Golf Championship at Cranston Country Club in May. Individually Jackson finished fourth and Williams was crowned champion of the girls’ division.
“Coach White at La Salle has done a great job developing us. Olivia and I have run this tournament the last few years now,” said Jackson.
In the fall, Williams will be entering her senior year at La Salle and Jackson will be attending Rutgers University where he will be a part of the men’s golf program.
Jackson and Williams take on a field filled with talented junior players, which will make the road to victory difficult.