Once again, the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to worthy graduating seniors. We have previously featured spotlights on Jayda Sydney, Angelina Huang and Savannah Sampson, and now we turn our spotlight to RJ Arone, who is heading to Univ. of Michigan to play golf. — By Brian Hurlburt, www.lasvegasgolfinsider.com

Arone is one of two recipients of the Walter M. Galyk Scholarship that was created in Walter’s memory and lives on through the efforts of his wife, Camille.

Arone is a Bishop Gorman graduate, a Nevada State High champion, a Nevada State Junior Amateur champions and has earned many other top wins. And he is the 2024 SNJGA Player of the year, as well. He also won the 2023 Clark County Amateur, a Southern Nevada Golf Association major.

The day prior to our interview, he qualified for the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur, to be played at Oakland Hills in Michigan. Arone has always appreciated the SNJGA and now is honored to accept the scholarship and rep Southern Nevada junior golf at the next level.

“The first thing that comes to my mind about earning the scholarship and winning the SNJGA Player of the Year is gratitude,” Arone said. “I’ve based the majority of my Junior golf career with belief in the SNJGA and appreciate their believing in me. The SNJGA gave me a way to compete and get my name out and about, cheaper and without having to chase the AJGA and out of state tournaments. It’s an honor to win it back to back and the field gets tougher every year with lots of upcoming talent, so I am excited to see that my hard work payed off.”

Now, playing for Big Blue after a busy summer of high-end golf is coming into focus.

“I’m very excited to go to Michigan and can’t wait for the new breath of life within seeing different cities, different terrains and different faces,” Arone said. “I’m going to miss home a bit and it’s going to be tough at first, but this is the best thing for me to further my game. I’m ready.

“I believe that this summer and qualifying for all of these Junior major tournaments has been amazing. The Notah Begay and finishing high in that one for example. I go to Torrey Pines for IMG soon as well as Congressional for the Junior PGA Championship and now the U.S. Junior Am. All of these national tourneys are going to be a fun test of my skills and I can’t wait to show everyone who I am.”