For the second consecutive year, some of the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association’s best players defeated their counterparts from the Utah Junior Golf Association. Our Team SNJGA won the annual Border War matches, a Ryder Cup style competition, and are bringing home the Jay Don Blake Cup. –By Randy Dodson, Fairways Media.

“I am immensely proud of this exceptional group of golfers,” said SNJGA Coach Karl Larcom, the PGA Professional at Boulder Creek Golf Club. “After day 1, we held a solid 15-point lead, but with 18 matches in play, that lead could have vanished in an instant. However, this team elevated their game, securing our victory. It’s a tremendous honor to coach them, and I eagerly anticipate a three-peat when they visit Las Vegas next year.”

The SNJGA team won every format (Foursomes, Four-Ball, and Singles matches) over 54-holes at TalonsCove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, UT, on April 19-20, scoring 338 modified stableford total points, 29 points ahead of the UJGA. It was the 9th Annual Border War event.

The Cup’s namesake, Jay Don Blake, was a top junior, high school, college and professional and hailed from St. George, Utah. He was an NCAA champion and then won on both the PGA TOUR & PGA TOUR Champions.

FINAL RESULTS HERE

Jay Don and his wife, Marcie, are staunch supporters of Utah’s junior golf programs, notably investing significantly in the Utah Junior Golf Association, where Jay Don serves as co-chairman alongside Johnny Miller. The winning team of the Border War is presented with the coveted Jay Don Blake Cup, and retain the trophy until the following year’s event. The Blakes were present at TalonsCove this year to assist with awarding player medals and presenting the trophy.

While the SNJGA has secured victory for two consecutive years, the UJGA maintains a 6-3 advantage in the overall competition. Designed to foster camaraderie and competition among junior golfers from Utah and Nevada, who frequently encounter each other in national or regional tournaments, the event is approaching its 10-year anniversary. Next season’s competition will take place in Las Vegas, NV.

“A special thank you to General Manager Kareen Larson and the staff at TalonsCove,” said Jeff Thurman, UJGA executive director and co-captain, along with UJGA president Nate Herzog.. “You were great hosts. Also, our heartfelt appreciation to Marcie and Jay Don Blake for their support of the event. And congratulations to the SNJGA team. Plus, congratulations to the Utah’s boys who dominated with 21 points. Congrats also to Jace Benson of Team UTAH for his hole-in-one on #8 (150 yards – Pitching Wedge).”

Many of the players from both teams will cross paths again later this summer as the Boys and Girls Junior Americas Cup competition unfolds at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway, UT, from July 30th to August 1st.

2024 – Southern Nevada (SNJGA / Talons Cove)
2023 – Southern Nevada (SNJGA: Boulder Creek / Boulder City)
2022 – Utah (UJGA: Fox Hollow)
2021 – Utah (SNJGA: Southern Highlands / TPC Summerlin)
2020 – Utah (UJGA: Thanksgiving Point)
2019 – Southern Nevada (SNJGA)
2018 – Utah (UJGA: Sunbrook)
2017 – Utah (UJGA: Sand Hollow Resort)
2016 – Utah (UJGA: SunRiver / Southgate)

Randy Dodson is the publisher of Fairways magazine, the official publication of the Utah Golf Association and a former board member of the Utah Junior Golf Association.