Ethan Mottert of Lake Forest Country Club emerged victorious at the St. Louis District Golf Association (STLDGA) Hardin Junior Championship, held on Friday, July 10, at Lake Forest Country Club in Lake St. Louis, MO. This prestigious event was open to junior golfers under the age of 19 by July 9, 2026.
Mottert began the championship with a strong performance in the opening round, shooting -1 under par 71, which placed him four strokes ahead of Andrew Luvin from the Country Club of St. Albans. Four other competitors, Cam Winkler from Winghaven Country Club, Charlie Bomkamp from Forest Hills Country Club, Braden Wright from Sunset Country Club, and Nick Halterman from Whitmoor Country Club, trailed by five strokes.
In the second round, Mottert faced challenges, carding a 5 over par 77. However, his initial lead proved insurmountable as none of his competitors could close the gap. Braden Wright briefly held a one-stroke lead on the back nine but faltered with bogeys on the final three holes. Cam Winkler finished as the runner-up with a 2 over par 74 on the second day, while Blake Mueller from Forest Hills Country Club earned medalist honors on Day 2 with a 1 over par 73.
11-and-Under
Connor Robson from Greenbriar Hills Country Club triumphed over Harrison Hertel from Meadowbrook Country Club after both players recorded a two-day total of 83. The competition was decided in a sudden-death playoff, with Robson securing victory on the third playoff hole.
12-13 Year-Old Division
Henry Hertel from Meadowbrook Country Club and Josh Hooper from the Country Club of St. Albans finish tied with a two-day total of 155. Hertel emerged victorious in the sudden-death playoff, winning on the first playoff hole. Bodie Patton from The Legends Country Club claimed third place, just one stroke behind the leaders.
14-15 Year-Old Division
In the 14-15 Year-Olds division, Jack Parr from Forest Hills Country Club led after the first round with a 2 over par 74, maintaining a two-stroke advantage over Tim Travers from Algonquin Golf Club. Parr concluded the tournament with a 78, securing a four-shot victory over Jude Joseph from Lake Forest Country Club and a five-shot win over Travers. A notable highlight of this division was Parker Stehl from Whitmoor Country Club, who achieved an ace on the second hole, marking his second hole-in-one in as many weeks.
