For the second year in a row, Matthew DeRoy of Magnolia Springs claimed the top spot with a 71 at the Alabama–Mississippi District Optimist International Junior Golf Championship held at GlenLakes Golf Club.

District Gov. Michael Hanshaw presented DeRoy with the Governor’s Award.

The Optimist International Junior Golf Program is one of the largest and most prestigious youth golf competitions in the world. It attracts thousands of junior golfers every year to local, district and international tournaments, giving rising athletes a chance to showcase their skills, sportsmanship and dedication.

The Alabama–Mississippi District #29 event featured talented boys and girls competing across seven age divisions for spots in the Optimist Junior Golf World Championship. The world event is set for July at Trump National Doral Resort and Spa in Miami. The top two finishers in each division earned spots, with an additional invitation granted in the Girls 13–14 Division.

In the Boys 16–18 Division, Waylon White finished first with a 73 and Grey Goodman claimed second after a tiebreaker, shooting 77. In the Boys 14–15 Division, Walt Howley won with a 79 and Clayton Paul secured second after a tiebreaker, finishing at 82. DeRoy, who topped the Boys 12–13 Division, opted out of the Miami competition, allowing Joe Hamilton (77), Cohen Miller (90) and out-of-district player Bennett LaConte to advance. In the Boys 10–11 bracket, Reeves Dunnam was the lone competitor and finished with a 91.

Kierston Riggins claimed the Girls 15–18 Division with a 77, followed closely by Corrine Laferrera with 78. In the Girls 13–14 bracket, Kallie Ollhoft won with an 85 and Macy Mabrey finished second with an 86. Riley Weaver was the only competitor in the Girls 10–12 bracket, shooting an 80.

The Optimist Club of Perdido Bay served as title sponsor with a $1,000 contribution. Other participants and donors included the Optimist Club of Hernando, Perdido Bay Water, Crichton Optimist Club, Baldwin County Sewer and Optimist Clubs in Birmingham West End, Montgomery Central, Birmingham, Talladega and Pleasure Island.

Top winners in the oldest divisions — White of Fairhope and Riggins of Trussville — received $700 each to cover registration, green fees, hotel accommodation, nine meals and special activities at the Optimist World Championship. Other division winners earned $275 in support, while all other competitors received $230.