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Babe Zaharias High School Junior Golf Awards
The Babe Zaharias Foundation and 5 Under Golf Center announced the finalists and honorees for the 2024 Babe Zaharias High School Junior Golf Awards. The prestigious annual awards banquet recognizes Southeast Texas’ top high school golfers, underclassmen, and coaches for the 2023-2024 school year. Sponsored by The Astros Golf Foundation, Trecora, and Wells Fargo Advisors, the banquet will be held Tuesday, May 28, at 5 Under Golf Center in Beaumont at 6 p.m.
The ceremony will include an esteemed lineup of luminaries in the collegiate golf world with keynote speakers Jessie Mudd, (Lamar University mens’ head golf coach), Theo Sliman (Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men’s head golf coach) and Janelle Howland O’Connor (Lamar University women’s head golf coach).
“This remarkable event celebrates high school golfers, their coaches, and the esteemed reputation of golf in our region," said Babe Zaharias Foundation Board Member, Austin Williams.
Girls Player of the Year
Tatum Bean - Port Neches-Groves
Trinity Smith - East Chambers
Hallie Westfall - Hardin-Jefferson
Annie Whitehead – Lumberton
Boys Player of the Year
Travis Atwood - Lumberton
Julian Mathews - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Lincoln Parks - Orangefield
Jaxon Wolf - Port Neches-Groves
Girls Character Award
Ashley Hale - Bridge City
Ava Henson - Deweyville
Lannie McMillon - Kirbyville
Hallie Westfall - Hardin-Jefferson
Boys Character Award
Drew Turley - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Robert Barron - Nederland
Evan Klutts - Port Neches-Groves
Girls Underclassmen Player of the Year
Erin Eaves - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Annie Whitehead - Lumberton
Girls Underclassmen Character Award
Grace Dai - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Jordan Rucker – Orangefield
Boys Underclassmen Player of the Year
Drake Andrepont - Hardin-Jefferson
Foster Cecka - Port Neches-Groves
Chase Ion - Hardin-Jefferson
Reece Williams - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Girls Underclassmen Character Award
Grace Dai - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Jordan Rucker – Orangefield
Boys Underclassmen Character Award
Drake Andrepont - Hardin-Jefferson
Foster Cecka - Port Neches-Groves
Chase Ion - Hardin Jefferson
Reece Williams - Monsignor Kelly Catholic
The Babe Zaharias High School Junior Golf Awards is part of the Babe Zaharias Foundation legacy whose mission is to develop young men and women both on and off the course, inspire them, and impress upon them the importance of hard work, integrity, and respect for their fellow competitors and the game of golf. Recipients of the award are historically high school junior golfers who have overcome adversity on and off the course, impacted the game in a positive way, displayed integrity and sportsmanship in all aspects of life, and who embody the spirit of the game with success.
"Hosting distinguished figures like Brian White, Giles Kibbe, and Chris Stroud (PGA Pro Golfer and PNG, Lamar alum) as keynote speakers in previous years adds a special touch—it's truly inspiring for the young athletes and everyone involved," added Williams. “This year we aimed to create an opportunity to engage with NCAA Division One coaches and for parents and players to gain insights into the recruitment process."
Seating for the banquet is limited and reservations are required to attend. For more details, call (409) 232-0205 or email events@fiveundergolf.com.