Dan Young Captures Second District Title at Junior Classic

Two weeks after winning the 18U Junior Match Play Championship, Dan Young of Bellevue Country Club is back in the winner’s circle. He took home the 2026 SDGA Junior Classic at Timber Banks Golf Club to wrap up an eventful month of July.

Related: Results

In the first round, Young shot one-under, 71, with three birdies and two bogeys. He was in a four-way tie for the lead with David Ahn (Drumlins GC), Brayden Thomas (Drumlins GC), and Jacob Olearczyk (NYSGA eClub - Central NY). 

The following day, Young stumbled on the sixth hole for double-bogey but made six birdies on the round for another scorecard of 71. Ahn also shot 71 in the second round, with an eagle on 11, but Thomas birdied 17 and 18 for a round of 70 and for the lead heading into the final day. 

With the three paired together for the last round, Thomas came out firing with birdies on the first two holes. Ahn birdied holes 2 and 3 while Thomas bogeyed 3 meaning they were tied for the lead with Young one stroke behind. 

Thomas then found trouble going four-over in the following five holes. A bogey on hole 8 by Ahn meant that he shared the lead with Young making the turn. On hole 10, a birdie from Young and a bogey from Ahn meant a two-shot swing putting Young well ahead. 

Young kept a two-stroke lead until the 16th hole, which he bogeyed. At the 18th, a par 4, Young held a one-stroke lead with just Ahn to worry about. With both players birdieing the tournament’s final hole, Young clinched his second SDGA Championship of the summer by one stroke. He finished the tournament at five-under with a final round of 69, the lowest in the event.

Ahn came in second place at four-under. Thomas finished in third at one-under after a final round of 74. John Lazzaro (NYSGA eClub - Central NY) placed fourth after a final round of 71. He finished tied with Olearczyk at four-over.