26th Junior Tournament of Champions

Brown repeats; Mathews claims victory at Fox Hill

EXETER, Pa. — Hallie Brown dropped the Founders Cup off at the starter’s tent at Fox Hill Country Club, and picked it back up at scoring on her way out. Despite a broken right pinky finger, she lifted the trophy with ease, and familiarity.

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The Tunkhannock High School graduate and Monmouth University commit carded a 3-over-par 76 to defend her title at the 26^th Junior Tournament of Champions at Fox Hill (par 73, 5,363 yards) Wednesday. Brown, a member of Shadowbrook Resort, recorded five birdies en route to victory.  

“It was a crazy round, so many ups and downs,” said Brown, 18, of Tunkhannock, Pa. “It’s always good to get a win. I was especially happy to end my round with a birdie.”

Brown, 18, drove the ball 214 yards on the No. 18 (par 4, 329 yards) and used a pitching wedge for the remaining 115.

“I knew I was down one coming into the hole, so I was a little bit nervous, but I’m glad I made that final putt,” she said.  

Brown had only played one round of golf in the past two weeks after breaking her finger. “It’s tough coming back after a break, but I felt good,” said Brown.

Arden Brunn of Wyoming Valley Country Club took second place at 79. Sienna Smith of the Lawler Junior Tour rounded out the podium at third, carding an 11-over-par 84.

“It was a fun round,” said Brown. “Arden and I were going back and forth the whole time. It’s always a pleasure playing with them.”

Before beginning her collegiate career at the end of August, Brown plans to continue to work on her golf game and spend time with her friends.

“I’m actually heading to Philly right after this to see The Weeknd in concert,” said Brown. “It’s my sister’s birthday gift.”

With her name now etched onto the Founders Cup twice, it’s safe to say Brown’s mark on the Lawler Junior tour is Timeless.

Phillip Mathews, 17, of Country Club of Scranton, carded 1-under-par 70 to win the Boys’ Division (Par 71, 6,268 yards).

The Abington Heights High School senior finished with four birdies, one of which came on the No. 17 (par 4, 365 yards). Despite fatigue caused by the 90-degree heat, Matthews hit a 56-degree wedge 75 yards to four feet.

“I felt like I still had it at the end. I was just trying to squeeze out a few more birdies,” said Matthews, of Clarks Summit, Pa. “I wasn’t looking at the scores at all, I was just trying to play the best I could. I’m very happy with my number today.”

Matthews, who is preparing for the high school golf season, finished in a tie for second at the 2024 PIAA District II championships to help lift the Abington Heights Comets to victory. Fox Hill will host the PIAA District II championships in the fall.

“I’m going to take a week off before tryouts, then focus on high school golf,” said Matthews, who will bring the Art Wall, Jr. Trophy back to the Country Club of Scranton.

The Junior Tournament of Champions is the culmination of the Lawler Junior Tour season.

The Lawler Junior Tour, sponsored by Barna Law and Community Bank, began in 1983. It is open to boys and girls 10 to 18 years of age. Its namesake, Bill Lawler, administered each event throughout the tour’s formative years. A former Anthracite Golf Association president, Lawler died on July 19, 2021 at the age of 73.

“Junior golf meant a lot to him,” Patrick Lloyd, GAP Director of Northeast Operations, said. “He would mentor the kids, talk about the rules and etiquette. He was one of the most influential people in our area. He not only was a good player, but instrumental in growing the game.”

The Lawler Junior Tour carries the legacy of its namesake.

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Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 345 Member Clubs and 125,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.