LJGT 2025 July Player of the Month: James Prieto

July 7, 2025 

Lafayette, Louisiana – We're excited to introduce our LJGT 2025 July Player of the Month, James Prieto! At just 12 years old, James Prieto of Baton Rouge already shows the focus, maturity, and passion of a much older player. A student at St. Aloysius Elementary School, James has grown up in a golf-loving family and has been playing the game for as long as he can remember. He’s not just playing for fun either. He’s got big goals and the work ethic to match.

James is still a few years away from college, but he’s already thinking about the next step. While he hasn’t decided where he’ll go yet, his dream is to play at the Division I level. “I definitely want to play golf in college,” he says. “My goal is to commit to a D1 school.”

His favorite course so far is Corales Golf Club in the Dominican Republic. The views left a big impression. “The views were amazing,” James says. When asked what course he dreams of playing one day, he doesn’t hesitate. “Augusta National. And I hope to play it in the Masters one day.”

James has a consistent pre-round routine. He arrives early to hit the range for about an hour before heading to the putting green to get his speed dialed in. On tournament days, he keeps a few lucky items with him, including a tiger headcover and the ball he used to make his first eagle. One of his favorite memories is a round where both he and his friend Billy Buzzell made eagles.

In tough spots, James leans on his 60-degree wedge. It’s also the club he’d choose to represent himself. “It may not be the tallest club in the bag, but it can get the job done,” he says.

That short game has become one of the strongest parts of his game, especially as he works to gain distance. “The Louisiana Junior Golf Tour has helped my short game a lot,” he says. “I can’t hit most of the greens in regulation, so I rely on my short game.”

James is a competitor, but he also brings fun and personality to the course. His dream foursome would include Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, Min Woo Lee, and John Daly.

When he needs a snack during a round, peanut butter crackers are the go-to. And when he wants to challenge himself, he turns to his older brother, Drew, who often gives him tips and advice during their rounds together.

Outside of golf, James stays active with snow skiing, wakesurfing, and hunting. He’s also proud of his heritage and shares that he’s half Chilean, something many people don’t know about him.

To young golfers just starting out, James offers simple but smart advice. “Don’t let a bad shot affect your next shot. And practice your short game.”

James Prieto may still be in middle school, but he carries himself with a quiet confidence and love for the game that suggests big things ahead. He’s one of the many young players proving that the future of Louisiana golf is in good hands.

About the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour

The Louisiana Junior Golf Tour is dedicated to promoting junior golf and developing those junior golfers in the region. Through tournaments, clinics, and educational programs, the tour provides young golfers with opportunities to improve their skills, compete at a high level, and foster a lifelong love for the game. The Louisiana Junior Golf Tour is committed to giving back to young golfers, while also instilling values of sportsmanship, integrity, and camaraderie among its participants. 

For Media Inquiries:

Maili Bartz

Director of Marketing