Round 1 Leaders Emerge after LJGT at U-Club Concludes

BATON ROUGE, La. 

The Louisiana Junior Golf Tour kicked off competition at the LJGT U-Club in Baton Rouge with an impressive opening round at the University Club. Junior golfers from across Louisiana battled through 18 holes, showcasing performances as they positioned themselves for the tournament's final round.

The Boys 10-11 Division saw a memorable performance from Maxyn Mmopi of Baton Rouge, who carded an opening-round 82 (+10) to take the division lead. Competing in his very first Louisiana Junior Golf Tour event, Mmopi immediately made his presence known by earning the first-round lead. His performance marks an impressive introduction to LJGT competition. Playing on a familiar course in his hometown, Mmopi remained composed throughout the round and will look to finish the week strong in what has already become a memorable tournament debut.

In the Boys 12-13 Division, Landon Lotz of Slidell delivered one of the day's most impressive rounds. Lotz fired a 67 (-5) to claim the lead after an outstanding display of ball striking and consistency. A highlight of his round came at the par-4 14th hole, where he eagled. His five-under performance separated him from others and demonstrated why he continues to be one of the top junior players in the division. Lotz will enter the final round looking to maintain his momentum and add another LJGT title.

The Overall Boys Division (14-18) features another member of the Lotz family atop the leaderboard, as Justin Lotz of Slidell opened with a 69 (-3). Lotz put together an exceptionally steady round, recording pars throughout the day while capitalizing on scoring opportunities with three birdies. He finished the day three-under par. With a narrow lead heading into the championship round, Lotz will aim to continue his consistent play in pursuit of the tournament title.

The Overall Girls Division is led by Grace Goodwin of Bossier City after an opening-round 75 (+3). Goodwin navigated the challenging University Club layout with confidence and consistency to earn the first-round advantage. With the championship still up for grabs, Goodwin will look to build on her strong opening performance and finish the tournament on top.

The University Club once again proved to be a challenging but rewarding test for Louisiana's top junior golfers. Players were required to balance aggressive play with patience, as the championship layout rewarded accuracy and smart course management while punishing mistakes. Throughout the opening round, competitors demonstrated the skill and determination that define Louisiana Junior Golf Tour competition.

With championships still to be decided in every division, the final round tomorrow morning will start at 9am off of hole 1.

Click here to see final round pairings and start times: LJGT at U-Club Event :: Pairings & Starting Times

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.