Harlow wins PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur; Peng triumphs in Junior Girls’ Amateur
Moscow, Idaho – Christian Harlow of Vancouver Wash., won the 71st PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur with an 8 and 7 victory in today’s final match over Tristan Kim of Mukilteo, Wash. In the 70th PNGA Junior Girls’ Amateur, Amanda Peng of Bellevue, Wash., defeated Niuniu Zhao of Woodinville, Wash., 3 and 2 in the final match.
Both championships were held concurrently this week at Vandal Golf Course in Moscow, Idaho. Both consisted of 36 holes of stroke play qualifying on August 10-11 to determine seeding for the match play portion of the championships. All matches were then contested over 18 holes in a single-elimination format, except for the two final matches, which were both played over 36 holes. 
Championship Links:
Junior Boys’:
Junior Girls’:
In the Junior Boys’ championship, the match between Harlow and Kim was a back-and-forth battle for the morning round. Kim took an early 1-up lead after six holes, but Harlow won four of the next five holes. The two then traded holes for the remainder of the morning round, with Harlow holding a 2-up lead after 18 holes.
After the lunch break, Harlow maintained his 2-up lead through 23 holes, but then won the next six holes in a row, closing out the match after the 29th hole.
Harlow was the No. 1 seed in the bracket after earning medalist honors in the two stroke-play qualifying rounds earlier this week, shooting rounds of 65-63 (-12). Earlier this year, Harlow finished second in the WIAA 1A State Championship, losing in a playoff. Kim plays on the Kamiak High School boys’ golf team.
The rich history of the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship includes past champions such as World Golf Hall of Fame member Fred Couples, Korn Ferry Tour players Alex Prugh and Andrew Yun, and John Bodenhamer, the former CEO and executive director of the PNGA, who is now the chief championships officer at the USGA. Harlow now adds his name to this illustrious list.
In the Junior Girls’ championship, the top two players of the week met in today’s final match, with Zhao the No. 1 seed and Peng the No. 2 seed. During their match, Peng built a 2-up lead on four different occasions, on the first nine, the second nine, the third nine, and the fourth nine. On each of the first three times, Zhao came back strong to take a 1-up lead. But on the fourth nine, Peng again built a 2-up lead after 32 holes, and Zhao could not respond. Peng won the 34th hole to close out the match.
So far this summer, Peng has won the WJGA Cup with scores of 70-69, finished third in the Washington Women’s Amateur, and qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior. She now adds the PNGA Junior Girls’ Amateur title to her resumé.
Earlier this summer, Zhao won the 2026 Washington State Junior Amateur, and last year won the WJGA State Championship.
The storied history of the PNGA Junior Girls’ Amateur includes past champions such as Jo Ann Washam, Peggy Conley, Joan Edwards-Powell, Mary Budke, and JoAnne Gunderson Carner, all of whom were later inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame after distinguished amateur and professional careers. Other past champions include former LPGA Tour players Paige Mackenzie and Jimin Kang. Peng now adds her name to this remarkable roster of champions.
This week marked the third time Vandal Golf Course – home of the University of Idaho – has hosted the Boys’ championship (2001, 2009) and the first time it has hosted the Girls’ event. The course, formerly known as the University of Idaho Golf Course, has been open since 1936 and has a long history of hosting several state and regional championships, such as the 2019 Idaho Junior Amateur. Designed by Francis L. James, Vandal GC is situated in the rolling hills of the Palouse region of western Idaho, providing its challengers with scenic views as they navigate the layout of roughly 6,700 yards.
To be eligible for the PNGA Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships, contestants must not have reached their 19th birthday by midnight on August 14, 2026, and must have a Handicap Index or Factor not exceeding 8.4 for boys or 12.4 for girls. They must also be members in good standing of a PNGA Member Association (Alaska Golf Association, BC Golf, IGA, MSGA, OGA, WA Golf) or have received a Presidential Invitation.
The PNGA Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur championships are two of 11 major, regional amateur championships for men, women, juniors and senior conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.
