“The boys’ tees played at over 7,100 yards, while the girls played over 6,100 yards. The greens were also massive and slopey. To put it in perspective, the course played almost 1,000 yards longer than the Wheatland Golf Course and some of the greens were two to three times the size of what we play every day.””

Wheatland golf coach Tony Nichols

The Junior America’s Cup

The Junior America’s Cup is a long-standing tradition in the sport of golf. In 1975, Colorado became a part of the America’s Cup Matches with Montana joining in 1976 and Alberta in 1977. British Columbia also rejoined. The field remained the same until 1989 when Sun Country (New Mexico and part of western Texas) were asked to join. In 1995, Mexico asked to bring one team instead of two. Wyoming was admitted to the group in 2001 which brought the team total to 17 with each golf association rotating hosting this prestigious event. 

GILLETTE – The 2025 WSGA Junior Amateur at Bell Nob in Gillette was the qualifier for the Wyoming Junior Americas Cup (WJAC) team. The Top four in the boys and girls championship divisions earned a spot on the 2025 WJAC team Wyoming travels to the Junior America’s Cup held at various venues each year. This year, the America’s Cup for the boys will be at Columbia Edgewater Golf Course in Portland, Oregon on July 27 - 31.  

The Junior America’s Cup is a long-standing tradition in the sport of golf. In 1975, Colorado became a part of the America’s Cup Matches with Montana joining in 1976 and Alberta in 1977. British Columbia also rejoined. The field remained the same until 1989 when Sun Country (New Mexico and part of western Texas) were asked to join. In 1995, Mexico asked to bring one team instead of two. Wyoming was admitted to the group in 2001 which brought the team total to 17 with each golf association rotating hosting this prestigious event. 

The pairing format is quite unique in that each team member plays with a different player from two other associations the first two rounds. The final day pairings are made according to the 36-hole team totals. There are no playoffs in case of ties; duplicate medals (gold, silver and bronze) are presented to the tying team members. Team Wyoming athletes have to fundraise by selling raffle tickets for part of the travel expenses and the WSGA assists with the rest of the travel costs.

The guidelines for team selection have varied over the past few years; this year it was the top four at the Junior Amateur instead of a selection or points system. 

Wheatland golfers competed at the WSGA Jr. Amateur golf tournament in Gillette. Haylie Nelson finished in fifth place, just one spot from making the team on the girls side. Tate Nichols finished third, earning him a bag and a spot on Team Wyoming. Wheatland posted three of the top-ten golfers and five of the top 20 on the boys side; and on the girls side, placed two in the top-ten golfers.

Wheatland results in the tournament were: Tate Nichols (3rd place 77, 72, 70), Jacob Miller (T-7th 75, 78, 80), Dylan Nelson (9th - 79,77,78), Brecken Sandlian (19th-86,87, 87) Griffin Nichols (20th-82, 77, 93), Ace Keil (24th-94, 88, 88), Haylie Nelson (5th-97, 87, 92), and Tayen Wakkuri (8th-106, 104, 97).

“I was really proud of our Wheatland crew battling on a lengthy course that many of them had never played,” Wheatland golf coach Tony Nichols. “The boys’ tees played at over 7,100 yards, while the girls played over 6,100 yards. The greens were also massive and slopey. To put it in perspective, the course played almost 1,000 yards longer than the Wheatland Golf Course and some of the greens were two to three times the size of what we play every day.”

Coach Nichols continued, “Starting day three, Tate (Nichols) was outside the top four and really had to battle to make the team. After having a tough day on and around the greens the first round shooting a 77, he shot even on day two, and two under on day three. Matter of fact, he was still down two strokes heading into the final nine holes, but managed to shoot two under on his last nine holes to secure a spot on the team. Those are the pressure moments when you see what a player is really made of.

“Jacob Miller had a great week as well considering his workload coming into the tournament. He played four days of golf at Devil’s Tower (up to 36 holes a day), played seven basketball games at the Black Hills State Camp over three days leading the team to a winning record, and then tied for seventh [place and] earning a top ten finish with a stacked field of Wyoming’s best junior golfers. Having that kind of stamina and mental fortitude says a lot about Jacob.

“Dylan Nelson played steady in the 70’s all three days earning a top 10 finish. On the girls’ side, Haylie battled for a spot, but came up just short. She admits she struggled adjusting to the huge greens and had a few more three putts than she would have liked. Getting yourself in position in big moments is half the battle. Feeling the pressure and competing for something truly makes you a better player. Haylie will only continue to improve by playing in pressure situations.

“All in all, it is great to see our Wheatland High School golfers competing and preparing for the fall season. Big thanks to the parents for making it happen!” Coach Nichols concluded.