The 2025 Mississippi Junior Amateur brought two powerful storylines to the forefront at Hattiesburg Country Club. Jack Morris of Tupelo battled pressure and expectations to capture a breakthrough win. On the girls’ side, Eliza Yelverton of West Point returned to the site of a crushing playoff loss and delivered a dominant performance.
Their victories are part of a larger story unfolding across the state. Mississippi is producing a wave of junior golf talent at unprecedented levels. With freshmen and sophomores winning state titles and representing the state on national stages, it’s clear that the Magnolia State is in the midst of a golden era.
Let’s take a closer look: first at the standout girls, then the rising boys who are leading the charge.
Ladies First
Eliza Yelverton, Oak Hill Academy (Class of 2026)
A year after losing the Junior Amateur in a playoff, Yelverton returned to Hattiesburg with a clear goal: win, and win big. She opened with a 3-under 69, extended her lead with a 71, and closed with a steady 73 for a wire-to-wire, nine-shot victory. Her strategy, crafted alongside her father and swing coach Tim Yelverton, was to hit every fairway and let the birdies happen. It worked to perfection. Her 11 birdies tied her for fourth-most in the entire field, boys included. She’s now headed to the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur and has committed to play at Lipscomb University.
Karstyn Altese, Hancock High School (Class of 2027)
Altese dominated the 2024 MHSAA 6A Girls State Championship with rounds of 74 and 70, winning by ten shots. She leads a Hancock team that has built a dynasty, winning back-to-back 6A state team titles. Her father, Chris Altese, is Director of Golf at their home course, The Club at Diamondhead. Karstyn balances her elite play with a 4.6 GPA and dreams of playing in the SEC.
Indiana Sistrunk, Saltillo (Class of 2027)
Sistrunk delivered a top-five finish at the 2024 6A State Championship. Her consistent play as a sophomore signals she’s a strong contender going forward.
Kaylee Mays, Hancock (Class of 2027)
Another key member of the Hancock powerhouse, Mays finished sixth at state, giving the Lady Hawks three of the top six finishers in the classification.
Kelsie Dearman, West Harrison (Class of 2028)
Freshman Kelsie Dearman made an impressive debut with an eighth-place finish at the 6A State Championship. Her 11-shot improvement from round one to round two showcased her poise and potential.
Alyssa Johnson, Long Beach (Class of 2028)
Also a freshman, Johnson tied for 14th at the state tournament and is one of several promising young players gaining early varsity experience.
The Guys
Jack Morris, Tupelo High School (Class of 2026)
Morris entered the 2025 Junior Amateur looking for a defining victory, and he got it. After a solid opening 71, he fired a tournament-low 67 in round two to tie for the lead. Despite some back-nine turbulence in the final round, he held on for a three-shot win with a closing 72. His 6-under total earned him a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur. A staple of Tupelo’s strong program, Morris is now seen as one of the top players in the state.
Occoee Pina, Corinth (Class of 2026)
Pina won the 5A State Championship with back-to-back 75s. His consistent play helped secure the title and further established Corinth as a stronghold for developing talent.
Bryce Fairley, Stone (Class of 2026)
Fairley placed second at the 5A Championship with a 153 and earned selection to Mississippi’s All-Star Golf Tournament, highlighting his spot among the state’s elite.
Jax Poole, East Central (Class of 2026)
Poole finished third at the 5A State Championship, continuing to trend upward heading into his senior season.
John Parker, South Jones & Easton Thompson, Lafayette (Class of 2026)
Both golfers tied for fourth and fifth, respectively, at the 5A State Championship, capping off strong seasons.
Brady Lillis, East Central & Elijah Farris, Pontotoc (Class of 2027)
This sophomore duo tied for seventh place at the 5A State Championship. Farris also plays tennis for Pontotoc, showing athletic versatility that often translates well to golf.
Hunter Isbell, Florence (Class of 2027)
Isbell finished in the top 20 at state and continues to gain valuable experience.
Brody Robbins, Corinth (Class of 2028)
Robbins shocked the field at the 5A State Championship by tying for fifth—an extraordinary result for a freshman. With a strong Corinth program behind him, Robbins is one to watch.
Cadence Forrester, New Hope (Class of 2028)
Forrester tied for 29th in the boys’ 5A field and brings strong academic credentials to match his developing game.
Looking Ahead
Even younger names are already cracking into high school fields. New Hope’s Rhett Fleming (Class of 2029) and King Edge (Class of 2030) have both appeared on leaderboards, an astonishing sign of Mississippi’s deep and developing pipeline.
Comment Below: Who are some more players we should be keeping an eye on this season?
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