The 2026 Vermont Junior Amateur Championship concluded at Kwiniaska Golf Club after three days of competition, with Oliver Graves, Stella Rakochy, and Xander Desautels each claiming championship titles through impressive match play performances.
Oliver Graves authored one of the tournament’s most remarkable championship runs, turning the No. 15 seed into a championship title.
Graves opened the championship with a 78 (+8) during stroke play, earning the No. 15 seed and one of the final spots in the match play bracket. His championship journey began with the tournament’s biggest upset, as he battled No. 2 seed Ben Ames through 21 holes before rolling in a birdie on the third extra hole to advance to the quarterfinals.
With momentum on his side, Graves defeated No. 7 seed Jacob Hillman, 3&1, before earning a convincing 4&2 semifinal victory over No. 6 seed Colin Robertson to secure a place in the championship match.
Awaiting him in the final was No. 2 seed Cooper Guerriere. Graves wasted little time taking control, winning the 2nd and 3rd holes to build an early 2-up advantage. Guerriere responded by claiming the 6th and 7th holes to square the match, but Graves answered immediately by winning the 8th and 9th, carrying a two-hole lead to the back nine.
Steady play over the closing holes allowed Graves to maintain control before closing out the match with a 4&3 victory, completing an unforgettable run from the No. 15 seed to Vermont Junior Amateur Champion.
Stella Rakochy entered match play as the No. 1 seed after leading stroke play and earned a bye directly into the championship match.
The opportunity to challenge Rakochy came down to a semifinal between Lillian Collins and Rylee Makay, where Makay advanced with a 2&1 victory.
Makay struck first in the championship match, winning the opening hole before Rakochy responded by capturing the 5th and 6th holes to take the lead. Makay answered with a victory on the 7th, sending the match to the back nine all square.
Rakochy took control after the turn, winning the 10th, 11th, and 12th holes to create separation. She maintained her advantage over the closing stretch and secured the Girls 15-18 title with a 4&2 victory.
The Boys 10-14 Division featured the top two qualifiers meeting in the championship match.
No. 1 seed Nick Norris and No. 2 seed Xander Desautels each cruised through the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals to earn their spots in the final.
Desautels seized control early, winning three of the opening four holes to build a sizable advantage. Norris attempted to rally with a victory on the 7th hole, but Desautels responded immediately by taking the 8th to restore his cushion.
The back nine featured several momentum swings, but Desautels consistently answered every challenge. He maintained his lead throughout the closing holes and earned a 3&2 victory over Norris to capture the Boys 10-14 Vermont Junior Amateur Championship.