Future bright for pair of young Tucson golfers
Two of Tucson’s premier young golfers, Gavin Cohen and Trevor Hecht, emerged in significant competitions last week. Cohen, a sophomore at Catalina Foothills who has already committed to play at Arizona, finished second in the challenging, 52-person JGAA Beljan Invitational in Mesa by shooting an impressive 6-under-par 66 in the final round. He was two shots in front of CDO senior Chris Meyers, who will play college golf at Stanford. Cohen then received an invitation to play in the 100th Southwest Amateur next month. Hecht, who attends Basis charter school in Oro Valley, became the youngest player ever to finish second in the Tucson City Amateur. Over four rounds at Dell Urich, Randolph, Silverbell and El Rio, Hecht, 16, shot 2-over 284, birdieing the 72nd hole to force a playoff with eventual winner Scott Smith. Hecht is unable to compete in the high school state championships because the AIA does not permit public charter school athletes to compete. It’s a silly rule that should be changed. Hecht’s next challenge will be at the Golfweek West Coast Invitational.
