Related: Boys’ Bracket | Girls’ Bracket | Photos | Video Recap (Boys) | Video Recap (Girls)

By Joey Forgione

DARLINGTON, S.C. (June 11, 2026) – Two champions were crowned Thursday at the South Carolina Junior Match Play Championships at Darlington Country Club in Darlington, S.C., as Brady Senn of Gilbert, S.C. claimed the 50th South Carolina Junior Boys’ Match Play title and AC Peake of Pauline, S.C. captured the 27th South Carolina Junior Girls’ Match Play title.

In the Boys’ Division, Senn capped off a championship run with a dominant 8 & 6 victory over Brennan Kelly of Greer, S.C. Senn delivered one of the standout stretches of the tournament in the championship match, shooting 29 on the front nine with five consecutive birdies to build a 7-up lead through nine holes.

Senn closed out the match on No. 12, halving the hole to secure the title. Senn said the mental challenge of the final day stood out most, especially after playing several matches that reached No. 18 throughout the week.

“The mental test was today,” Senn said. “[The final match] wasn’t necessarily the closest, but it was the biggest mental test. I played four matches that ended on 18. So it takes a while to get there. I’d say those four, and then just being able to shoot 29 on the front today while being so tired, is one of my biggest accomplishments.”

In match play, Senn said the head-to-head format gave him the freedom to stay aggressive.

“It just gives you the freedom to go after it,” Senn said. “Like if somebody throws a dart, why not try and stick it inside of it?”

Senn’s path to the championship included several tight matches. He defeated Jack Coleman of Aiken, S.C. in the semifinals after the match remained tied through 16 holes. Senn held a 1-up lead heading to No. 18 and closed out the match to advance to the final. In the quarterfinals, after a back-and-forth match, Senn holed out from 92 yards on No. 18 to win 1 up against Parker Adler of Gaffney, S.C. and advance to the semifinals.

“I have the ability to ball strike and hit the ball far,” Senn said. “I think the intimidation of that, making them go first, being able to put the pressure on them constantly gives me a lot of opportunities to make birdies that I capitalize on.”

Kelly advanced to the championship match with a 3 & 2 victory over Caleb Crowley of West Columbia, S.C. in the semifinals. Kelly took control late after a back-and-forth match, going 2 up through 15 before closing it out on No. 16.

In the Girls’ Division, Peake closed out a strong week of match play with a 1-up victory over defending champion Marissa Scaletta of Belton, S.C. in the championship match. After taking control early, Peake built her lead to 3 up before carrying a 2-up advantage through 13 holes.

Scaletta made one final push late, cutting the deficit to 1 up on No. 17 after Peake faltered. On No. 18, Peake held steady and halved the hole to secure the championship.

“I feel like match play does fit my game,” Peake said. “Ball striking was really good this week.”

Peake advanced to the championship match with a commanding 5 & 4 victory over Serra Erlenkeuser of Anderson, S.C. in the semifinals. She jumped ahead early, taking a 3-up lead through seven holes and extending it to 4 up through nine before closing out the match.

But Peake said her toughest test came in the final against Scaletta.

“By far, Marissa,” Peake said. “She took it all the way to the end, and she tried her absolute hardest. I was really impressed with how far she made it.”

Scaletta reached the final after a back-and-forth semifinal match against Lyles Herritage of Lexington, S.C. Herritage led early, going 2 up through four holes and 3 up through seven, but Scaletta battled back from 2 down to take a 1-up lead with two holes to play. She won No. 17 to advance to the championship match.

The South Carolina Junior Match Play Championships featured round-robin match play before bracket play, with the top 16 boys and top four girls advancing to the knockout stage. The championships crowned the top junior boy and girl players in South Carolina.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to the staff and membership of Darlington Country Club for their support and hospitality throughout the week.