The Quest for the Navy Jacket Returns for the 2nd Annual Great Hearts Invitational Facebook Twitter Email This Post Great Hearts Academies May 20, 2025 Some of the best high school golfers in the Great Hearts network gathered to put on an impressive show at the 2nd Annual Great Hearts Invitational – Tournament of Cup Champions, also affectionately known as “The Quest for the Navy Jacket.” “What an awesome event we had,” said Roland Bennett, Director of Golf Operations and organizer of the event, as he thanked everyone who attended and supported this “awesome tournament.” The event brought together top players from Great Hearts varsity golf teams for a unique and high-stakes competition. “This tournament was created to bring the best players of every Great Hearts varsity golf team to ascend to one course and battle it out for the honor of putting on the Navy Jacket,” Coach Bennett shared. “And this year was a true testament of having each Great Hearts school represented by the best of the best.” And the course didn’t go easy on them. “It got a bit windy out there, and the course played tougher than I have seen it play all season,” he said. But that did not slow down their spirit of competition and respect for each other. “It was really fun to see the players out there with their caddies – and everyone was so respectful and played great.” Cicero Prep’s Kieran Walsh rose to the challenge, claiming the Navy Jacket with a score of 72, five strokes ahead of the competition. “Congratulations to Kieran Walsh, who was the 2024 Jacket Runner Up, for returning to the GHI in Cup Champion position and solidifying his place in history as the 2nd Jacket winner, with a five-stroke victory – 24 hours before Scottie Scheffler wins his 3rd Major at the PGA, also with a five-stroke victory.” Adding to the tradition of the event, last year’s inaugural champion made a special return. “A big thank you to Ty Pennypacker, for returning from college to the course where he won the inaugural Jacket to place it on the 2025 champion!” Looking ahead, the pressure is now on Walsh to defend his title. “That burden will now be on Kieran Walsh in 2026, as he will become the first player with an opportunity to win back-to-back Jackets,” said Bennett. “And with a runner up finish by Veritas freshman Hudson Cook, and a strong freshman roster from Scottsdale Prep, it will prove to be no easy feat.” Final Results: 1st Place – Kieran Walsh (72) from Cicero Prep 2nd Place – Hudson Cook (77) from Veritas Prep 3rd Place – Cyrus Mathur (78) from Scottsdale Prep 4th Place – Devin Brown (80) from Trivium Prep Tied for 5th Place – Declan Stover (81) from Cicero Prep and Owen Glass (81) from Veritas Prep Tied for 7th Place – Rylan Amis (85) from Scottsdale Prep and Ethan Smith (85) from Glendale Prep 9th Place – Grant Adams (88) from Glendale Prep 10th Place – Pro Moreno (92) from Trivium Prep 11th Place – Malia Anderson (123) from Anthem Prep 12th Place – Nathan Anthony (124) from Anthem Prep As the Navy Jacket changes hands, the excitement for next year’s showdown is already building. “We will see you next year at the 2026 Great Hearts Invitational – Tournament of Cup Champions!” Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org. Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.
