Alameda Golfer Kailer Stone Takes Second at Junior PGAs

Kailer Stone, an 18-year-old Alameda golfer headed to Pepperdine University this fall, led the boys' field at the 50th Junior PGA Championship for two full rounds before a tough finish dropped him to second. It's the kind of run that puts a hometown name on a national leaderboard, and it's worth knowing about even if you've never picked up a club.

How the Alameda golfer built his lead at PGA Frisco

The tournament ran July 28 through August 1 at Fields Ranch East, part of PGA Frisco in Texas. Stone opened with a 4-under 68, then followed it with a 5-under 67 the next day. That put him at 9-under 135 through 36 holes, good enough for a one-stroke lead over the rest of the boys' field.

A rough finish at the Junior PGA Championship

Stone's third round didn't start well. He made a triple bogey on the first hole, then a bogey on the second. "Rough start, you know, starting with a triple and then a bogey, but I kept it steady," he said afterward. He clawed back with a string of birdies and ended that round tied for second at 6-under 210, two shots off the new leader, 16-year-old Jaden Soong of St. Francis High School.

The final round came down to the par-3 17th hole. Stone's tee shot found a bunker with a plugged lie, and he bogeyed it, along with the two holes before it. Soong made his birdie putt on 17 and parred the last hole to seal the win at 7-under par.

Why this matters for Alameda

Stone didn't come home with the trophy, but finishing near the top of a 50th-anniversary national championship as an incoming Division I golfer is a big deal for a city this size. He's part of a small club of Alameda names that made national news this summer. Alameda Brewing pulled off something similar with a national gold medal for its Burma Ale a few weeks back.

Here's the quick version of how his week went:

• 18 years old, Alameda resident, committed to Pepperdine University for fall 2026
• Led the boys' field after 36 holes at 9-under 135
• Sat tied for second at 6-under 210 through 54 holes, two shots back
• Bogeyed the final three holes in the last round as the leader birdied in for the win

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