UNF’s Danny Erickson Captures 64th JAGA Jacksonville Amateur Presented by Synovus

-Redshirt sophomore repels charge of soon-to-be teammate Luke Balaskiewicz-

FOR RELEASE: Saturday, July 26, 2025

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Leading by three at the start of the final round, University of North Florida redshirt sophomore Danny Erickson took charge with a front-nine 32 to increase his lead to six, and nine holes later was crowned a four-shot winner and the 64^th champion of the JAGA Jacksonville Amateur presented by Synovus at Timuquana Country Club.

The 20-year-old fired rounds of 70-68-67—205 (-11) to win by four shots over his future Osprey teammate Luke Balaskiewicz 70-72-67—209 (-7).

Claiming third place was rising Florida Southern College junior Colton Swartz of Fleming Island with scores of 69-72-69—210 (-6).

Though it appeared Erickson was cruising to victory, Balaskiewicz had other thoughts. Four back of the leader to start the finale, Balaskiewicz attempted to apply pressure early with birdies on three of his first five holes, but with Erickson going out in 32, he still trailed by six at the turn.

Balaskiewicz really caught fire on the back nine with birdies on Nos. 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15. At one point, Erickson’s lead had dwindled to two. But Balaskiewicz bogeys on 13 and 17 derailed his comeback effort.

On the day, Erickson made seven birdies and his charging opponent eight birdies. Erickson hit an impressive 16 greens.

In the end, Erickson’s hot putter was the difference. Lengthy one-putts came from 35 feet on No. 2 and 25 feet on No. 3. Long two-putt birdies on the par-5 12^th and 15^th holes were sandwiched around what may have been the clincher, a 20-footer on No. 13. It preceded the champion’s one hiccup of the day, a sloppy double-bogey on the drivable par-4 14^th.

Erickson had to dip into his memory bank to recollect his last win, which came at the NFJGT Titleist Invitational at St. Johns Golf Club when he was in eighth grade. He was a member of state championship teams at Ponte Vedra High School and an NCAA Tournament team at UNF.

Balaskiewicz was T3 at last year’s Jacksonville Amateur presented by Synovus. The Bolles School graduate will join Erickson on the UNF campus this fall. Balaskiewicz was off to Indiana on Sunday to play in the Junior PGA Junior Championship at Purdue University.

The champion is excited for his new teammate to get to UNF. “I can’t wait,” he said. “It was a lot of fun playing with Luke (in the second round). He’s really good. I have high hopes for this year.”

Saturday’s script might have been altered. Another former Ponte Vedra HS star Cameron Reed, who starts at Furman in a few weeks, was in second place after two rounds, only to determine after leaving the course that he had signed an incorrect scorecard and was thus disqualified.

The win marked the 11^th time a current or former UNF Osprey won JAGA’s premiere championship. The long list includes:

2002 – Steve Carter

2003 – Michael Young 

2007 – Michael O’Neal

2010 – Major Forbess

2011 – Sean Dale

2014 – Travis Trace

2015 – Andrew Alligood

2019 – Jordan Batchelor

2020 – Cody Carroll

2022 – Jason Duff

2025 – Danny Erickson

Presenting sponsor Synovus came on board in 2024 as the first such sponsor in the 63-year history of the JAGA Jacksonville Amateur for which JAGA is greatly appreciative.

Synovus provides commercial and consumer banking, including a full suite of specialized products and services to meet the banking and financial needs of families, individuals and businesses across the Southeast. Just last week it was announced that Synovus was merging with Pinnacle Financial Partners, forming the fifth largest bank in the Southeastern United States. 

Timuquana CC played to a par of 72, with the course length ranging from 6,740 to 6,890 yards depending on the daily tee marker locations.

The championship featured 96 of Northeast Florida’s elite amateur golfers with handicap indexes of 2.9 or less.

Top finishers in both the Amateur and the JAGA First Coast Amateur are awarded World Amateur Golf Ranking points.

This year’s championship was the first time it was contested at storied Timuquana CC. The 2026 championship will be played at Sawgrass CC.