Former Xavier golfer to compete in Junior PGA Championship this week

Jordan Even will tee off in Bryan, Texas, Monday at the National Junior PGA Championship.

The recent Cedar Rapids Xavier grad qualified for the series in early July at the 40th PGA Junior Iowa Championship in Ames.

'I didn't think I was going to win,” Even said. 'Someone told me I won and I didn't believe them. I was in shock. On the ride home, it hit me how big of a deal this was.”

Even made state appearances with the Saints in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, he was a team captain and the low scorer and was named first-team all-Metro and first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference.

'I'm looking forward to getting to go out and play with some of the best junior golfers in the country,” Even said. 'It shows I can get out there and compete with them.”

Xavier Coach Tim O'Brien is proud to have a former golfer playing on the national stage. He sees it as a great opportunity for Even to further his golf career and receive some exposure.

'Numerous former champions of this national competition have gone on to stellar pro golf careers and are major champions,” O'Brien said. 'It's an amazing accomplishment.”

Even will be playing golf at Kirkwood Community College this fall. While going professional isn't in his near future, he sees himself continuing with the sport by playing in tournaments and, some day, professional events.