Press Release
Junior Masters - Green Jackets Awarded...
The 2011 Junior Golf Championships Major Championships presented by PGA TOUR Superstore is off and running. With the 1st Annual Junior Masters completed and the green jackets awarded the champions are off to their next event. We could not have asked for a better start to the season.
This was an outstanding start to JGC’s Major Championships and we look forward to our next Major, The Junior Open held in South Carolina June 18-19th at Wachesaw East GC. The Lone Star Junior Championship will be our next event on the schedule May 28-29th in Dallas at the Tribute GC. This event will be Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranked with AJGA Exemptions (Boys 14-18 & Girls 12-18 Divisions). This event will also serve as the North Texas Optimist International Qualifier. More details on our website (juniorgolfchampionships.com)
Junior Masters presented by PGA TOUR Superstore was awesome. Justin Mattheis was added to our Hole-n-One Club when he used a 9iron on the Par 3 3rd hole from 173yds. Video of the Hole in One can be seen on our website later this week.
We crowned 10 new Junior Masters Champions along with a sudden death playoff. Kate Cho from Georgia outlasted Teleri Hughes and Kallie Gonzales to capture her Green Jacket in the Girls 16-18 division.
Boys Championship Division also kept it close with the final pairing posting numerous birdies. It was Jacob Harper from Alabama posting a two day total 149 for his Green Jacket. This course was perfect for our Junior Masters…it was playing long with steep elevation and firm/fast greens. That was a perfect recipe!
It was apparent after viewing Wyatt Larkin’s final round scorecard he would be our Boys 14-15 Champion. He must have felt the same thing as Phil in Houston. Wyatt Larkin from Georgia put on a clinic with challenging greens rolling 13 on the stemp meter. Wyatt at one time had four birdies in a row and six total to capture his Green Jacket. And the overall Boys Championship (14-18) with a two day total 147.
The Girls 14-15 division Champion Kallie Gonzales from Texas was also trying to nail down the girls overall championship. Kallie was part of the four hole playoff to decide the overall Girls Championship. She had already captured the Girls 14-15 Green Jacket but had her sights set on the overall championship. If that last putt would have fallen we may still be playing!
Joiner brothers (Jacob and Tyler) from Georgia tried to have a sibling championship. It was younger brother Tyler Joiner capturing his Green Jacket in the Boys 12-13 Divisions with a two day total 152. His brother tried to close the gap on the 14-15 division leaders by closing with the lowest score of the weekend with a final round 2 under (70). Little brother now has something big brother will get a chase at next year.
Megan Sabol from Georgia made easy work of the course conditions to capture her Junior Masters Green Jacket in the Girls 12-13 Division. She had recent JGC Champions challenging her throughout the weekend but held on for the victory.
We had 10 different states represented in our 2011 Junior Masters. Brian Terlesky our Boys 10-11 Champion traveled from Ohio to capture his first Green Jacket. Brian closed with the lowest final round in his division (77) to take his hardware back to the Buckeye State!
I would say the Girls 10-11 Division was the best dressed group at the event and their champion even wore her matching cap during the final round. It was late fill in Keagan Dunn of Georgia capturing her first Junior Masters Green Jacket in the Girls 10-11 Division.
Not being outdone by the girls the boys 8-9 Division would finish a close second in the fashion ranking. It is great to see the spirit of the sport and fashion making it on the course. We had a very well dressed Connery Meyer of Georgia kicking off his Junior Masters in style by taking an early lead after round one with a 74 and closing with a respectable 78 for a two day total 152. Connery will dawn the Junior Masters Green Jacket at his next event.
Texas claimed their second victory with Macy Fox from Marble Falls capturing her first Green Jacket in the Girls 8-9 Division. It came down to the final round with players from Florida and Bermuda applying pressure. Is there pressure at 8-9…I know the parents feel more pressure than the players.
We would like to congratulate all players on their finish in our Junior Masters presented by PGA TOUR Superstore. We felt a strong bond with the families and participants at our Junior Masters and we look forward to see each of you very soon. Have a great Masters Week.
Directors Notes: (Stuff that happened outside the ropes)
We learned a whole new meaning to pollen. It was very apparent when we pulled into the Frog GC parking lot. What was that florescent green stuff on the front of our vehicle…tree pollen!
I also got to meet the largest person I have ever seen. The WWE and Atlanta Falcons had their Charity Tournament before our event. I got to meet The Big Show (height 7’ 2” and weighs 450) and his driver Big Van (6’ 8” and weighs 400). They were great but I will still not attend a wrestling event. Toby Keith…Big Van says Hello! He used to drive for Toby and we have our Belmar (OKC) event in August at Toby’s private course.
Matt Cocco from Pennsylvania thank you for participating in our Junior Masters and once again I apologize for almost taking you out! I was setting up the course and I had a plastic box lodge between the seat and the gas peddle. I had no idea when I stepped out to put a tee in the ground it took off heading towards Matt. Yes, it was hauling and he hadn’t stepped out yet so I was moving to catch it and when I got in it nailed his cart and squealed the tires until we dislodged the box. It scared the heck out of us and we became close after that happened. I still have some wheels and I am sore because of it.
I know this event is something we look forward to next year! Everyone sending notes and contacting us on Facebook (Southwest Junior Open) and Twitter (JGC2011)…thank you!
Regards,
Justin Hogue
