August 4, 2017

Ashkaan Hakim, Sabrina Iqbal 2016-2017 Players of Year

Boys’ Player of the Year

San Ramon’s Ashkaan Hakim left the JTNC the way he’d wanted to.

Headed to St. Mary’s College this fall, Hakim wrapped up 2016-2017 Boys’ Player of the Year honors when he finished T-3 at the season-ending Tour Championship.  The 18-year-old former Monte Vista High standout finished the season with 1,984 points, edging runner-up Ryan Grauman of Alamo (1,823).  Defending Boys’ Player of the Year Thomas Hutchison (1,721) was also in the running despite missing some playing time due to an injury.

“With this being my last eligible year, there was definitely extra motivation,” Hakim said. “Winning Player of the Year has been a goal of mine ever since playing in the First Flight events at the age of 11. I take great pride in presenting Northern California golf as best I can.”

In nine JTNC starts, Hakim posted two victories (Fall Series VII, Spring Series VI) and seven Top 5 finishes. He also won the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic and finished T-3 at the NCGA Junior Championship.

“I owe so much to the JTNC and the opportunities it has provided me,” Hakim said. “I’ve gained so much experience playing against some of the best competition in the country. We’re lucky to be able to play such well-run events at such nice courses.”

Girls’ Player of the Year

San Jose’s Sabrina Iqbal just keeps on breaking new ground.

A 16-year-old senior at Pioneer High, Iqbal secured a record fourth straight and fourth overall Girls’ Player of the Year title for the 2016-2017 season. The only other player to have won three Girls’ Player of the Year crowns is former junior standout Casie Cathrea.

Having already verbally committed to Texas Christian University, Iqbal finished the season with 4,158 points. The next closest player was Concord’s Yealimi Noh (3,392). Third place went to Mika Jin of Fremont at 1,864.