Author: jtnc

Spring Series V: Darkhorse G.C.

Auburn, CA
April30-May1, 2016

Results | Pairings

Contestant Information Sheet | Yardages

 

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CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Spring Series V Championship at Darkhorse Golf Club

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (May 2, 2016) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015-2016 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Spring Series V Championship at Darkhorse Golf Club in Auburn.

San Jose resident Thomas Hutchison shot 4-under 140 and San Jose resident Sabrina Iqbal shot 2-under 142 to win their respective divisions at the Spring Series V Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Darkhorse Golf Club.

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Boys’ Championship winner Thomas Hutchison, runner-up Joshua McCarthy and third place finisher Ryan Grauman (left to right)

Hutchison picked up his second win of the 2015-2016 season thanks to a solid first round 72 and a stellar final round 68.

In Sunday’s finale, Hutchison posted six birdies to go against just two bogeys. He’d make his charge when it counted too, getting five of his birdies after making the turn for a back-nine 32.

On Saturday, Hutchison posted five birdies, but he’d also have three bogeys and a double-bogey.

Making a huge push towards the top was 2014 JTNC Player of the Year Joshua McCarthy. Coming off a first round 76, McCarthy was a birdie machine on Sunday.  The Danville resident had seven birdies and just one bogey for a 66 that moved him into second place alone at 142.

Finishing in a tie for third at 144 were Ryan Grauman of Alamo and Matt Heitel of Redwood City after final rounds of 71 and 72, respectively. Grauman was awarded third in a card-off. Brian Ma of Milpitas took fifth place at 146 after a final round 69.

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Girls’ Championship winner Sabrina Iqbal, runner-up Emilee Hoffman and third place finisher Yealimi Noh (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Iqbal found herself back on the top of the standings. The two-time defending JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year had back-to-back rounds of 71 to defeat runner-up Emilee Hoffman of Folsom by two shots.

The win was also Iqbal’s second of the season, and her first since the Fall Series IX Championship last October. Iqbal, who had six birdies to go against two bogeys and a double-bogey over her 36 holes, won the San Francisco City Women’s Championship in March.

Hoffman, who was playing in her final JTNC event, had a fate similar to McCarthy. A day after carding a 76, Hoffman put up a 68 to move into second place alone at 144. The 68 included six birdies and just one mistake—a double-bogey on the par-4 8th.

Third place went to Concord’s Yealimi Noh at 147 following a final round 71. Emma Sand of El Dorado Hills was fourth at 155 after a 79, while San Ramon’s Yoonhee Kim (79) was fifth at 156. Kim entered the event leading in the race for 2016 Girls’ Player of the Year honors.

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Boys’ First Flight winner Dylan McDermott, runner-up Matthew Amann and third place finisher Krishan Patel (left to right)

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Dylan McDermott of Granite Bay and Matthew Amann of El Dorado finished regulation tied at the top at 155. McDermott would take the title with a birdie on the second of a sudden-death playoff.

Third place went to San Jose’s Krishan Patel at 156, while Bailey Flickinger of San Miguel was fourth at 157. Carson Kalbfleisch of Geyserville was fifth at 161.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Girls’ First Flight winner Meghan Paracuelles, runner-up Steffi Lin and third place finisher Ashley Knepshield (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Folsom’s Meghan Paracuelles took the title by a shot at 160 after shooting a final round 79.

Paracuelles, who was helped by three birdies on Sunday, held off Carmichael’s Ashley Knepshield (77) and San Ramon’s Steffi Lin (78) , who both came in at 161. Lin was awarded second place in a card-off.

Fourth place went to Caleigh Clark of El Dorado Hills at 167, with fifth place going to Fremont’s Selena Tang (168).

The 2016 Spring Series continues with the Spring Series VI Championship, to be held May 14-15 at Paso Robles Golf Course in Paso Robles.

Spring Series IV: Adobe Creek G.C. & Rooster Run G.C.

Petaluma, CA
April 23-24, 2016

Results  | Pairings

Contestant Information Sheet  |  Yardages: Adobe & Rooster Run

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CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Spring Series II Championship at Windsor Golf Club

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (April 25, 2016) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015-2016 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Spring Series IV Championship at Rooster Run Golf Club and Adobe Creek Golf Club in Petaluma.

Palo Alto resident Ahmed Ali shot 2-under 142 and San Ramon resident Yoonhee Kim shot 5-over 149 and defeated Pleasanton resident Xinying Wang in a playoff to win their respective divisions at the Spring Series IV Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Rooster Run GC and Adobe Creek GC.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Boys’ Championship winner Ahmed Ali and runner-up Kyle Wilkinson (left to right)

Ali picked up his second win of the 2015-2016 season by being the only player to break par both rounds. In Saturday’s first round, Ali took the lead after posting a 71 at Adobe Creek that featured four birdies and three birdies.

A day later, Ali was simply steady. He’d card two birdies and a bogey on his front-nine, closing his round with nine straight pars for a second straight 71. A member at the Olympic Club, Ali dedicated the win to his grandmother, who recently passed away.

Taking second place at 146 was Kyle Wilkinson of San Francisco after a second round 74.

Both San Ramon’s Ashkaan Hakim and Trey Davis of Olivehurst finished T-3 at 148 after final rounds of 73 and 76, respectively. Brian Ma of Milpitas and John Heckel Jr. of San Jose placed T-5 at 150 following final rounds of 71 and 74, respectively.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Girls’ Championship winner Yoonhee Kim, runner-up Xinying Wang and third place finisher Kiran Sangha (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Kim picked up her fifth win of the 2015-2016 season after defeating Wang on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.

The two were knotted up all weekend long. On Saturday at Adobe Creek, Kim and Wang each posted opening scores of even-par 72. Kim had two birdies and two bogeys while Wang had three birdies and three bogeys.

On Sunday at Rooster Run, both carded 77. Kim had five bogeys, while Wang had a wild ride, posting three birdies to go against four bogeys and two double-bogeys. Hurting Wang the most was a crucial double-bogey on the par-4 17th.

San Mateo resident Kiran Sangha and Katherine Zhu of San Jose were also in the mix early after carding rounds of 74 and 73, respectively, in the first round. On Sunday, Sangha shot 76 while Zhu had 77, leaving the two tied for third at 150.

Belinda Hu of San Ramon finished fifth at 152 after a final round 75.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Boys’ First Flight winner Evan Cuenco, runner-up Alexander Lin and third place finisher Kevin Sze (left to right)

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Evan Cuenco took the title after shooting the round of his life Saturday at Rooster Run. Cuenco, a 5-handicap index, opened with a 7-under 65 that included eight birdies and just one bogey. In Sunday’s second round, Cuenco posted a 76 to come in at 3-under 141. He’d win the title by eight shots.

Second place went to Alexander Lin of Oakland at 149 following a final round 77. Kevin Sze of Saratoga was third at 154 after a 78 and Jackson Koivun of San Jose was fourth at 156 following a 78. Baron Szeto of Moraga took fifth at 157 after an 83.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Girls’ First Flight winner Priya Bakshi, runner-up Madison Beckett and third place finisher Nicole Vivier (left to right)

 

The Girls’ First Flight Championship also saw a runaway winner, as Priya Bakshi of Palo Alto cruised to a five stroke win after coming in at 148 (72-76). Baskhi also was able to get in some birdies, posting five in the opening round to go against five bogeys.

Second place went to Madison Beckett of Santa Rosa at 153. Three players—San Jose’s Nicole Vivier, Jordan Briggs of Livermore and Kiara Romero of San Jose—finished T-3 at 154.

The 2016 Spring Series continues with the Spring Series V Championship, to be held at April 30-May 1 at Darkhorse Golf Club in Auburn.

Spring Series III: Roddy Ranch G.C.

Antioch, CA
April 9-10, 2016

Pairings  |  Pairings

Contestant Information Sheet  | Yardages

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CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Spring Series II Championship at Windsor Golf Club

 

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (April 11, 2016) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015-2016 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Spring Series III Championship at Roddy Ranch Golf Course in Antioch.

Redwood City resident Matt Heitel shot 9-under 135 and Rocklin resident Nicole Schroeder shot 3-over 147 and defeated Cupertino resident Bibilani Liu in a playoff to win their respective divisions at the Spring Series III Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Roddy Ranch GC.

Junior Tour of Northern California-Spring Series III

Boys’ Championship winner Matt Heitel, runner-up Brian Ma and third place finisher Finigan Tilly (left to right)

Heitel picked up his first win of the 2015-2016 season after putting together back-to-back rounds of 67-68. He’d beat the field by five strokes.

On Saturday, Heitel went 3-under through his first nine, finishing with a total of six birdies to go against just one bogey. A day later, Heitel was still in the groove, as he’d post five birdies to go against a lone bogey. His 9-under total was just three shots shy of Justin Suh’s record for lowest tournament total (12-under).

Finishing in second with a solid score of 4-under 140 was Milpitas’ Brian Ma. Ma’s play included a first round 5-under 67.

Third place went to Finigan Tilly of Redwood City at 141, while fourth place went to Hayden Hui of Dublin at 143. Cupertino’s Ethan Chung was fifth at 144.

Junior Tour of Northern California-Spring Series III

Girls’ Championship winner Nicole Schroeder, runner-up Bibilani Liu and third place finisher Audrey Lin (left to right)

The Girls’ Championship would go to a playoff after Schroeder came in with a final round 72 to tie Liu after regulation. Schroeder had stumbled with a double-bogey on the 16th, but came back with a birdie on the 18th to force extra holes. Liu had a chance to win outright but bogeyed the 18th. Schroeder won on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Liu held the lead after the first round following a 72.

In third place was Fremont’s Audrey Lim at 152 following matching rounds of 76. Vanessa Richani of Granite Bay and Ashely Shim of San Mateo finished T-4 at 155 after final rounds of 77 and 78, respectively.

Junior Tour of Northern California-Spring Series III

Boys’ First Flight winner Jackson Koivun, runner-up Dante Clark and third place finisher Dean Cavanna (left to right)

Over in the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Jackson Koivun of San Jose shot a final round 77 to come in at 153 and defeat Dante Clark and Dean Cavanna by a stroke. Koivun sealed his win with a birdie on the 18th.

Clark, of San Jose, and Cavanna, of San Anselmo, finished at 154 following rounds of 77 and 78, respectively. Clark was awarded second place after a card-off.

Nathan Wang of Fremont took fourth at 155, while Evan Cuenco of Benicia was fifth at 156.

Junior Tour of Northern California-Spring Series III

Girls’ First Flight winner Nicole Vivier, runner-up Cynthia Zhang and third place finisher Katelyn Vo (left to right)

The Girls’ First Flight Championship title went to Nicole Vivier of San Jose at 161 (81-80). Vivier would defeat runner-up Cynthia Zhang of Milpitas by two shots.

Third place went to Katelyn Vo of San Jose at 165, while Julia Ni of Dublin was fourth at 166. Fifth place went to Patricia Sweeney of Folsom at 168.

The 2016 Spring Series continues with the Spring Series IV Championship, to be held April 23-24 at Adobe Creek GC and Rooster Run GC in Petaluma.

Spring Series II: Windsor G.C.

Windsor, CA
March 19-20, 2016

Results  |  Pairings

Contestant Information Sheet | Yardages

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CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Spring Series II Championship at Windsor Golf Club

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (March 21, 2016) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015-2016 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Spring Series II Championship at Windsor Golf Club in Windsor.

Alamo resident Ryan Grauman shot 2-over 146 and defeated Joshua McCarthy in a playoff and San Mateo resident Amanjoty Sangha shot 12-over 156 to win their respective divisions at the Spring Series II Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Windsor GC.

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series II

Boys’ Championship winner Ryan Grauman and runner-up Joshua McCarthy (left to right)

Grauman’s victory, his second of the season, was keyed by a stellar2-under 70 in the first round.  After a front-nine 38, he’d catch fire, posting a 32 on his back-nine with four birdies.

While Grauman took the early lead, one of his pursuers was McCarthy. The 2014 JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year and Danville resident shot 72 to leave himself just two back.

On Sunday, Grauman slipped back to a 76 while McCarthy made a move with a 74, leaving them tied after regulation. In what became a playoff, Grauman came out on top on the second hole.

Finishing in third place at 147 was Robert Briggs of Novato after rounds of 73-74. Thomas Hutchison of San Jose and San Ramon’s Brendan Hy finished T-4 at 149 after final rounds of 74 and 78, respectively.

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series II

Girls’ Championship winner Amanjoty Sangha and runner-up and sister Kiran Sangha (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Sangha outlasted her sister, Kiran, for her first win of the season.

A day after opening with matching scores of 80, Amanjoty posted a day-low 76 that featured two birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey. Kiran, meanwhile, shot 78. Kiran had a chance to catch Amanjoty but was stung by a critical double-bogey on the 16th hole.

Finishing in a tie for third at 160 were Angela Liu of San Jose and Belinda Hu of San Ramon following final rounds of 78 and 81, respectively. Liu was awarded third place in a card-off. Hu had taken the first round lead after opening with a 79.

Fifth place went to Danville’s Ty Akabane at 161 (80-81).

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series II

Boys’ First Flight winner Allen Zhang, runner-up Krishan Patel and third place finisher Lucas Happy (left to right)

The Boys’ First Flight Championship title was captured by Allen Zhang of San Jose, who put together rounds of 76-82 to come in at 158.

Zhang defeated runner-up Krishan Patel of San Jose, who finished at 161 after a final round 84, by three shots. Taking third place at 171 was Lucas Happy of Petaluma. Dylan McDermott of Granite Bay and Owen Randolph each grabbed a share of fourth place at 172 following matching final rounds of 88.

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series II

Girls’ First Flight winner Kaylen Choi, runner-up Madison Beckett and third place finisher Kiana Briggs (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Kaylen Choi of Dublin came in at 163 after a final round 80 to defeat runner-up Madison Beckett of Santa Rosa by two shots. Beckett shot 86-79.

Third place went to Kiana Briggs of Novato (171), while Adora JiaYi Wen of San Jose took fourth at 174. Pleasanton’s Kate Lim and Steffi Lin of San Ramon finished T-5 at 175.

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series II

Samira Pal had the shot of the tournament, acing the 5th hole on Saturday.

Samira Pal of Cupertino had the shot of the weekend, acing the par-3 5th hole on Saturday using an 8-iron.

The 2016 JTNC Spring Series will continue with the Spring Series III Championship, to be held April 9-10  at The Golf Club at Roddy Ranch in Antioch.

Spring Series I: Stockton G.C.C. & Reserve at Spanos Park

 Stockton, CA
March 12-13, 2016

Results  |  Pairings

Contestant Information Sheet  | Yardages: The Reserve at Spanos Park | Stockton GCC

 

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CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Spring Series I Championship at Stockton Golf and Country Club and The Reserve at Spanos Park

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (March 15, 2016) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015-2016 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Spring Series I Championship at Stockton Golf and Country Club and The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.

San Jose resident Matt Lloyd shot 4-over 147 and Fresno resident Tammy Lim shot 5-over 76 to win their respective divisions at the Spring Series I Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-71 Stockton G&CC and par-72 The Reserve at Spanos Park.

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series I

Boys’ Championship winner Matt Lloyd, runner-up Daniel Kim and third place finisher Justin Gums (left to right)

Lloyd’s victory, his first of the season, was keyed by a 5-under 67 in the first round at The Reserve at Spanos Park. Starting on the 2nd hole, he’d open with a birdie and tack on two more birdies with a bogey for a front-nine 34.

After making the turn, Lloyd went 3-under thanks in part to back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes.

In Sunday’s finale at Stockton G&CC, Lloyd and the rest of the field were hit by inclement weather. He’d shoot an 80, but held on to defeat runner-up Daniel Kim of San Jose by a stroke.

Kim, who opened with a 72 at The Reserve, followed that up with a 76 at Stockton G&CC. He’d have a chance to tie Lloyd and force a playoff but bogeyed the 18th.

Finishing in third place at 149 was Justin Gums of Lodi after rounds of 73-76. Noah Woolsey of Pleasanton placed fourth at 150 (75-75), with San Jose’s Thomas Hutchison taking fifth at 151 (76-75).

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series I

Girls’ Championship winner Tammy Lim and runner-up Emilee Hoffman (left to right)

The Girls’ Championship was limited to 18 holes due to the bad weather.

Taking the title was Fresno’s Tammy Lim, who carded a 5-over 76 in Saturday’s first round at Stockton G&CC. Lim’s round included a birdie, two bogeys and a pair of double-bogeys.

Second place went to Emilee Hoffman of Folsom, who had a 77 with four bogeys and a double-bogey.

Three players—Amanjoty Sangha of San Mateo, Bibilani Liu of Cupertino and Katherine Zhu of San Jose—finished T-3 after opening with matching rounds of 78.

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series I

Boys’ First Flight winner Evan Cuenco, runner-up Nathan Hutama and third place finisher William Kirkpatrick (left to right)

The Boys’ First Flight Championship title was captured by Evan Cuenco of Benicia, who put together rounds of 77-83 to come in at 160.

Cuenco defeated co-runner-ups Nathan Hutama of Fremont and William Kirkpatrick of Menlo Park by four shots. Hutama came in at 164 after rounds of 83-81 while Kirkpatrick shot 77-87. Ryan Garcia of Ceres was fourth at 165 (81-84) with Gregory Lee of San Jose placing fifth at 169 (84-85).

Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series I

Girls’ First Flight winner Adora JiaYi Wen and runner-up Varnika Achanta (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Adora JiaYi Wen of San Jose and Varnika Achanta of San jose each came in tied with scores of 83. Wen was declared the winner following a card-off.

Three players—Sacramento’s Monique Peterson, Caleigh Clark of El Dorado Hills and Irene Jun of San Jose—finished T-3 after shooting 85.

The 2016 JTNC Spring Series will continue with the Spring Series II Championship, to be held March 19-20 at Windsor Golf Club in Windsor.

 

JTNC Has Been Force at First Tee Open

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Don’t be surprised if a player from the Junior Tour of Northern California is in the mix come this weekend’s Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills.

The last few years, the JTNC has been a force at the First Tee Open.

At the 2011 tournament, then-JTNC member Casie Cathrea won the Pro-Junior portion of the First Tee Open playing with Ben Crenshaw. Two years later at the 2013 First Tee Open, then-JTNC member Michelle Xie of Palo Alto won the Pro-Junior with professional partner Kirk Triplett.
That is, until The First Tee of Tucson member Christopher Meyers pulled off one of the greatest shots on the historic 18th hole at Pebble Beach—a double-eagle from 203 yards out—to give him and pro partner Lee Janzen the victory.At last year’s First Tee Open, meanwhile, JTNC member Joshua McCarthy and pro partner Peter Senior looked to have the Pro-Junior title sewn up.

Prior to Meyers’ miracle, McCarthy was already in the clubhouse with a day-low 64 that had pushed him and Senior to a total of 20-under 195. The tandem of fellow JTNC member Katie Horsford and pro Steve Elkington were also in at 195, but McCarthy would’ve won the tiebreaker due to having the lower round.

As for Meyers and Janzen, if they had come in at 195, they’d also have lost the tiebreaker, giving McCarthy and the JTNC back-to-back Pro-Junior titles.

With Meyers’ shot, the matter was settled. He and Janzen won the title with a total of 193.

“I was just stunned,” Meyers said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

While the JTNC’s bid for two wins in a row came up short, the Tour still had a fantastic showing. Nine out of the 13 JTNC members who played in the Pro-Junior made the cut.

This weekend, another 13 JTNC members—in this case, call them the Lucky 13— will have a shot at winning at Pebble Beach.
Considering how things have gone recently, one of the 13 will be in the title hunt on Sunday:

  • Daniel Connolly (exemption, San Francisco)
  • Jack Avrit (The First Tee of Central Coast, Arroyo Grande)
  • Noor Ahmed (The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Folsom)
  • Austin Fox (The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Folsom)
  • David Laskin (The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Elk Grove)
  • Drake Mendenhall (The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Granite Bay)
  • Nicole Schroeder (The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Rocklin)
  • Clare Brady (The First Tee of Silicon Valley, Campbell)
  • Bibilani Liu (The First Tee of Silicon Valley, Cupertino)
  • Ronnie McDowell Jr. (The First Tee of Silicon Valley, San Jose)
  • Ryan Ramboyong (The First Tee of Silicon Valley, San Jose)
  • Tiffany Cha (The First Tee of the Tri-Valley, San Ramon)
  • Ardin Lo (The First Tee of the Tri-Valley, Pleasanton)

UC Davis Coach Taps JTNC For Talent

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Longtime UC Davis men’s golf coach Cy Williams first became aware of the Junior Tour of Northern California a few years back thanks to the players he was recruiting.

“They’d send me their schedule and it’d have Junior Tour of Northern California events on it,” said Williams, who’s in his 19th year at the UC Davis helm. “More and more guys had JTNC events.”

These days, when Williams find himself on the recruitment trail for future Aggies, one of his first stops is the JTNC website.

“I’ve now got it bookmarked,” Williams said. “Now, when I recruit, if a kid sends in a JTNC result I check the whole field. I think it’s picked up in notoriety and strength the last few years.”

It certainly has. The 2011 JTNC Player of the Year was 2015 U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau. Last season’s NCAA Player of the Year Maverick McNealy, meanwhile, also was once a regular on the JTNC circuit.
As for how much Williams has invested in the JTNC, one only needs to look at the 2015-2016 Aggies’ roster. Eleven of the 12 Aggies on the current roster have a JTNC background– Quinn Carlsen (El Dorado Hills), Louie Chen (Fremont), Ben Corfee (Davis), Ryan Han (Hollister), Matt Klein (Lafayette), Evan Knight (Novato), Ryan Knop (Pleasanton), Nicholas Noya (South San Francisco), Jeremy Sanchez (Sacramento), Patrick Soli (San Carlos) and Luke Vivolo (Carmel).The caliber of players on the JTNC has become so good that today it even brings Williams out of his office. If he has time on his schedule, he now attends tournaments.

Corfee won the 2014 NCGA Four-Ball Championship playing with friend Scott Raber. Ryan Knop shot an 9-under 63 at Poppy Hills to win the 2014 JTNC Championship.

The only member of the 12-man squad that isn’t a JTNC product is Jesse Bratz—and that’s only because Bratz hails from Texas.

As far as Williams is concerned, college coaches—especially those in Northern California–don’t have to look too far outside of the region for talent.

“There are just so many great young players in Northern California. As a coach, I don’t think you need to go national,” said Williams, a native of Oakland. “The JTNC and JGANC (Junior Golf Association of Northern California) have done a great job. They are the ones you look at.”

When searching for recruits, Williams said for him it boils down to two categories: Scores and Potential.
Should Williams not exactly be sure what kind of potential player he might have, he’ll then examine some of the other intangibles.“Scores show that players can do it, or what they’re capable of doing,” Williams said. “The next thing is trying to figure out how good they’ll be in three years. One thing I look at is, do they do one thing well? For example, are they a good putter? A good ball striker? The key being that if they can establish the rest of their game, they’ll be a good player.”

“If someone is on the fence in my mind, and they have for example bad body language or a bad temper, that will sway me the other way,” Williams said. “As a coach, you don’t want to have to spend energy trying to modify negative behaviors.”

As for the latest crop of future Aggies, Williams said he’s already got his eyes on a number of current JTNC members.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we get some commitments in the fall,” he said.

JTNC Alum Wins U.S. Amateur Title

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Clovis resident Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Amateur and joined an elite group.
DeChambeau, a senior at Southern Methodist University who honed his game on the Junior Tour of Northern California, captured the U.S. Amateur Championship Sunday with a 7 and 6 win over Derek Bard in the 36-hole final at Olympia Fields.
Among the feats that DeChambeau achieved with the victory:
He’s the first Northern California native to win the U.S. Amateur title or any USGA individual title since Ricky Barnes in 2002.
He joins Jack Nicklaus (1961), Tiger Woods (1996) Phil Mickelson (1990) and Ryan Moore (2004) as the only players to win both the U.S. Amateur and NCAA Championship in the same year.
It was the widest margin in a U.S. Amateur title match since Byeong-Hun An’s 7-and-5 victory over Ben Martin in 2009.
“”I can’t believe what I just did,” DeChambeau said. “I’m in golf history. I don’t understand it yet. It’s an honor to be in that field.”
Holding a 2-up lead after the morning portion, DeChambeau only turned up the heat in the afternoon round.
“I thought, ‘Keep pressing the pedal to the metal now, play Bryson golf,’” said DeChambeau, who made nine birdies over the 30 holes of the match.Holding a 2-up lead after the morning portion, DeChambeau only turned up the heat in the afternoon round.
Overall, DeChambeau went 20-under through his six matches. When Bard did take a lead in the morning portion, it marked the first time that DeChambeau had trailed since the Round of 16.
The win also gives the NCGA a sweep in this year’s U.S. Amateur championships. Hannah O’Sullivan, also a former JTNC member and member at The Olympic Club, won the U.S. Women’s Amateur last weekend.

JTNC Alum Wins U.S. Women’s Amateur

Hannah O'Sullivan with the Cox Trophy after winning the final round of match play at the 2015 U.S. Women's Amateur at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015. (Copyright USGA/Steven Gibbons)
Former Junior Tour of Northern California member Hannah O’Sullivan has her second huge win of 2015.
O’Sullivan, who grew up in the Bay Area but now resides in Arizona, won the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship on Sunday after defeating Sierra Brooks, 3 and 2, in Sunday’s final at Portland Golf Club.
Back in February, O’Sullivan, then 16, became the youngest ever winner on the Symetra Tour when she captured the Gateway Classic.
“I can’t really describe how good it feels,” said O’Sullivan, whose year also a co-runner-up finish at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship, where she played with partner Robynn Ree. “It was just such a tough match today, and to be able to come out on top, it’s just incredible. I just feel so blessed.”
2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur
Things didn’t look so good for O’Sullivan in the morning portion of the 36-hole finale. Through the first 14 holes, she trailed by three.
The tide began turning on the par-4 16th when O’Sullivan drained a 30-footer for birdie to cut Brooks’ lead to 2 up. Brooks then stumbled on the par-5 18th, finding a left fairway bunker off the tee that led to another O’Sullivan win to cut the deficit to one entering the break.
In the afternoon, O’Sullivan squared the match through 23 holes, took the lead on the 24th hole and later sank a 4-foot par putt on the 34th green to seal the victory.
With the victory, O’Sullivan, who will start playing for USC in the fall of 2016, earned exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle, a 10-year exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur and one-year exemptions into the Ricoh Women’s British Open Championship, ANA Inspiration and Evian Championship
“I felt like I wasn’t playing very well at all the first 18, but I fought back and I still shot 1 under,” O’Sullivan said. “I knew the game was definitely there, and I had the opportunities.”

Players of the Year

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Justin Suh closed out his junior career by making history, while Sabrina Iqbal made it two in a row.
Both San Jose residents, Suh and Iqbal claimed JTNC Boys’ and Girls’ Player of the Year honors for the 2014-2105 season.
Suh, the first male to earn Player of the Year honors twice, took the top spot thanks to a first place finish at the annual season-ending JTNC Tour Championship at Poppy Hills GC. An 18-year-old freshman at USC, Suh finished the season with 2,260 points.
Fellow San Jose resident Thomas Hutchison, who lost to Suh in the finals of this year’s San Francisco City Amateur, finished second with 1,755 points.
“I’ve been a part of the JTNC for so long that it means a lot to me,” said Suh, who won the Tour Championship by two strokes after shooting a final round 1-under 70. “It’s not a bad way to go out.”
Along with his wins at Poppy Hills and the San Francisco City, Suh also captured titles at the JTNC Summer Series II and Fall Series VIII Championships and the Santa Clara County Championship. The Player of the Year in 2013, Suh also added a tie for second at the CIF State High School Boys’ Championship at Poppy Hills after returning as defending champion.
“Northern California events have such tough fields in general, so it’s a huge confidence booster moving on to the collegiate level,” Suh said.
With her title, Iqbal, who also won the honor in 2014, joined Casie Cathrea as the only females to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors. Cathrea’s record three Player of the Year titles came in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
A 14-year-old sophomore at Pioneer High, Iqbal finished the season with 3,955 points, nearly doubling the total of runner-up Yealimi Noh of Concord (2,307). In 2014, Iqbal tallied 4,003 points en route to earning the title.
“I’m proud. The JTNC means a lot to me. It’s helped me grow as a player and it’s fun,” Iqbal said. “I’m hoping to break some records.”
During the season, Iqbal racked up four JTNC wins at the Fall Series I, Spring Series VII, Spring Series VIII and Summer Series I Championships. She’d have a chance to match her own JTNC record of four wins in a row but settled for a 12th place finish at the Summer Series II Championship.
Other Iqbal victories came at the CIF State High School Girls’ Championship and the NCGA Junior Championship at Spyglass Hill. She also finished second at two other JTNC championships and the NCGA/CIF NorCal Girls’ Championship.
“I didn’t play very well early in the season because I was really busy with school stuff,” said Iqbal, who now has 14 career JTNC wins, just four shy of Cathrea’s record of 18. “In the spring I was able to get back into a groove.”
Both Suh and Iqbal picked up the game from their fathers.
Suh’s dad, Duk, took Justin out to the range and the course when he was younger. Iqbal’s dad, Shaheen, is a PGA professional at The Villages Golf and Country Club.

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