The 2022-2023 Players of the Year

Girls’ Player of the Year—Asterisk Talley

Chowchilla resident Asterisk Talley admittedly puts in a lot of time working on her game.

As for the results? There’s now even more proof all of the practice is paying off.

Talley joined Sabrina Iqbal (2014-17) and Casie Cathrea (2010-11) as the only Girls’ players in JTNC history to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors, capturing her second straight title with 4,124 points. Cathy Zhang, who also had a great season, finished second with 3,761 points.

Having started playing at age 3, Talley, who was featured in the Summer issue of NCGA Golf Magazine, is still just 14. The dynamo began her freshman year in high school in August.

“It feels awesome to be Player of the Year again,” said Talley, whose first name means ‘little star.’ “I’m just going out and trying to play my best golf.”

Over the course of the 2022-23 season, Talley rang up seven wins to go with seven runner-up finishes. Along the way, she climbed into a tie for second on the all-time JTNC Girls’ win list (19). Iqbal still holds the record with 29 victories.

At the Spring Series IV Championship at Rancho Solano, Talley fired a 7-under 65, the third lowest Girls’ 18-hole score all-time.

She’ll be eligible to play on the JTNC until she’s 18.

“The competition keeps getting harder, but at the same time I’ve been improving,” Talley said. “I’m excited for the future.”

Boys’ Player of the Year—Jaden Dumdumaya

Growing up, Jaden Dumdumaya admired current PGA Tour member Justin Suh.

Before hitting the big time, Suh was a two-time JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year who went on to be the No.1 world-ranked amateur at USC.

Today, the 17-year-old Dumdumaya is almost literally following in his hero’s footsteps—and it’s not an accident.

Slated to begin playing for USC in the fall of 2024, Dumdumaya joined Suh as the only Boys’ players to twice win Player of the Year titles by capturing his second crown with a total of 2,590 points. Second place went to Ben Friedman with 1,812 points.

Suh won POY titles in 2013 and 2015. Dumdumaya’s are also split, coming in 2021 and 2023.

“Growing up, I didn’t really know what my path was. Then, I realized that golf was the road I wanted to take,” Dumdumaya said. “Since then I’ve been trying to model what Justin has done.”

During the season, Dumdumaya earned five wins and five runner-ups. The five victories moved him to No.1 on the all-time Boys’ win list with 15, four ahead of Suh (11).

As a bonus, Dumdumaya, playing for De La Salle High, also picked up a win at the CIF NorCal Boys’ High School Championship.

In between it all, he’d spend some time in his family’s native Philippines, where he is a member of the national team. Among Dumdumaya’s future goals is to represent the Philippines at the 2024 or 2028 Olympic Games.

“’The JTNC has treated me so well. Words can’t describe the season I had,” he said. “Being able to play and meet so many people. I’m just happy to have JTNC as a part of my journey.”

Celebrating the 2021-2022 Season Players of the Year

Girls’ Player of the Year—Asterisk Talley

Chowchilla resident Asterisk Talley already had an impressive list of accomplishments.

Among them, a title at the U.S. Kids Championship and an appearance at Augusta National for the Drive, Chip and Putt Finals.

Now, Talley also boasts a JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year title.

And she’s still only 13 years old.

Talley, who began playing golf at age 3, won Girls’ Player of the Year honors by racking up 4,318 points over the season. Second place went to Cathy Zhang with 2,133 points.

How good was Talley’s year? She set a record for wins in a season with nine. The previous mark was eight, set by Sabrina Iqbal in 2013-14. Talley’s victories also moved her to No.4 on the all-time JTNC Girls’ win list.
“It’s all pretty cool,” said Talley, whose first name means “Little Star” according to her mom. “It means a lot being so young.”

Along with her victories, Talley was also runner-up five times. She also reached the Round of 16 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior, which featured players as old as 18.

“My game is a lot better from where it was a year ago,” Talley said. “It takes a lot of practice. But I also have a lot of fun.”

Boys’ Player of the Year—Clark Van Gaalen

When he was a junior, Tiger Woods had a list of goals taped next to a poster of Jack Nicklaus.

We don’t know where 16-year-old Turlock resident Clark Van Gaalen keeps his list of goals, but he has one. And one more thing is now scratched off.

Van Gaalen won 2021-2022 Boys’ Player of the Year honors, finishing the season with 2,748 points. Jaden Dumdumaya, who won POY honors in 2021, placed second with 1,863 points.

“It’s a good accomplishment. It was on my checklist,” said Van Gaalen, a junior at Turlock High. “JTNC Player of the Year is something I’ve wanted.”

Van Gaalen would collect five wins, including a cherry-on-top win at the Tour Championship in July in a playoff. He also had four runner-up finishes. His five victories tied Dumdumaya’s JTNC record for most wins in a season.

“I feel pretty successful. I scored the way I wanted to during the season,” said Van Gaalen, who first started playing at age 9. “For the level of competition we have out here, I think I played well.”

July 28, 2021

Girls’ Player of the Year—Adora Liu

At the end of the 2019-2020 JTNC season, Newark resident Adora Liu found herself just inside the top 50 of the Player of the Year standings. In a tie for 48^th.

So the 17-year-old senior at Irvington High decided to put in some extra work. Suffice to say, the longer practice sessions paid off.

Liu would go on to claim 2020-2021 Girls’ Player of the Year honors, finishing the season with 2,361 points. Asterisk Talley was runner-up with 1,786 points.

“It means a lot to me to be Player of the Year,” Liu said. “I put in a lot of work, and I won quite a few tournaments. I’m proud of that.”

Liu won four events—the NCGA Junior Championship, Fall Series II and III Championships and the Holiday Series III Championship. The four victories in a season is tied for the fourth most all-time. Sabrina Iqbal won eight times during the 2013-2014 season.

Along with the wins, Liu, who described her season as “up and down” had one runner-up (Spring Series I Championship) and three third place finishes.

“I had a pretty good start to the season, and then I kind of had a break,” Liu said. “But then I got it going again.”

Boys’ Player of the Year—Jaden Dumdumaya

Becoming a pro has long been an aspiration for Fairfield resident Jaden Dumdumaya.

While still just 15, his name is already connected to a U.S. Open champ.

Dumdumaya, a sophomore at De La Salle High, won Boys’ Player of the Year honors for the 2020-2021 season with 2,835 points thanks in part to a JTNC record five wins during the season—Holiday Series III, Spring Series IV and VI and Summer Series II and III Championships. Finishing as runner-up was Zachery Pollo with 1,900 points.

With the victories, Dumdumaya moved into a tie for third with Bryson DeChambeau and Joshua McCarthy for most JTNC wins all-time (six). The only players ahead of him on the all-time win list are Thomas Hutchison (nine) and Justin Suh (11).

“Winning Player of the Year means a lot to me because of all the hard work I’ve put in,” Dumdumaya said. “I wouldn’t be here either without my family. I’m thankful for them.”

Among Dumdumaya’s highlights was a fireworks show at the Summer Series II Championship at Poppy Ridge, where he set a JTNC record for lowest winning score (14-under par). His second-round score of 9-under 63 was the second lowest 18 hole score in JTNC history, behind only a 10-under 62 shot by Scott Munger at the 2012 Fall Series IV Championship.

“It’s definitely one of the best seasons I’ve had,” Dumdumaya said. “I feel that I’m on the right track. Tying Bryson DeChambeau…he’s an amazing golfer. I didn’t pay much attention to the records, but I’m definitely chasing them more now.”

JTNC 2021 COVID-19 Tournament Guidelines

April 1, 2021

Junior Tour of Northern California 2021 COVID-19 Tournament Guidelines

The Junior Tour of Northern California is looking forward to moving our tournaments in the direction further normalcy and we want everyone to have a great time at our tournaments and certainly will do our best to make them as safe as possible.   It is very important for all of us to follow these rules so that we will be able to continue to run events during these trying times.

Please Note – These guidelines are subject to change at any time.  We will always follow and comply with any county and state guidelines.  It is extremely important to read through the Player Information sheet and Local Rules for each event.

General Sanitation Guidelines for Participation in JTNC Events

• Absolutely no gathering or loitering at any location on the property before or after a round.
• Players must always maintain at least a six-foot distance minimum from other people (except for household members) while on property.
• Mask/facial coverings should be worn as required by government guidelines when a six-foot distance cannot be met.
• There will not be an awards ceremony. Players are required to leave as soon as possible after completing their round.  If you may be in a playoff please stay.  More on that below.
• Please do not arrive to the course more than 30 minutes prior to your tee time.
• Players need to arrive at their starting tee on time, however, please do not go to that tee until the group in front has cleared.

Scorecard procedures

Scoring: Players are expected to download the USGA TM app (or GolfGenius). If you have previously downloaded the app please make sure you have the most up to date version. The player GGID is available on the scorecard PDF available above and will be given to you on the first tee by the starter.

•  DURING THE ROUND – Within the group, players will be marking for one other player (just as you would with a paper scorecard). The electronic scorecard has a section for “Marker’s Notes”. This is the equivalent to the tear strip at the top of a scorecard where the marker may keep his or her own scores.

•  WHEN IS ROUND IS COMPLETED – At the end of the round, all players in the group must report any rules issues to the committee and confirm hole-by-hole scores are correct.  If there are any discrepancies between your “Marker’s Notes” and the scores your marker entered for you, they will be highlighted in yellow.
• CERTIFYING SCORES – Once all scores are correct you will be prompted to “Certify as Marker” and then you will move to “My Scores”, located at the top of your screen, and then be prompted to “Certify as Player”.  This is the equivalent of signing a paper scorecard and satisfies the requirements of Rule 3.3b. Scores will be considered to be official and returned once the player has left the defined scoring area, the scoring area will be defined within The Notice to Players.
• Staff contact information is available in the Notice to Players linked above if you have any questions after your round.

Flagstick and Hole

Players will be allowed to remove and touch the flagstick at their discretion.  Any county or course policy that does not allow the touching of flagsticks the following Code of Conduct provision will be in effect.

• Touching of the flagstick is prohibited. The following Code of Conduct provision is in effect for JTNC events:
  • The flagstick must not be removed or deliberately touched by hand during the round, including with a gloved hand or a towel wrapped around the flagstick. Any player who deliberately ignores this code of conduct policy will be considered guilty of Serious Misconduct (see Rule 1.2b), the penalty for which is disqualification.
• Working in concert with each individual facility, a device will be used to ensure players can retrieve the ball from the hole without touching the flagstick or hole. This may include:
  • A foam insert allowing the ball to fall only part way into the hole,
  • A hole with the liner turned upside down so the ball can fall only part way into the hole; or
  • An approved flagstick attachment that allows a player to lift the ball from the hole with their club.
• When a device that does not allow the ball to fall fully into the hole is used, the device is treated as being attached to the flagstick and thus is part of the flagstick. Per Rule 13.2c and the Definition of Holed, if any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green and is leaning/resting on that device the ball is treated as holed. A ball that hits the device and does not come to rest with any part of the ball within the hole is not holed.

 Bunker Rakes

When bunker rakes are present the ball will be played as it lies.   We encourage players to rake bunkers after playing from them.

When rakes are not present and have been removed throughout the course, the following provision applies.

•  Players are encouraged to smooth the surface of the bunker with their foot or club before exiting the bunker.
• JTNC will play Preferred Lies in Bunker: When a player’s ball lies in a bunker, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:
  • Reference Point: Spot of the original ball
  • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length from the reference point, but with these limits:
  • Limits on Location of Relief Area:
    • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
    • Must be in the same bunker.

Starter Interaction and Material Distribution

• Local Rules, Pace of Play, Hard Card, Hole Locations, and other paperwork will be provided on the tournament portal for the players the evening before the event. No paperwork will be available at the starting hole.
• Hand sanitizer will be made available at the starter table.
• Starter directions given while spread 6 feet apart.
• A starters box with tees and pencils may be available, please us the provided hand sanitizer before accessing it.

Social Distancing Policies for Practice/Warm-Up (When available)

• Practice range set up for safe distancing and request players arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to starting time and limit range time to allow others the opportunity. Any stretching or other warm-up activities should be done beforehand at their car.
• The practice putting green is only available to players 10 minutes prior to their starting time. No holes will be available.
• All facilities will be different individual guidelines per facility will be given in the player information sheet. Some facilities will not have practice of any kind available.

Food and Beverage

• Food issued in accordance with county guidelines which includes consideration for touch points and social distancing guidelines.
• In some cases, food and beverage options may not be available.
• We will continue to try to provide JTNC water. These will be available at the first and tenth tee, please use the hand sanitizer prior to accessing the ice chest.  Note: it is extremely important that players and spectators realize they will have water needs that JTNC cannot meet, they need to be responsible for this.
• We will do our best to make everyone aware of what food and beverage availability will be at each site.

Spectators

• Spectators must maintain at least six-foot distance minimum from people while on property. See individual tournament policies for additional guidelines. We request players to limit spectators to one person, preferably a household member.

Players or spectators that deliberately or repeatedly disregard these rules will be disqualified and or asked to leave property. 

February 5, 2021

September 20, 2020

Former JTNC Player of the Year Bryson DeChambeau a U.S. Open Champion

 
Clovis native Bryson DeChambeau is now a U.S. Open champion.

DeChambeau, who honed his skills as a junior on the Junior Tour of Northern California, shot a final-round 3-under 67 Sunday at Winged Foot to win the title by six shots.

He joins Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win an NCAA individual title, a U.S. Amateur title and a U.S. Open.

“It’s just an honor. I don’t know what else to say,’ DeChambeau said. ” It’s been a lot of hard work. Mr. Nicklaus has been always awesome to me. He gave me a sponsor’s invite. Tiger has always been great to me. I can’t say thank you enough to them for them helping me push me along to be a better person and a better golfer, as well. But to be in the likes of the names of that company is special. I’ll forever appreciate that.”

For DeChambeau, winning the U.S. Open fulfilled a lifelong dream.

“I would say any Major was the ones I — they were all ones that I wanted to win, but I knew that my game would fit best for a U.S. Open. The reason for that is I always felt growing up, in college, I was always a super straight driver of the golf ball, super great iron player. Putting was always iffy, but I knew I could get around it on fast, quick greens. I was always really good on quick greens,” he said. “I’ve become a great putter, and my ball striking has improved consistently, and now I’ve got an advantage with this length, and that’s all she wrote. But, yes, growing up, the U.S. Open is the one I thought I could win the most.”

Brains 🧠 Brawn 💪 Bryson 🏆

Congrats, @b_dechambeau! We’re proud to have you as the champion of the 120th #USOpen.

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) September 20, 2020

A truly dominant Sunday at Winged Foot.

Congratulations to our 2020 #USOpen champion, @b_dechambeau! pic.twitter.com/4VAFJmseST

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) September 20, 2020

August 17, 2020

JTNC Alum Ollie Osborne U.S. Amateur Runner-Up

JTNC alum Ollie Osborne came within one hole of winning the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Osborne, who  lives in Reno, fell, 1-up, Sunday to winner Tyler Stafaci after Strafaci hit a beautiful 4-iron shot onto the 36th green, hsetting imself up for a tap-in birdie.  He was trying to follow in the footsteps of former JTNC Player of the Year Bryson DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Amateur title in 2015 while playing at Southern Methodist University. SMU is where Osborne currently competes collegiately.

Osborne came out of the gates in the morning 18 on fire, registering three consecutive birdies – two of which won holes 1 and 2 – and upping his margin to 5 up with birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 12, the latter a tee shot to 3½ feet that was conceded.

Then Strafaci got on a roll, winning No. 13 with a birdie (his eagle putt from 48 feet just nicked off the flagstick), 14 with a 3-foot birdie putt and 15 with a 9-foot par putt. An 8-foot birdie on 17 trimmed the deficit to one hole, and when both players birdied 18, the morning round ended with Osborne holding a precarious 1-up lead.

“You’re kind of excited when you’re 5 up but you know you’ve got a lot more golf to play, and then obviously he came back,” said Osborne, who was bidding to become the fifth SMU golfer since Hank Kuehne in 1998 to win the U.S. Amateur. “Like you kind of just go up and down throughout the day, you’re excited, you’re a little down. I tried to stay mellow the whole day, and it was a good match.”

Despite the loss, Osborne collected some nice perks for his runner-up finish. He’ll be exempt into the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines (as long as he remains an amateur), is exempt into the next three U.S. Amateurs and will more than likely receive an invitation to the 2021 Masters at Augusta National.

July 29, 2020

Kiara Romero, Baron Szeto 2019-2020 Players of the Year

San Jose resident Kiara Romero already has aspirations of someday playing on the LPGA Tour.

Still only 14, she’s still a bit away from that. But her amateur career is off to a promising start.

Romero joined Sabrina Iqbal as one of the youngest winners of the prestigious JTNC Girls’ Player of Year award for the 2019-2020 season.

She’d finish the season with 1,955 points thanks in part to victories at the Fall Series IV and VI Championships and the Summer Series II Championship. Romero also had runner-up finishes at the Holiday Series III Championship and Tour Championship and a third place finish at the Fall Series III Championship.

Selena Tang finished in second place with 1,548 points.

“It means a lot to me to win Player of the Year,” said Romero, a freshman at California Connections Academy. “It means that all of my hard work is paying off.”

According to Romero, one of the secrets to her success was to keep things in perspective.

“During the season I wasn’t really chasing birdies,” she said. “I just go for pars. It ended up saving me a lot of strokes.”

Among those who’ve won JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year honors are six-time PGA Tour winner Bryson DeChambeau and former No.1 world-ranked amateur Justin Suh.

Moraga resident Baron Szeto’s name is now part of the list.

Szeto, a 17-year-old senior at Campolindo High School, captured the 2019-2020 season title with 1,333 points. Along with a win at the Fall Series VIII Championship, he’d also have two runner-up finishes (Holiday Series III and Summer Series I Championships) and a third place finish at the Fall Series II Championship.

Paramdeep Sodhi finished in second place with 1,128 points.

“Winning the award means a lot,” Szeto said. “It means I was consistent throughout the season. I played pretty well in all of the events.”

Needing a strong finish at the season-ending Tour Championship to wrap up the crown, Szeto responded by placing fourth.

“I didn’t try to think too much about where I was in the points standings,” he said. “I just focused on my game.”