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Jacob Solomon Wins CIF State
Jacob Solomon of Dublin High took the individual title, while Westlake High of Westlake Village made it an unprecedented two in a row.
Solomon, a senior headed to the University of Auburn in the fall, shot a 3-under 68, and Westlake High fired a score of 18-over 373 to win the individual and team titles, respectively, at Wednesday’s CIF Boys State Championship at par-71 Poppy Hills Golf Course.
Solomon, a member of the Junior Tour of Northern California, defeated co-runner-ups Justin Suh of Evergreen Valley (San Jose) and Shrish Dwivedi of Harker School (San Jose) by a stroke. With the victory, he joins a list of former state champions that includes Rickie Fowler and Patrick Cantlay.
“I knew Rickie had won it. It’s pretty special to add my name,” Solomon said. “Winning a California state championship is pretty cool, knowing how great everyone here is.”
Even par through his first eight holes, Solomon made his first push by stringing together three straight birdies from holes No.9 through No.11.
He’d stumble with a bogey on the 12th and dropped back to even with a double-bogey on the 13th, but closed out his day with a birdie on No.16 and an eagle on the par-5 18th. On 18, he’d stiff a 3-iron from 210 yards out to within 10 feet of the flagstick and knock in the putt.
“It was a pretty special round,” Solomon said. “I felt like my ball-striking was great. The last three holes I told myself that I wanted to cap my high school career on a high note. It was fun.”
With a win, Suh, the 2014 champion, would’ve become the first individual to win two CIF state titles. He’d get to 3-under through his first 10 holes, but later stumbled with bogeys on the 13th and 14th holes. Headed to USC in the fall, Suh closed with a two-putt birdie on the 18th but was left one shot short.
“I knew that no one had won it twice. My coach made that clear. Coming in as defending champ added to the pressure,” Suh said. “My swing just didn’t feel right.”
For Suh, neither did the 13th or 14th holes. The winner of this year’s San Franciso City Championship, Suh said that he also struggled with the two holes in a practice round on Tuesday.
“They’re just tough holes for me. They don’t fit my eye,” Suh said. “There are not a lot of places to miss it on those greens.”
After going 2-over early on, Dwivedi birdied holes No.7, No.9 and No.10 to get to red numbers. The Duke bound senior bogeyed the 14th though to drop back to even par before birdying the 16th and 18th holes.
Five players finished the individual championship tied for fourth at 71 including Kaiwen Liu of Torrey Pines, Noah Norton of Pleasant Valley and Temescal Canyon’s Norman Xiong.
While Suh came up just short, Westlake did make history. The Warriors, who defeated runner-up Torrey Pines by four strokes, are the first team to win two titles.
westlake
Westlake High became the first team to win two state titles.
Leading the way for Westlake were Matt Wolff and Spencer Soosman, who were among the five at 71. Other Warriors scores were Brandon Jacobs (79), Justin Egelske (75), Jack Biwer (83) and Preston Smith (77).
Westlake returned five of the six players that won the state last year. The player who’s gone, Sean Crocker, now plays at USC, which finished as runner-up in the NCAA Championship on Wednesday.
Warriors coach Rick Naranjo didn’t set his line-up for this year’s championship until after a play-in practice round (four players for three spots) on Tuesday.
“The kids said that yesterday’s competition to get in was tougher than today,” Westlake head coach Rick Naranjo said. “They said they were more relaxed today.”
Torrey Pines, who won the title in 2011 and finished at 377, was led by Liu’s 71 and Adam Navigato’s 76. Other Falcons scores were Toby Song (77), Jamie Cheatham (78), Otto Vanahatalo (86) and James Song (75).
Finishing third in the team championship at 386 and making it a clean sweep for the Southern California contingent was Loyola of Los Angeles.
As for choosing to take his game to Auburn and the SEC, Solomon said his decision was based on the relationships he’s forged with the coaches there.
“The facilities they have there, nothing compares to it. And they have good academics,” Solomon said.
Looking ahead, Westlake could be on its way to a mini-dynasty. This year’s squad consisted of all juniors and one sophomore.
JTNC Alum Wins National Title
The Junior Tour of Northern California has its first national champion.
Southern Methodist University junior Bryson DeChambeau, who was the JTNC Player of the Year in 2011, shot a final round 1-under 71 Monday at The Concession Golf Club in Florida to win the NCAA Championship Individual title by one over runner-up Cheng-Tsung Pan of the University of Washington.
DeChambeau, who hails from Clovis, finished the 72-hole event with a total of 8-under 280. He’s the first SMU player to ever win a national title. The Mustangs claimed the team title in 1954.
“I’m so honored to be named the national champion, the first national champion for SMU,” DeChambeau said. “I can’t say anything else, but thank you to everybody for their support. There’s nothing better to feel.”
DeChambeau made his big move with a second round 67 on Saturday that featured an eagle and five birdies to go against just two bogeys. Starting on the 10th tee, in Monday’s clincher he’d crawl out of the gates with a front-nine 38. After making the turn—and when it counted the most—he’d go bogey-free with three birdies for a 33.
“My stomach was churning the whole time, it was difficult,” DeChambeau said. “Luckily I didn’t have to go into a playoff.”
For DeChambeau, what became an impressive spring run began when he placed second at the American Championship after shooting a conference record 8-under 64 in the final round. Shortly after, he was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, becoming the first Mustangs golfer to win league player of the year honors since Kelly Kraft won Conference USA Player of the Year in 2010.
At the NCAA Noblesville Regional at The Sagamore Club in Indiana, DeChambeau took fifth after shooting 4-under 212. His play helped the Mustang grab a share of the team title with Illinois.
In early May, DeChambeau and partner/SMU teammate Austin Smotherman reached the Round of 16 at the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at the Olympic Club.
As a junior player, DeChambeau was a regular on the JTNC circuit.
“The experience that I had at the JTNC helped me get to a higher level of play as well as a higher standard of my character,” said DeChambeau in a 2014 interview.
Junior Tour Holiday III: Poppy Hills GC & Del Monte GC
Pebble Beach, CA
December 28-29, 2015
Yardages: Poppy Hills | Del Monte
CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Holiday Series III Championship at Poppy Hills Golf Course and Del Monte Golf Course
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (December 30, 2015) –Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Tuesday at the Holiday Series III Championship at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach and Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey.
Dublin resident Hayden Hui shot even-par 143 and Concord resident Yealimi Noh shot 5-over 148 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday Series III Championship held Monday and Tuesday at par-71 Poppy Hills Golf Course and par-72 Del Monte Golf Course.
Hui picked up his first win of the 2015-2016 season thanks to solid play at both venues.
Boys’ Championship winner Hayden Hui, runner-up Ryan Johnson and third place finisher Joshua McCarthy (left to right)
Hui opened with an even-par 72 at Del Monte on Monday after posting three birdies to go against three birdies. The 72 left Hui just a shot behind Novato’s Matthew Watkins, who fired a 71.
On Tuesday at Poppy Hills, Hui continued his stellar play, shooting a 71 that featured four birdies and four bogeys. His big run came on holes No.10 through No.12, where he’d record three straight birdies in a row. Hui’s two-day total of 143 was good enough to defeat runner-up Ryan Johnson of Yountville by two shots.
Johnson also opened with a 72 at Del Monte, posting four birdies to go with two bogeys and a double-bogey on the par-4 16th. Over at Poppy Hills, Johnson had a tougher time scoring any birdies. He’d only post one on the par-3 15th to go against three bogeys.
Also in the mix was 2014 JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year Joshua McCarthy. The Danville resident had his own 72 Monday at Del Monte after penciling in five birdies to go with five bogeys. Like Johnson, McCarthy also had a tougher go at Poppy Hills, posting just one birdie to go against four bogeys for a 74 and two-day total of 146.
Finishing in a tie for fourth at 147 were San Jose’s Jinhyuk Kim and Palo Alto’s Ahmed Ali after final rounds of 72 and 73, respectively. Ali entered the event leading in the points standings for 2016 JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year honors.
Girls’ Championship winner Yealimi Noh, runner-up Kiran Sangha and third place finisher Mika Jin (left to right)
Watkins fell back into a tie for 15th after posting an 83 at Poppy Hills.
While Hui hung on, Noh cruised to a four stroke victory with some stellar play of her own.
In Monday’s opening round at Poppy Hills, Noh grabbed a two shot lead over San Mateo’s Kiran Sangha thanks to a solid 1-over 72 that featured two birdies and just three bogeys.
A day later at Del Monte, Noh continued to have a hot hand, shooting a 76 that featured one birdie and just five bogeys. The win was Noh’s second of the 2015-2016 season and 8th career JTNC victory, moving her to third place on the all-time Girls win-list behind Casie Cathrea (18) and Sabrina Iqbal (16).
Sangha, who opened with a 74 at Poppy Hills, fell back with a 78 at Del Monte to come in at 152. Mika Jin of Fremont, who shot a first round 78, had a 76 to place third at 154.
Amanjoty Sangha of San Mateo was fourth at 155 following a 78, while Brooke Riley of Manteca was fith at 156 after a 77.
San Ramon resident Yoonhee Kim, who was gunning for a record seven JTNC wins in one calendar year, finished in 18th place following rounds of 83-82. Kim’s six wins during 2015 tied the record set previously by Sabrina Iqbal (2014) and Casie Cathrea (2012).
Girls’ First Flight winner Catherine Batang, runner-up Liam Sklar and third place finisher Natalie Kinney (left to right)
Over in the Girls’ First Flight, things were close as Catherine Batang of South San Francisco shot a second round 84 to come in at 166 and edge runner-up Liam Sklar of Los Gatos by a stroke. Helping Batang were two crucial pars on the 17th and 18th holes at Poppy Hills on Tuesday.
Sklar had rounds of 86-81 to come in at 167, while Natalie Kinney of El Dorado Hills finished third at 168 following a 78. Fourth place went to Erica Lam of San Jose at 169 after an 88. Anna Matthiasson of Los Gatos and Gianelli Liguidliguid tied for fifth at 170 following rounds of 84 and 87, respectively.
The Boys’ First Flight Championship also came down to the end. Gunwoo Han of San Leandro had a second round 78 at Del Monte to finish at 156 and edge runner-up Nathan Wang of Fremont by a shot.
Boys’ First Flight winner Gunwoo Han, runner-up Nathan Wang and third place finisher Jackson Lee (left to right)
Han held on despite a quadruple-bogey on the closing par-4 18th at Del Monte. Helping him was a par a hole earlier on the 17th. Wang had a chance but finished with four straight bogeys on holes No.15 through No.18 to finish at 157.
Third place went to Jackson Lee of Menlo Park at 160 following an 81, while Krishan Patel of San Jose was fourth at 161 after an 80. Mikey Shudoma of Pebble Beach and Alan Chen of Fremont shared fifth place at 162 after rounds of 81 and 82, respectively.
The 2015-2016 season resumes on March 12-13, starting with the Spring Series I at Stockton Golf and Country Club and the Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.
Junior Tour Holiday II: Morro Bay GC
Morro Bay, CA
December 5-6, 2015
Contestant Information Sheet | Yardages
CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Holiday Series II Championship at Morro Bay Golf Course
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (December 7, 2015) –Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Holiday Series II Championship at Morro Bay Golf Course in Morro Bay.
Arroyo Grande resident Jack Avrit shot 1-under 141 and San Ramon resident Yoonhee KIm shot 6-over 148 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday Series II Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-71 Morro Bay Golf Course.
Avrit earned his second straight win the hard way, defeating Peter Kuest of Fresno on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff.
Following Saturday’s first round, Avrit appeared to be in a duel with Alamo’s Ryan Grauman after both players opened with matching scores of 2-under 69.
Boys’ Championship winner Jack Avrit, runner-up Peter Kuest and third place finisher Joshua McCarthy (left to right).
Coming off a win at the Holiday Series I at Del Monte GC, Avrit posted four birdies to go against just two bogeys. Grauman, meanwhile, went low with an eagle on the par-4 14th and four birdies to go against four bogeys.
In Sunday’s finale, the leaderboard would become more jumbled.
Avrit shot a 72 to come in at 141, while Grauman had a 74 to fall back into a tie for third with Danville’s Joshua McCarthy at 143.
Moving up the leaderboard, on the other hand, was Kuest. Coming off a solid 70 that featured three birdies and just two bogeys, Kuest shot a final round 71 to catch Avrit at a total of 141.
In the playoff, the two would halve the first three holes before Avrit, who won this year’s Pro-Junior title at the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach with partner Mark O’Meara, broke through.
McCarthy, the 2014 JTNC Player of the Year, finished in a tie for third with Grauman. Kyle Wilkinson of San Francisco placed fifth at 144 after a final round 73.
For Kim, it was also her second straight victory.
Girls’ Championship winner Yoonhee Kim, runner-up Yealimi Noh and third place finisher Ashely Shim (left to right)
Coming off a win at the Holiday Series I at Del Monte GC, Kim took control early with a first round 72 that featured four birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey.
Headed to UC Davis in the fall of 2016, Kim held on in the final round, posting a 76 to edge co-runner-ups Yealimi Noh of Concord and Ashely Shim of San Mateo by two strokes.
The win was Kim’s sixth of the year and fourth of the 2015-2016 season. The six wins tied Casie Cathrea (2012) and Sabrina Iqbal (2014) for most wins in a calendar year.
Both Noh and Shim came in at 150 after final rounds of 74 and 75, respectively. Noh was awarded second place after a card-off (lower back-nine score).
Angela Bagasbas of San Ramon placed fourth at 153 following a final round 75, while Angela Liu of San Jose took fifth at 154 following a 75.
Also on a roll is Danville resident Jared Khoo.
Boys’ First Flight winner Jared Khoo, runner-up Alan Chen and third place finisher Garrett Boe (left to right)
Khoo picked up his second straight win and third of the season, posting back-to-back rounds of 78 to come in at 156 and win the Boys’ First Flight Championship by two shots over co-runner-ups Alan Chen of Fremont and Garrett Boe of Clovis.
Chen and Boe, who each shot 82 in the final round, finished at 158. In a card-off, Boe was awarded second place with Chen taking third.
Kyle Kuest of Fresno and Justin Polk of Santa Clara shared fourth place at 159 following final rounds of 78 and 81, respectively.
In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Pleasanton’s Gianelli Liguidliguid ran away with the title.
Liguidliguid posted rounds of 79-77 to come in at 156 and defeat the field by eight strokes.
Girls’ First Flight winner Gianelli Liguidliguid, runner-up Liam Sklar and third place finisher Cynthia Zhang (left to right)
Both Liam Sklar of Los Gatos and Cynthia Zhang of Milpitas finished tied for second at 164 following final rounds of 78 and 81, respectively. Sklar was awarded second place after a card-off.
Fourth place went to Helen Ye of Redwood City at 165 following an 83, while Livermore’s Isabel Minton was fifth at 166 after an 86.
Next up on the JTNC calendar is the Challenge Cup, to be held Dec. 22-23 at Poppy Hills GC in Pebble Beach. The Challenge Cup will feature 12 of the best players from the JTNC taking on 12 of the best players from the Southern California Junior Tour.
The next regular tournament will be the Holiday Series III Championship, to be held Dec. 28-29 at Poppy Hills GC and Del Monte GC.
Junior Tour Holiday I: Del Monte GC
Monterey, CA
November 23-24, 2015
Contestant Information Sheet | Yardages
CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Holiday Series I Championship at Del Monte Golf Course
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (November 23, 2015) –Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Tuesday at the Holiday Series I Championship at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey.
Arroyo Grande resident Jack Avrit shot 3-over 147 and San Ramon resident Yoonhee KIm shot 7-over 151 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday Series I Championship held Monday and Tuesday at par-72 Del Monte Golf Course.
Boys’ Championship winner Jack Avrit, runner-up Robert Briggs and third place finisher Haetee Yang (left to right)
Avrit picked up his first win of the season with a sensational even-par 72 despite wind, rain and cold in the final round.
The winner of this year’s Pro-Junior at the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach playing with partner Mark O’Meara, Avrit shrugged off the conditions, posting three birdies to go against three bogeys.
On the front-nine, he’d shoot a 35 with birdies on holes No.2 and No.5. In Monday’s first round, he’d open with a 75.
First round leader Robert Briggs of Novato, who raced out of the gates with a 3-under 69, fell back to a 79 to place second at 148.
In the first round, Briggs was hot, posting an eagle (on the par-5 9th) and five birdies to go against just four bogeys.
Girls’ Championship winner Yoonhee Kim, runner-up Borina Sutikto and third place finisher Mika Jin (left to right)
Finishing tied for third at 150 were Heetae Yang of Pleasanton and Peter Kuest of Fresno after final rounds of 73 and 75, respectively. Yang would be awarded third place following a card-off (lower back-nine score).
Coming in T-5 at 151 were Brian Ma of Milpitas and Cupertino’s Ethan Chung. Ma shot a final round 75 while Chung had an 80.
Over in the Girls’ Championship, the victory marked Kim’s third of the season. She previously captured titles at the Fall Series II and Fall Series III Championships.
Headed to UC Davis in the fall of 2016, Kim shot rounds of 75-76 to beat the field by nine strokes .Included in her run was an eagle on the par-5 opening 1st hole on Monday.
Kim will be one of four girls representing the JTNC at the inaugural Challenge Cup, to be held Dec. 22-23 at Poppy Hills GC in Pebble Beach.
Borina Sutikto of Fremont placed second at 160 after a final round 82.
Boy’ First Flight winner Jared Khoo, runner-up Krishan Patel and third place finisher Jonathan Wu (left to right)
Third place went to Mika Jin of Fremont at 161 after an 80, while Courtney Vogel of Pacific Grove took fourth at 162 following a final round 82. Doodle Yuen of Los Gatos placed fifth at 164 after an 85.
In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Danville’s Jared Khoo got his second win of the season, posting a final round 83 to come in at 157, a shot better than runner-up Krishan Patel of San Jose.
In Monday’s first round, Khoo shot a solid 74 that featured three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey. Patel had back-to-back rounds of 79 and had a chance to catch Khoo or take the lead but finished with a double-bogey. It was the first time that Patel has medaled in a JTNC event.
Placing third at 166 after an 82 was Jonathan Wu of Hayward, while Jackson Koivun of San Jose was fourth at 170 following an 88.
Girls’ First Flight winner Madison Beckett, runner-up Irene Jun and third place finisher Sara Johnson (left to right)
The Girls’ First Flight Championship was also a nail-biter.
Madison Beckett of Santa Rosa shot an 84 to come in at 166 and edge runner-up Irene Jun of San Jose by one.
Jun, who shot a final round 83, also had her chances but had two late double-bogeys.
Third place went to Sara Johnson at 168 following a 90, while Pleasanton’s jasmine Chen was fourth at 175 after an 88.
Next up on the 2015-2016 JTNC calendar is the Holiday Series II Championship, slated for Dec. 5-6 at Morro Bay Golf Course in Morro Bay.
Junior Tour Fall IX: Rancho Murieta GC
Rancho Murieta, CA
October 24-25, 2015
Yardages: North Course | South Course
CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Fall Series IX Championship at Rancho Murieta Country Club
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (October 26, 2015) –Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Fall Series IX Championship at Rancho Murieta Country Club in Rancho Murieta.
San Ramon resident Ashkaan Hakim shot 2-under 142 and San Jose resident Sabrina Iqbal shot 3-under 141 to win their respective divisions at the Fall Series IX Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Rancho Murieta Country Club.
Hakim picked up his first win of the 2015-2016 season after defeating Palo Alto’s Ahmed Ali on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.
Boys’ Championship winner Ashkaan Hakim, runner-up Ahmed Ali and third place finisher Cooper Hunt (left to right)
In just getting to the playoff, Hakim put together one of the best rounds of the season. A day after struggling to an opening round 76, Hakim fired a brilliant, bogey-free 66 that included six birdies. He’d make his big move on the front-nine, where he posted a 4-under 32.
Ali, who took the first round lead with a 68, opened the door for Hakim by slipping back to a 74 in Sunday’s second round. During his 68, Ali, who was looking for his second straight win, had six birdies to go against two bogeys. He’d have a chance to win the title in regulation but carded a crucial bogey on the par-4 13th. Ali followed that up with five straight pars to also come in at 142.
Hakim’s previous best finishes had been a pair of fourth place runs at the Fall Series V and Fall Series VIII Championships.
Cooper Hunt of El Dorado Hills took third place at 144 after posting identical rounds of 72.
Alamo’s Ryan Grauman finished fourth at 145 following a second round 74, while Granite Bay’s Drake Mendenhall finished fifth at 147 after a 72.
For Iqbal, the victory was also her first of the new season. The two-time defending JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year, who now has 15 career JTNC titles, had previously finished second at both the Fall Series I and Fall Series IV Championships.
Girls’ Championship winner Sabrina Iqbal, runner-up Emilee Hoffman and third place finisher Kiran Sangha (left to right)
Following Saturday’s first round, Iqbal and Emilee Hoffman of Folsom were tied atop the leaderboard at 70. Hoffman, who was in search of her third win of the season, had previously won the Fall Series IV and Fall Series VIII titles.
In the finale, Iqbal emerged the winner after carding a 71 that featured five birdies to go against two bogeys and a double-bogey.
Hoffman fell back to a 73 after going 3-over through her first 14 holes. She’d card back-to-back birdies on holes No.15 and No.16, but by then Iqbal had sewn things up.
San Mateo’s Kiran Sangha, who took second at the Fall Series VII Championship, was also in the mix after an opening round 71. She’d shoot a second round 73 to finish alone in third at 144.
Boys’ First Flight champion Jared Yee and runner-up Kevin Sze (left to right)
Fourth place went to Katherine Zhu of San Jose at 151 following a 78. Three players—Mika Jin of Fremont, Belinda Hu of San Ramon and Amanjoty Sangha of San Mateo—all finished T-5 at 153 following final round scores of 78, 79 and 80, respectively.
Over in the Boys’ First Flight, Jared Yee of Fremont took the title, shooting a final round 77 to come in at 153 and defeat runner-up Kevin Sze of Saratoga by three shots. Sze shot a final round 79.
Third place went to Gunwoo Han of San Leandro at 157 following a 79, while Jeremy Choi of Fremont finished fourth at 158 after an 81.
Jared Khoo of Danville and Baron Szeto of Moraga placed T-5 at 159 following scores of 76 and 81, respectively.
In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, it also took extra holes to determine a champion.
Girls’ First Flight champion Jasmine Chen, runner-up Lauren von Thaden and third place finisher Audrey Im (left to right)
Jasmine of Chen of Pleasanton defeated Lauren von Thaden of Atherton on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff for the victory. The two had both come in tied after regulation at 161, having shot identical rounds of 80-81.
Audrey Im of Danville was third at 164 following an 85. Three players—Chloe Weng of Los Altos, Pleasanton’s Kate Lim and Stockton’s Zoe Offield—all finished T-4 following final rounds of 83, 86 and 86, respectively.
William Yao had the lone ace of the tournament.
William Yao of Santa Clara had the shot of the tournament, acing the 2nd hole during the second round.
The Fall Series IX Championship concluded the Fall Series portion of the season. Next up on the 2015-2016 JTNC calendar is the Holiday Series I, slated for Nov. 23-24 at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey.
Junior Tour Fall VIII: Poppy Ridge GC
Livermore, CA
October 17-18, 2015
Contestant Information Sheet | Yardages
CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Fall Series VIII Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (October 23, 2015) –Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Fall Series VIII Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
Palo Alto resident Ahmed Ali shot 4-under 140 and Folsom resident Emilee Hoffman shot 3-over 147 to win their respective divisions at the Fall Series VIII Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Poppy Ridge Golf Course.
Ali picked up his first win of the season thanks to an impressive first round 4-under 68.
Boys’ Championship third place finisher Lucas Carper, runner-up Scott Mitchell and winner Ahmed Ali (left to right)
Ali, who played with his brother at this year’s U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at the Olympic Club, started strong by carding five birdies to go against just one bogey in the opening round.
In Sunday’s second round, Ali fell back to a 72, but it was good enough to defeat runner-up Scott Mitchell of Santa Rosa by a stroke.
A day after his 68, Ali had six birdies to go with four bogeys and a double-bogey. Following a double-bogey on the par-4 15th, it appeared that Ali’s lead was in jeopardy. He’d bounce right back, however, carding two critical birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to stay in the lead.
Trying to chase down Ali was Mitchell. Coming off a wild first round 75, Mitchell turned on the jets—posting a tourney-low 6-under 66. After opening with a 1-under 35, Mitchell penciled in a flawless back-nine 31 that featured five birdies and zero bogeys.
Taking third place in the Boys’ Championship at 142 following his second straight 71 was San Jose resident Lucas Carper.
Three players—George McNeely of Carmel, Ryan Johnson of Yountville and Ashkaan Hakim of San Ramon—all finished tied for fourth at 143. McNeely, like Mitchell, also had a big turnaround, going from an opening 74 to a 69. Johnson and Hakim had final rounds of 70 and 72, respectively.
Girls’ championship winner Emilee Hoffman, runner-up Simar Singh and third place finisher Yealimi Noh (left to right)
Isaiah Choi of San Ramon went the other way. Choi took the first round lead with a sparkling 67 that included an eagle (on the 18th) and five birdies to go against just two bogeys. He’d finish with an 82, however, to land in a tie for 16th.
The Girls’ Championship had an even crazier finish.
There, Hoffman finished tied at 147 after regulation with Simar Singh of Los Altos and Yealimi Noh of Concord.
The trio went to a sudden-death playoff, with Hoffman finally taking the title after draining a 20-foot birdie putt on the sixth hole. The three all made pars on the first five holes of the playoff.
Singh, winner of this year’s California Junior Girls’ State Championship, was awarded second place in a card-off. Noh, who won the California Junior Girls’ title in 2014, took third.
Following Saturday’s first round the three formed a logjam atop the leaderboard, with Noh in the lead at 71, Hoffman in second at 72 and Singh third at 73.
Boys’ First Flight winner Jeremy Choi, runner-up Jay Thomas and third place finisher Anthony Ha (left to right)
On Sunday, Noh slipped back to a 76, with Hoffman shooting 74 and Singh 75. All three had a chance to win it in regulation, but all three would card a double-bogey on the 18th.
For Hoffman, it was her second win of the season. She also captured the Fall Series IV Championship.
Finishing in fourth place at 149 was Yoonhee Kim of San Ramon. A day after carding an 80, Kim caught fire, posting a 69 that featured four birdies and just one bogey.
Coming in tied for fifth at 150 were Belinda Hu of San Ramon and Amanjoty Sangha of San Mateo after final rounds of 75 and 76, respectively.
There wasn’t as much drama in the Boys’ First Flight Championship.
Jeremy Choi of Fremont took the title by seven shots, coming in at 149 after a solid 69. A day after opening with an 80, Choi got going, posting six birdies to go against three bogeys.
Girls’ First Flight winner Jasmine Chen, runner-up Irene Jun and third place finisher Steffi Lin (left to right)
Taking second place at 156 was Jay Thomas of Moraga after a second round 80.
Third place went to Anthony Ha of Palo Alto at 158 following a 77, while Lawrence Fu of Palo Alto and Jacques Le of San Jose finished tied for fifth after identical final rounds of 80.
Over in the Girls’ First Flight Championship, it was another tight finish.
Jasmine Chen of Pleasanton, Irene Jun of San Jose and Steffi Lin of San Ramon all finished tied after regulation with scores of 161. In the playoff, Chen prevailed as champion, with Jun taking second and Lin placing third in a card-off.
Chen had rounds of 81-80. Jun and Lin had final round scores of 82 and 84, respectively.
Finishing in fourth place at 163 was Priya Bakshi of Palo Alto after an 84, while Liam Sklar of Los Gatos was fifth following an 82.
Next up on the 2015-2016 calendar is the Fall Series IX Championship, to be held Oct. 24-25 at Rancho Murieta Country Club in Rancho Murieta.
Junior Tour Fall VII: Napa GC at Kennedy Park
Napa, CA
October 10-11, 2015
Contestant Information Sheet | Yardages
CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners in Fall Series VII Championship at Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (October 12, 2015) –Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2015 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Fall Series VII Championship at Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park in Napa.
Newark resident Jeremy Villafuerte shot 3-over 147 and Pleasanton resident Annie Liu shot 7-over 151 to win their respective divisions at the Fall Series VII Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Napa GC at Kennedy Park.
Villafuerte picked up his first win of the season in thrilling fashion, defeating runner-up Anthony Georgouses of Fresno on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.
Boys’ Championship winner Jeremy Villafuerte, runner-up Anthony Georgouses and third place finisher Alexander Chin (left to right)
Coming off a 74 that left him three shots behind first round leader Drake Mendenhall, Villafuerte moved to the top of the leaderboard on Sunday with a scrambling 73 that included seven birdies, five bogeys and a triple-bogey.
The key for Villafuerte would be a closing birdie on the 18th to bring him in at 147.
Also making a Sunday move was Georgouses. A day after opening with a 75, Georgouses put together a solid 72 featuring two birdies and two bogeys. He’d also birdie the 18th to force extra holes.
In the playoff, Villafuerte made two pars while Georgouses had a par and a bogey.
Making a push to join the playoff was Pleasanton’s Alexander Chin, who fired a second round, two birdie, one bogey 71 to come in at 148. Michael Savin of Belmont, who had opened with a 72, slipped to a second round 76 but also had a chance to get into the playoff. He’d be stung by a double-bogey on the par-4 12th, however, leaving him a stroke short at 148 with Chin. In a card-off, Chin was awarded third place.
Girls’ Championship winner Annie Liu, runner-up Kiran Sangha and third place finisher Neeve Chan (left to right)
Mendenhall, who had opened with a steady 71, fell back into a tie for fifth at 149 after a final round 78. Also coming in at 149 were Los Gatos’ Aiden Farr and Finigan Tilly of Redwood City following final rounds of 73 and 74, respectively. Farr was hurt by a bogey on the 10th and a double-bogey on the 11th. Tilly was unable to make up ground after carding back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes.
Like Villafuerte, Liu also came back to take the title.
Coming off a first round 78 that left her four shots behind leader Kiran Sangha of San Mateo, Liu put together a solid second round 73 that featured three birdies and four bogeys to come from behind for the victory. The win was also Liu’s first of the 2015-2016 season.
Sangha, who’d opened with a 74, couldn’t get into any rhythm on Sunday, slipping to an 80 to come in at 154.
Boys’ First Flight winner Dante Clark, runner-up Alex Sun and third place finisher Alexander Lin (left to right)
Neeve Chen of Roseville went the opposite way of Sangha, following up an opening round 81 with a 74 to finish third at 155.
Belinda Hu of San Ramon came in fourth at 156 after a final round 79, while Angela Liu of San Jose took fifth at 157 following an 82.
In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Dante Clark of San Jose had a second round 80 but came in at 155, good enough to defeat runner-up Alex Sun of Danville by two strokes. In Saturday’s opening round, Clark managed a 75 that featured a birdie and four bogeys.
Sun had a Sunday 75 to come in second at 157. Alexander Lin of Oakland finished third at 161 following a final round 79.
Fourth place went to Kyle Kuest of Fresno at 164, while Sean Alexander MacSween of Los Gatos was fifth at 165.
Girls’ First Flight winner Lauren Shew, runner-up Isabel Minton and third place finisher Julia Ni (left to right)
In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Lauren Shew of San Francisco shot a final round 83 to hold on and defeat runner-up Isabel Minton of Livermore by three shots. In Saturday’s opener, Shew had an 80.
Minton finished up with an 81 to come in tied for second at 166 with Julia Ni of Dublin, who shot a final round 87. In a card-off (lower back-nine score), Minton was awarded second place with Ni taking third.
Doodle Yuen of Los Gatos was fourth at 168 following a 79, while Annika Cruz of Milpitas took fifth at 171 after an 81.
Next up on the JTNC calendar is the Fall Series VIII Championship, to be held October 17-18 at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
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