Tour Championship – Poppy Hills GC

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July 28, 2020

Boys’ Championship

Reno resident Ian Gilligan was clutch when he had to be.

Gilligan made a birdie on the closing par-5 18th hole at Poppy Hills Golf Course to shoot a final round 3-under 68 and win the Boys’ overall title by a stroke over co-runners-ups Jackson Koivun and Greg Mouser. For Giligan, who finished with a two-day total of 8-under 134, the win was personally huge for a few reasons. Less than a month ago, he held a two-shot lead at the NCGA Junior Championship but failed to hold on. Back in 2018, meanwhile, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He is now cancer-free.

“This is definitely a big win for me,” said Gilligan, who is headed to CSU-Long Beach in the fall of 2021. “I had a tough loss at Lake Merced (NCGA Junior). It’s nice to know I can play well down the stretch.”

Helping Gilligan both days, but most importantly towards the end, was a solid short game.

“I made a lot of clutch up-and-downs for par,” said Gilligan, whose round included a pivotal eagle on the par-5 9th. “My short game was really huge.”

Looking to make a charge, Koivun made things interesting with a bogey-free final round 8-under 63 that included six birdies and a chip-in eagle on the 18th. The 63 was a personal competitive low for Koivun. Mouser shot a final round 68.

“I played solid,” Koivun said. “My putting was insanely good. I don’t think I missed a putt the whole day.”

Girls’ Championship

Madelyn Gamble completed the double-double.

Gamble, coming off a recent win at the NCGA Junior Championship, shot a final-round even-par 71 to win the Girls’ title by two shots over runner-up Kiara Romero.

A senior at Carondelet High, Gamble was the lone player to shoot par or better both rounds. Headed to Washington State University in the fall of 2021, she’d post three birdies to go against three bogeys. Two clutch pars to finish sealed the victory.

“I just stayed relaxed and thought about it one shot at a time,” Gamble said. “I enjoy playing Poppy Hills. Every time I play it, I like it more.”

Romero, who led after the first round, fell into second after a 74. Third place went to Gia Feliciano at 143 after a 71.

Brenden Ashman aced the par-3 2nd hole

Clovis resident Brenden Ashman had an incredible start to his final round, going 5-under through his first four holes (birdie, ace, birdie, birdie). And he did it all playing in his socks. Ashman back in March broke the pinky toe on his left foot in three places when he accidentally dropped a 25-pound weight on his foot. To avoid discomfort while healing, he began playing without any shoes on.

“I’ve just gotten used to playing without shoes on,” said Ashman, who said that going shoeless has helped his balance.

As for going back to shoes, Ashman said he’s not planning to anytime soon. “Nope, not right now,” he said.

Boys’ First Flight

Matthew Lin shot a final round 75 to come in at 5-over 147 for the victory. Second place went to Joshua Wang at 148 after two straight 74s.

Girls’ First Flight

Emma Wang shot a final round 78 to come in at 158 for the win. Second place went to Joomi Park at 160.

Photo Gallery

Ian Gilligan remains hot, as does Kiara Romero.

Gilligan, who was in the running for the title at the recent NCGA Junior Championship, opened this week’s JTNC Tour Championship with a stellar first-round leading score of 5-under 66. Gilligan would post seven birdies to go against just two bogeys. On the front-nine he’d post two birdies with zero bogeys.

In second place at 67 is Greg Mouser. Mouser posted four birdies and an eagle on the closing par-5 18th to go against just two bogeys. Alone in third place is Baron Szeto at 69. Along with going for the win, Szeto is also looking to sew up 2019-2020 Boys’ Player of the Year honors. He entered the event leading in the points standings at 1,183 points. In second place was Paramdeep Sodhi (1,078 points), who opened with a 74 and is at T-19.

Romero took the lead in the Girls’ Championship, carding a solid 3-under 68 that featured four birdies and just one bogey. Romero entered the event leading in the Girls’ Player of the Year race with 1,655 points. In second place was Selenat Tang at 1,548. Tang is not in the field.

In second place at 69 is Madelyn Gamble. Gamble, who won the title at the recent NCGA Girls’ Junior, carded three birdies and just one bogey. Gia Feliciano is in third at 72.

In the Boys’ First Flight division, Matthew Lin and Ben Friedman are tied at the top of the leaderboard with scores of 1-over 72. Joshua Wang is just two shots back at 74.

In the Girls’ First Flight division, Allison Yang leads after an opening 79. Emma Wang is in second at 80.

Photo Gallery 

Summer Series III – Spring Creek G&CC

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CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Summer Series III Championship at Spring Creek Golf and Country Club in Ripon

 PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (July 21, 2020) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Monday at the Summer Series III Championship at Spring Creek Golf and Country Club.

Ryan Meyer shot 2-over 144 and Kiara Selena Tang shot 5-overer 147 to win their respective divisions at the Summer Series III Championship held Sunday and Monday at par-71 Spring Creek.

Meyer captured his first win of the season due in part to a terrific opening round 69 that featured four birdies and just two bogeys. Meyer would close out the round with back-to-back birdies on the 17^th and 18^th holes.

A day later, Meyer was again steady, posting a 75 to run away to a four-shot victory over runner-up Tylor Chou. Chou also had a nice opening round, carding a 72. He’d fall back to a 76 on Monday to come in at 148.

Third place went to Chanhee Ryu at 149 after a final round 76. Joe Hayden was fourth at 150. Three players—Arthur Lyons, John Snyder and Howard Shu—were T-5 at 152.

In the Girls’ Championship, Tang captured her second win of the season due in part to a crucial birdie on the 16^th hole in the final round. She’d have four total birdies on the day en route to a final round 74, helping her edge runner-up Cynthia Zhang by a stroke. Zhang, who had opened with a solid 71, had a chance to force a playoff but bogeyed the 18^th for a final round 77 and two-day total of 148.

Third place went to Samantha Lin at 157, with Ashley Knepshield placing fourth at 158. Ryan Flynn and Hannah Sangha were T-5 at 159.

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Matthew Lin shot a final round 73 and defeated Ethan Lien in a card-off playoff for the win. Both players had finished at 7-over 149.

Third place went to Benjamin Wang at 151, with Joshua Kim taking fourth at 154. Arnold He and Ben Friedman were T-5 at 155.

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Emma Wang shot a final round 75 to come in at 156 and defeat c-runners-up Lily Peng and Madalynn Lee by three shots. Peng and Lee each finished at 159. Peng would earn second place in a card-off.

Fourth place went to Ashley Mo at 164. Sohini Pillay and Leila Moassessi were T-5 at 169.

Ethan Lien had the shot of the tournament, acing the par-3 15th on Monday.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the season-ending JTNC Tour Championship, set for July 28-29 at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

JTNC First Flight Tournament at Coyote Creek GC – Player Information, Pairing and Results

CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at First Flight Championship at Coyote Creek Golf Course in San Jose

Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the First Flight Championship at Coyote Creek Golf Course.

Winston Pan shot 3-over 75 and Cathy Zhang shot 4-over 76 to win the Boys’ First Flight and Girls’ First Flight titles, respectively.

Pan had three birdies in his round to edge runner-up Ethan Lee (76) by a stroke. Pan double-bogeyed the 18th, but Lee had to settle for a par on the hole and was unable to force a playoff.

Third place went to James Lee at 77. Mark Zhou and Jay Udinsky were T-4 at 78.

Zhang had a pair of birdies in defeating runner-up Emma Wang  (79) by three.

Third place went to Ashley Mo at 82, Joomi Park was fourth at 83 and Allison Yang was fifth at 84.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the Summer Series III Championship, to be held July19-208 at Spring Creek CC in Ripon.

Please note – the 2020 PGA Junior National Championship has been cancelled.  Summer Series II at Poppy Ridge will still be played as planned, but it is not a qualifier for the PGA any longer.

Summer Series II at Poppy Ridge – Player Information, Pairing and Results 

CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Summer Series II Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore

 PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (June 19, 2020) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Thursday at the Summer Series II Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course.

Geoffrey Jing shot 4-under 140 and Kiara Romero shot 1-under 143 to win their respective divisions at the Summer Series II Championship held Wednesday and Thursday at par-72 Poppy Ridge.

Jing captured his second win of the 2019-2020 season via a card-off playoff win (better back-nine score, 34-36) over Jaden Dumdumaya. In Thursday’s final round, Jing posted a 4-under 68 that featured six birdies and one double-bogey. A clutch birdie on the finishing par-5 18^th tied him with Dumdumaya. Dumdumaya had a final round 69 with five birdies and two bogeys. He’d also come up with a birdie on 18 to set up the playoff.

Third place went to Julian Monas at 142 after a final round 70. Jackson Koivun and Wyatt McGovern finished T-4 at 143 after rounds of 68 and 70, respectively.

In the Girls’ Championship, Romero secured her third victory of the season thanks to solid play both rounds. She’d post an opening round 71 that featured an eagle on No.5, three birdies and three bogeys.

A day later, she carded a 72 with 14 pars, two birdies and two bogeys to edge runner-up Faith Low by a shot.

Low, who had opened with a 2-under 70 featuring six birdies, slipped back to a 74 in the second round. She’d have a chance to tie Romero on the 18^th but had to settle for a par.

Charlotte Ryoo and Kiana Briggs finished T-3 at 145 after matching rounds of 74. Ryoo was awarded third place in a card-off. Fifth place went to Jaclyn LaHa at 146.

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Andrew Doll shot a final round 68 to come in at 144 and defeat runner-up Ishdeep Sodhi by a shot. Sodhi had a final round 72.

Third place went to Benjamin Wang at 139. Joshua Kim was fourth at 150 and Arnold He was fifth at 151.

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Cathy Zhang shot a final round 74 to come in at 145 and defeat runner-up Ashlee Xu by 12 shots. Xu had a final round 78.

Third place went to Lily Peng at 158, with fourth place going to Tavia Burgess at 159. Ashley Mo and Madalynn Lee were T-5 at 164.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the JTNC First Flight Tournament, to be held June 28 at Coyote Creek GC in San Jose.

Summer Series I – The Reserve at Spanos Park

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

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (June 8, 2020) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Summer Series I Championship at The Reserve at Spanos Park.

Ben Soicher shot even-par 144 and Kaleiya Romero shot 5-under 139 to win their respective divisions at the Summer Series I Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 The Reserve at Spanos Park. The event marked the return of play following a nearly three-month suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Soicher captured his second win of the season thanks to solid play each day. In the first round, he’d open with a 1-under 71 that featured four birdies and three bogeys.

A day later he’d post a 73 with four birdies and five bogeys to beat the field by four shots. Baron Szeto and Edan Cui both came in at 148 after final rounds of 77 and 75, respectively. Cui would win second place following a card-off (low back-nine score).

Fourth place went to Jaden Dundumaya at 149. Alexander Iniakov and Kurtis Rodriguez tied for fifth at 150.

Girls’ Championship winner Kaleiya Romero

In the Girls’ Championship, Romero notched her second victory of the season after a stellar performance. In the opening round, Romero posted a 1-under 71 featuring two birdies, 15 pars and a bogey.

A day later she was even better, carding seven birdies to go against just three bogeys. Romero went on to beat the field by 10 strokes.

Second place went to Kaylyn Noh at 149 after a final round 72, while Skyler May and Faith Low both came in tied at 150. May was awarded third place in a card-off. Ryan Flynn was fifth at 151.

Boys’ First Flight winner Trenton Stuart

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Trenton Stuart shot a final round 77 to come in at 145 and defeat runner-up Ishdeep Sodhi by three.

Arjun Aujlka was third at 149, Ron Friedman was fourth at 151 and Matthew Liu was fifth at 152.

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Lily Peng shot a final round 79 to come in at 164 and defeat runner-up Madalynn Lee by a stroke. Lee had a final round 82.

Third place went to Cathy Zhang at 166, Elizabeth Lenton was fourth at 168 and Sohini Pillay and Elizabeth Liu were T-5 at 172.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the Summer Series II Championship, set for June 17-18 at Poppy Ridge.