JTNC News

JTNC Alum Noah Norton at the U.S. Open

Jun 13, 2019Comments Off on JTNC Alum Noah Norton at the U.S. OpenFeatured

It didn’t go exactly the way he wanted it to. Still, Junior Tour of Northern California alum Noah Norton was doing something over 9,000 players had hoped to do—play in this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Norton, a native of Chico, opened with a disappointing 9-over 80 in Thursday’s first round.

But he was still competing. Approximately 9,100 players entered qualifying for the championship. Only 15 amateurs made it into the 156-man field. Norton being one of them.

“It’s tough. It beat me up,” said Norton, who still managed to sneak in a bit of a smile. “It was a good learning experience. I know what I have to work on.”

While it’s not the equivalent of a U.S. Open, Norton has been in a pressure cooker before. In 2016, he reached the finals of the California Amateur at Olympic Club before losing to P.J. Samiere.

“You want to learn from each of your experiences. It’s all preparation, about getting better and better,” Norton said. “I just played poorly.”

Norton can fall back on some strong support. As it was at the Cal Am, he again has a strong contingent of family and friends rooting him on, including his mom and dad.

“There’s so many friends here I can’t even count,” Norton said. “Playing Pebble in the U.S. Open. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

What Junior Golfers Really Think About the College Recruiting Process

Mar 8, 2019Comments Off on What Junior Golfers Really Think About the College Recruiting ProcessOn the Range

At the 2018 National Golf Coaches Convention in Las Vegas, I spent a lot of speaking to coaches about the recruiting process. Based on the feedback, I decided to do something a little different; look at the recruitment process from the perspective of the junior golfer. With the feedback I collected I created a 10-question survey with some interesting questions. Then with the help of the Junior Tour of Northern California (THANK YOU!), collected response from 57 junior golfers. Here are the questions and what I found:

Q1: What percent more would a mid-major school have to offer you for you to turn down an offer from a major conference school like UCLA, Stanford or University of Florida?

Average Answer: 62 percent

Q2: How many times does a coach have to watch you play 9 holes for you to feel like they are REALLY interested?

Average Answer: 8

Q3: How many college teams do you follow on social media?

Average Answer: 7

Q4: Would you commit to a school without meeting the coaches or team and touring the facilities?

Answer: 16 percent – YES  84 percent – NO

Q5: Would you prefer: A better coach, a better facility or a better team travel schedule?

Answer:

58 percent: better Coach
25 percent: Better Facility
17 percent: Better Travel Schedule

Q6: Would you pay to attend a one-day camp to interact with a coach of a school you are interested in?

82 percent – Yes
18 percent – No

Q7: What is the perfect age to make a commitment to play college golf?

Average Answer: 16 years old

We also asked players, what do you like most to see on social media from a college team? Since the question was qualitative, we got a range of answers but, in general, respondents wanted to see the team having fun/bonding/what the players are about, as well as the scores of the players (both in qualifying and tournaments).

Obviously, the average responses don’t necessarily tell the whole story. When looking closer at the numbers for example, I found that:

  • 70 percent of players indicated that if a coach watches them 2-4 times, they know they are very interested
  • 10 percent of players expected a coach to watch them 10 or more times to be very interested
  • 30 percent of players follow 1 or less team on social media while only 10% follow more than 25

For me, the most notable take-aways from the survey were the fact that junior golfers put the biggest priority on the coach, over facilities and scheduling by a significant margin. While building facilities are important, Athletic Directors should balance the investment in facilities with bigger investments in coaches.

It was also shocking that 14 percent of junior golfers would commit to a school without visiting the campus? Speaking to coaches at the convention, our guesses were that this number would be very close to zero, however clearly, I was wrong.

Let’s hear from you, what are the questions you want to see in the next survey? Any of the results from this survey shock you? Please comment below!

Qualifying Series for NCGA Junior Championship Returns

Feb 21, 2019Comments Off on Qualifying Series for NCGA Junior Championship ReturnsFeatured

Qualifying Series for NCGA Junior Championship Returns

February 21, 2019

An alternative route for players to earn a spot into the prestigious NCGA Junior Championship is back in 2019.

As was the case last year, the entire Spring Series will count as a qualifying series. What that means is that, for every Spring Series championship (Spring I-Spring VII), the top three finishers inside the Top 10 who are not already exempt into the NCGA Junior Championship will earn an exemption.

“Its an exciting way to get more of our best players into the NCGA Junior Championship,” said JTNC Director Aaron Hartesveldt.

Players will be notified if they have earned a spot in the NCGA Junior following the conclusion of each Spring Series event. The Spring Series starts with the Spring Series I at Stockton Country Club and Elkhorn Golf Club (March 16-17).

This year’s 90th NCGA Junior Championship will be held at Green Hills CC in Millbrae.

Last year’s NCGA Junior champs were Ryan Meyer and Gia Feliciano.

Yealimi Noh Turns Professional

Feb 14, 2019Comments Off on Yealimi Noh Turns ProfessionalFeatured

Yealimi Noh Turns Professional

February 13, 2019

Concord resident and former JTNC star Yealimi Noh has made it official. She has turned professional.

Noh, the winner of last year’s U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at Poppy Hils GC, announced the move via social media. Among Noh’s accomplishments on the JTNC are 19 wins, second only to all-time leader Sabrina Iqbal (26). Noh also has the third most JTNC victories in a season (five), which she accomplished during the 2016-2017 campaign.

Excited for this new journey as a professional golfer. ⛳🏆 pic.twitter.com/kYpGUphswy — Yealimi Noh (@YealimiNoh) February 13, 2019

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Erik Stone, Noh’s Alameda-based coach, said she already has played at least one event on the Korean LPGA Tour and another on the Cactus Tour in Arizona. Noh tied for eighth in the tournament in Litchfield Park, Ariz., on Feb. 4-6.

-NCGA Staff

Ellie Mae Classic Qualifier – Poppy Ridge GC

Dec 4, 2018Comments Off on Ellie Mae Classic Qualifier – Poppy Ridge GCPast Results, Tournaments

The winner of this event will earn a full sponsors exemption into the PGA’s Web.Com Tour 2019 Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrea.  This event is open to boys with an index of 4.0 or less who are active JTNC members.

 

Please use the following link for all tournament information and pairings.

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5398837159094430822

June 27, 2019

 

Reno resident Ian Gilligan will get a chance to tee it up with the pros at this year’s Korn Ferry Tour Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae in Hayward.

Gilligan, a cancer survivor, shot a medalist-earning 4-under in Thursday’s JTNC Ellie Mae qualifier held at par-72 Poppy Ridge GC in Livermore. The 16-year-old posted six birdies to go against just two bogeys. On the back-nine, Gilligan carded a solid 32 that included back-to-back birdies on holes No.11 and No12.

Joseph Hayden of Dublin was second at 70.

This year’s Ellie Mae Classic, which has featured Warriors star Steph Curry in the field in recent years, will tee off July 29-Aug. 4.

Holiday Series III – Poppy Hills & Del Monte GC

Nov 29, 2018Comments Off on Holiday Series III – Poppy Hills & Del Monte GCPast Results, Tournaments

Access NCGA GO for the hotel rates in the area!

 

We have a room block and a very good rate at the Hyatt by Del Monte Golf Course.  Follow the link for reservations.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/MRYDM/G-NCC1

 

Holiday Series III Parings and Results

CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Holiday Series III Championship at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (December 30, 2019) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Saturday at the Holiday Series III Championship at Del Monte Golf Course and Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Geoffrey Jing shot 1-over par 144 and Shayna Lu shot 10-over 153 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday Series III Championship held Friday and Saturday at par-72 Del Monte GC and par-71 Poppy Hills.

Jing captured his first win of the season thanks to solid play both rounds. On Friday, he’d card seven birdies at Del Monte en route to a 2-under 70.

A day later at Poppy Hills, Jing posted 13 pars, helping him defeat co-runners-ups Baron Szeto and Logan Kim by a stroke. Szeto had a second round 72 and had a chance to tie for the lead but finished with a bogey. He’d earn second place in a card-off. Kim made a charge with a final round 69.

Fourth place went to Michael Burry at 146 after a final round 75. Sam Sommerhauser was fifth at 147.

 

In the Girls’ Championship, Lu also picked up her first win of the season thanks to steady play. She’d card rounds of 74-79 with a hole-out eagle on the par-4 12th at Poppy Hills to defeat runner-up Kiara Romero by three shots.

Romero had a final round 76 to finish at 156. Third place went to Claire Chen at 158.

Sophie Thai claimed fourth place at 159 and Varnika Achanta took fifth at 160.

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Trevor Moquin shot a final round 79 to come in at 156 and defeat co-runners-up Alexander Kao and Thomas Molumphy by three strokes. Kao earned second place in a card-off.

Fourth place went to Jonathan Chen at 160. Christopher Pantaleon, Easton Hether and Ryan Nix all finished T-5 at 161.

 

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Cathy Zhang shot a final round 77 to come in at 153 and defeat co-runners-ups Gianna Singh and Lily Peng by 13 shots. Singh earned second place in a card-off.

Fourth place went to Allison Yang at 167. Yang had the shot of the event, carding an ace on the par-3 12th at Del Monte. Katie Burson was fifth at 168.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the annual Challenge Cup, to be held Jan. 3-4 at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Holiday Series II – Morro Bay GC

Nov 28, 2018Comments Off on Holiday Series II – Morro Bay GCPast Results, Tournaments

Access NCGA GO for the hotel rates in the area!

Click below for all tournament information, pairings and results.

Holiday Series II at Morro Bay GC 

Please note: Pairings will be live on Wednesday Nov. 27th. 

CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Holiday Series II Championship at Morro Bay Golf Course in Morro Bay

 PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (December 9, 2019) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Holiday Series II Championship at Morro Bay Golf Course in Morro Bay.

Adam Duncan shot 4-over par 146 and Andrea Gomez shot 8-over 150 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday Series II Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-71 Morro Bay GC.

Boys’ Championship winner Adam Duncan, runner-up Kurtis Rodriguez and third place finisher Caleb Barstad (left to right)

Duncan captured his first win of the season thanks to solid play both rounds. He’d shoot 72-74, with two birdies in the opening round and one in the final round.

His clutch play helped him defeat runner-up Kurtis Rodriguez by three strokes. Rodriguez tried to make a Sunday charge with a final round 72.

Third place went to Caleb Barstad at 154, while Chad Flory was fourth at 155. Fifth place went to Sebastian Sandergaard at 156.

Girls’ Championship winner Andrea Gomez, runner-up Selena Tang and third place finisher Sophie Thai (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Gomez notched her second win of the season thanks to solid play.

Also the winner of the Fall Series V Championship, Gomez had rounds of 72-74 to defeat runner-up Selena Tang by four shots. Tang had a final round 77.

Sophie Thai and Clarie Alford finished T-3 at 154. Thai would earn third place in a card-off. Emily Luo and Naomi Danner tied for fifth at 159.

Boys’ First Flight winner Ayden Fynaut, runner-up Cooper Groshart and third place finisher Jonathen Chen (left to right)

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Ayden Fynaut shot a final round 76 to come in at 151 and defeat runner-up Cooper Groshart by three strokes. Groshart had a final round 73.

Jonathan Chen was third at 155, Zackery Tarter was fourth at 158 and Jack Whitaker was fifth at 161.

Girls’ First Flight winner Bella Gunasayan, runner-up Gianna Singh and third place finisher Katie Burson (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Bella Gunasayan had a final round 79 to come in at 159 and defeat runner-up Gianna Singh by a stroke. Singh had a final round 83.

Katie Burson was third at 163, Millie Wang was fourth at 171 and Esther Sheu was fifth at 179.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the Holiday Series III Championship, to be held Dec. 27-28 at Poppy Hills Golf Course and Del Monte Golf Course.

Holiday Series I – Del Monte GC

Nov 28, 2018Comments Off on Holiday Series I – Del Monte GCPast Results, Tournaments

Access NCGA GO for the hotel rates in the area!

 

Access the following link for pairings and all tournament information.

Holiday Series I at Del Monte

Please Note: Pairings will be available Friday Nov. 15th. 

CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Holiday Series I Championship at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey

 PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (December 2, 2019) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Tuesday at the Holiday Series I Championship at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey.

Kurtis Rodriguez shot 1-over par 145 and Selena Tang shot 7-over 151 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday Series I Championship held Monday and Tuesday at par-72 Del Monte GC.

Boys’ Championship winner Kurtis Rodriguez, runner-up Joseph Hayden and third place finisher James Watney (left to right)

Rodriguez notched his first victory of the season thanks in part to a great second round 3-under 69 that featured five birdies and just two bogeys.

In the first round, Rodriguez posted a 76. He’d win by two shots over runner-up Joseph Hayden, who came in at 147 after a final round 73.

Drew Kim and James Watney finished tied for third at 150 after final rounds of 77 and 74, respectively. Watney would earn third place in a card-off. Jacob Ponce was fifth at 151.

Girls’ Championship winner Selena Tang, runner-up Andrea Gomez and third place finisher Emily Hou (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Tang also captured her first title of the year thanks to solid play both rounds.

Tang opened with a 76 and followed that up with a 75. She’d card six birdies over her 36 holes.

Andrea Gomez was second at 155 after a final round 77. Emily Hou placed third at 159 after a 75.

Madison Pineda took fourth at 161, while Emily Luo placed fifth at 162.

Boys’ First Flight winner Easton Hether, runner-up Charlie Farrell and third place finisher Jack Hayden (left to right)

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Easton Hether shot a final round 84 to come in at 163 and defeat runner-up Charlie Farrell by a shot. Farrell had a final round 79.

Jack Hayden was third at 165. Alexander Suen was fourth at 166 and Arnold He was fifth at 169.

Girls’ First Flight winner Lily Peng and runner-up Rachel Truong (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Lily Peng shot a final round 77 to come in at 157 and defeat runner-up Rachel Truong by a stroke. Truong had a final round 78.

Maya Dela Rama, Kate Burson and Allison Yang tied for third at 168. Dela Rama earned third place following a card-off.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the Holiday Series II Championship, to be held Dec. 7-8 at Morro Bay Golf Course in Morro Bay.

Fall Series IX – Poppy Ridge GC

Nov 28, 2018Comments Off on Fall Series IX – Poppy Ridge GCPast Results, Tournaments

Access NCGA GO for the hotel rates in the area!

 

Fall Series IX Pairings, Results and Tournament Information

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

 PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (October 21, 2019) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Fall Series IX Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.

Sam Sommerhauser shot 10-under par 134 and Ashley Knepshield shot 3-over 147 to win their respective divisions at the Fall Series IX Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Poppy Ridge.

Boys’ Championship winner Sam Sommerhauser, runner-up Ian Gilligan and third place finisher Justin Hopkins (left to right)

Sommerhauser notched his second victory of the season thanks to great play both days. He’d open with a 3-under 69 that featured seven birdies. A day later, he went even lower, posting a 65 with seven birdies and no bogeys.

His two-day total of 10-under 134 is tied for third for the lowest 36-hole total in JTNC history. Ian Gilligan was second at 140 after back-to-back rounds of 70.

Justin Hopkins and Paramdeep Sodhi tied for third at 141. Hopkins earned third place in a card-off. Gregory Lee and Chanhee Ryu tied for fifth at 153.

Girls’ Championship winner Ashley Knepshield, runner-up Gia Feliciano and third place finisher Charlotte Ryoo (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Knepshield grabbed her first win of the season thanks to solid play each round.

In Saturday’s opener, she shot a 75. A day later, she posted five birdies en route to a 72.

Gia Feliciano was runner-up at 149 after a final round 74. Charlotte Ryoo was third at 152.

Darla May Dela Torre took fourth at 153, while Vani Karimanal was fifth at 154.

Boys’ First Flight winner Edan Cui, runner-up Jayden Lizama and third place finisher Alexander Guan (left to right)

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Edan Cui shot a final round 73 to come in at 143 and defeat runner-up Jayden Lizama by three shots. Lizama had a final round 75.

Alexander Guan was third at 149, while Ian Vodopich was fourth at 152. Ishdeep Sodhi and Ray Zhang tied for fifth at 153.

Girls’ First Flight winner Abigail Lin, runner-up Cathy Zhang and third place finisher Netra Kumar (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Abigail Lin shot a final round 75 to come in at 154 and defeat runner-up Cathy Zhang by two shots. Zhang had a final round 74.

Third place went to Netra Kumar at 158. Norah Yang was fourth at 159 and Lily Peng was fifth at 160.

The shot of the tournament came from Jayden Lizama, who aced the par-3 171-yard 3rd hole on the Chardonnay course.

The event concluded the Fall Series portion of the season. The next event on the JTNC calendar is the Holiday Series I Championship, to be held Nov. 25-26 at Del Monte GC in Monterey.

 

Fall Series VIII – Baylands Golf Links

Nov 28, 2018Comments Off on Fall Series VIII – Baylands Golf LinksPast Results, Tournaments

Access NCGA GO for the hotel rates in the area!

Click below for all tournament information, pairings and results.

Fall Series VIII at Baylands Golf Links

Please note: Pairings will be live on Monday Oct. 7th. 

CIG-Sponsored Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Fall Series VIII Championship at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (October 10, 2019) – Sponsored by Capital Insurance Group, the 2019-2020 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Sunday at the Fall Series VIII Championship at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto.

Baron Szeto shot 3-under par 141 and Sophie Zhang-Murphy shot 5-over 149 to win their respective divisions at the Fall Series VIII Championship held Saturday and Sunday at par-72 Baylands Golf Links.

Boys’ Championship winner Baron Szeto, runner-up Jeremy Yun and third place finisher Jacob Ponce (left to right)

Szeto captured his first event of the season thanks to a clutch birdie on the par-5 18th hole on Sunday. A day earlier, Szeto had eagled the hole.

In Saturday’s opener, Szeto also four birdies. In Sunday’s finale, he was propelled by a back-nine 34 that included yet another birdie.

Three players—Jacob Ponce, Collin Yee, and Jeremy Yun—all came in tied for second at 142. Yun, who had a final round 70, earned second place following a card-off.

Ponce, who opened with a 68, earned third place over Yee after a card-off. Three players—Calton Kang, Akira Isayama and Krishan Patel—finished T-5 at 144.

Girls’ Championship winner Sophie Zhang-Murphy, runner-up Linette Jun and third place finisher Selena Tang (left to right)

In the Girls’ Championship, Zhang-Murphy also got her first win of the season in a thriller.

Zhang-Murphy made par on seven of her last eight holes to come in with a final round 73, good enough to hold off runner-up Linette Jun by a stroke.

Over her two rounds, Zhang-Murphy had five birdies and an eagle.

Jun made a charge into second place after carding a second-round 72. She eagled the par-5 3rd on Sunday to help make things tight.

Selena Tang and Madison Pineda finished T-3 at 151 after rounds of 76 and 78, respectively. Tang was award third place in a card-off.

Fifth place went to Vani Karimanal at 152.

Boys’ First Flight winner Alexander Suen, runner-up Joshua Wang and third place finisher Alexander Guan (left to right)

In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Alexander Suen shot a final round 79 to come in at 154 and defeat runner-up Joshua Wang by a shot. Wang had a final round 79 as well.

Third place went to Alexander Guan at 156. Ray Zhang was fourth at 158. Arnold He, Paolo Castaneda, and Will Ellard were fifth at 159.

Girls’ First Flight winner Norah Yang, runner-up Lily Peng and third place finisher Gianna Singh (left to right)

In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Norah Yang shot a final round 76 to come in at 155 and defeat co-runners-up Lily Peng and Gianna Singh by six shots. Peng, who was awarded second place in a card-off, had a final round 76. Singh had an 82.

Cathy Zhang and Emma Wang finished T-4 at 162.

The next event on the JTNC calendar is the Fall Series IX Championship, to be held Oct. 19-20 at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.

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