JTNC News

Annual Challenge Cup Set to Return to Poppy Hills Jan. 3-4

Dec 5, 2016Comments Off on Annual Challenge Cup Set to Return to Poppy Hills Jan. 3-4Featured

December 5, 2016

It’s the North vs. the South again.

A year after the South’s inaugural victory, the second annual Challenge Cup is set to tee off at Poppy Hills GC on January 3-4.

What’s the Challenge Cup? It’s 12 members of the CIG-sponsored Junior Tour of Northern California taking on 12 players from the Southern California Junior Tour in a Ryder Cup-like format.

It’s some of the best juniors in the Golden State all at one place. And for the players, it’s a blast.

At last year’s Cup, players raved about the event for a number of reasons including the camaraderie and format. The concept of the event began a few years ago when former NCGA executive director Vaughn Kezirian got the idea of bringing all of California’s best juniors together.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Sabrina Iqbal

“We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” said 2015 JTNC Team member Yoonhee Kim. “It’s fun playing with partners. We don’t get to do that very often.”

Representing the JTNC will be the top six boys and top three girls in the points standings as of the Fall Series IX Championship which took place Oct. 22-23 at Bidwell Park GC. Two boys and one girl were also added to the team as chosen by the JTNC committee.

Play on Tuesday the 3rd will consist of nine holes of Foursomes and nine holes of Four-Ball. Wednesday’s final round will consist of Singles matches.

“We’re excited to have the second Challenge Cup. Last year went really well,” said JTNC director Aaron Hartesveldt. “This is an important event in regards to California junior golf.”

The eight boys who’ll tee it up for the JTNC are:

  • Thomas Hutchison—The defending JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year is off to another great start. He’d set a JTNC record by winning the Fall Series II, III and IV titles in succession.
  • Ashkaan Hakim—Winner of the recent AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic, Hakim grabbed the title at the Fall Series VIII Championship.
  • Brian Stark—Along with winning the title at the Fall Series V Championship, Stark also won the AJGA Junior All-Star at Morango.
  • Justin Gums—Gums had it going in October. He’d win the Fall Series VII Championship and was runner-up at the Fall Series VI Championship.
  • Ethan Chung—During the fall, Chung was always in the hunt. He’d rack up six Top 10 finishes, finishing T-4 at both the Fall Series V and IX Championships.
  • Ryan Grauman—Grauman has been solid in three JTNC appearances this season. He’d finish T-2 at the Fall Series VII and was third at the Fall Series III Championship.
  • Ryan Burnett—Burnett won the 2016 JTNC Tour Championship at Poppy Hills and qualified for the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur.
  • Jeremy Villafuerte—Villafuerte was the only JTNC player to reach the Round of 16 at this year’s NCGA Amateur Match Play Championship. He also finished T-3 at the Fall Series VIII Championship.

The four JTNC girls will be:

  • Sabrina Iqbal—The record three-time defending JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year continues to be a dominating force. This season she has three wins and four runner-up finishes.
  • Yealimi Noh—Noh has had a spectacular fall, collecting three JTNC wins and a victory at the NCGA/CIF NorCal Girls’ Championship. The victories have moved her to third on the all-time JTNC wins list.
  • Bibilani Liu—Liu has had a solid fall, collecting four Top 10 finishes. She’d finish tied for second at the Fall Series III Championship.
  • Sienna Lyford—Lyford has been stellar in her three appearances this fall. Along with a win at the Fall Series VII, she’d finish T-2 at the Fall Series IV Championship.

 

 

Team California Wins PGA Junior League National Championship

Nov 29, 2016Comments Off on Team California Wins PGA Junior League National ChampionshipFeatured

November 28, 2016

The junior All-Stars from Las Positas Golf Course in Livermore have done it again.

Playing as Team California, the All-Stars from Las Positas captured the 2016 PGA Junior League Golf National Championship, defeating Team Georgia 8-4 on Nov. 21 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Arizona.

Team California, which featured a number of regulars on the Junior Tour of Northern California, clinched the title when Alice Liu sank a 3-foot birdie putt on the 12th hole. Team California had built a 3 point lead through the first three holes of the match.

“When I was setting up to the ball, I just wanted to make it,” Liu said. “When everyone started jumping and cheering, that’s when I realized it was the winning putt.”

It’s the second PGA Junior League National Championship title for Las Positas, who also captured the title in 2012.

“These kids fight,” said Team California Captain Jeff DeBenedetti, PGA Director of Golf at Las Positas. “They grind. They go after it.”

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Cheers of “Go Las Po!” rang throughout the course all morning from the families of Team California. “They heard the cheering, and they kept going because they knew it was for them. It was fun to watch,” said DeBenedetti.

Team California’s two girls on the squad of 10 players—Madison Wu, 13, who fought off an illness and returned to compete in the National Championship, and Liu— shined throughout the competition, with both girls making key putts in match after match.

Drew Kim, 13—who sent Team California to the 2016 National Championship after sinking a make-or-break clinching putt during the PGA Junior League Golf Western Regional at Chambers Bay in September—played on the 2012 team at age 9. By the age of 13, he already has two national championships to his name.

“Drew has always been a solid player,” said DeBenedetti. “Drew’s golf age is about four-to-five years older than his actual age. He’s a competitor. It’s great for him to work for four years, and get back.”

Teams in the league were comprised of 80 top junior players from across America, each winning their Regional competition to advance to the PGA Junior League Golf National Championship presented by National Car Rental. A record 36,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Junior League Golf in 2016.

Here’s your 2016 National Champion Team California Roster

  • Captain: Jeff DeBenedetti, PGA
  • Coach: Becky Chin, LPGA
  • Ian Gilligan, 13 – Corte Madera
  • Darren Pang, 13 – San Ramon
  • Drew Kim, 13 – Pleasanton
  • Anay Roge, 14 – San Ramon
  • Aidan Tran, 12 – Fresno
  • Ethan Jaehn, 12 – Fremont
  • Jacob Ponce, 12 – San Ramon
  • Austin Tran, 14 – Fresno
  • Alice Liu, 12 – Pleasanton
  • Madison Wu, 13 – Dublin

 

JTNC Has Been a Force at The First Tee Open

Sep 2, 2016Comments Off on JTNC Has Been a Force at The First Tee OpenFeatured

If you’re looking for a favorite in the Pro-Junior portion of the upcoming First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills, you can start with someone from the Junior Tour of Northern California.

In the last few years, the JTNC has been a force to be reckoned with at the First Tee Open, which tees off Sept.13-18.

At the 2011 First Tee Open, then-JT NC member Casie Cathrea won the Pro-Junior portion of the First Tee Open playing with Ben Crenshaw. Two years later at the 2013 First Tee Open, then-JTNC member Michelle Xie of Palo Alto won the Pro-Junior with professional partner Kirk Triplett.

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In 2014, JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year Joshua McCarthy and pro partner Peter Senior appeared to be a lock to win the title. He’d have to settle for runner-up, however, when  The First Tee of Tucson member Christopher Meyers pulled off one of the greatest shots on the historic 18th hole at Pebble Beach—a double-eagle from 203 yards out—to give him and pro partner Lee Janzen the victory.

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

At last year’s First Tee Open, it was JTNC member Jack Avrit’s turn at the top. Avrit would win playing with pro partner Mark O’Meara, who’s also known as the “Prince of Pebble Beach” due to having won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am a record five times.

When this year’s First Tee Open gets underway, another eight JTNC members will have a chance at hoisting a trophy at Pebble Beach. Here’s the eight JTNC players in this year’s field:

  • Emily Dixon (First Tee of Greater Sacramento)
  • Cathering Batang (First Tee of San Francisco)
  • Isabelle Castro (First Tee of Silicon Valley)
  • Neeve Chen (First Tee of Greater Sacramento)
  • Misa Church (First Tee of Contra Costa)
  • Beah Cruz (First Tee of Greater Sacramento)
  • Grant Leppek (First Tee of Greater Sacramento)
  • Madeline Zunino (First Tee of San Joaquin)

Challenge Cup

Aug 19, 2016Comments Off on Challenge CupCurrent Year, Past Results, Tournaments

Pebble Beach, CA
January 3-4, 2017

**Live Scoring**

Singles Match Play Pairings

Four-Ball & Foursome Pairings

Yardages

January 4, 2017

Junior Tour of Northern California

It was the North’s turn to relish a win.

A year after the PGA Southern California Junior Tour won the inaugural Challenge Cup, the Junior Tour of Northern California North squad got a taste of victory, defeating their counteraprts from the Southland, 15-9, following the conclusion of Wednesday’s Singles matches at par-71 Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

Having entered the finale holding a comfy 8-4 lead, the North squad maintained its four point cushion early on when three-time JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year Sabrina Iqbal and fellow sensation Yealimi Noh picked up wins of 5 and 4 and 7 and 6, respectively to offset a pair of South victories by Rose Zhang (6 and 4) and Amari Avery (1-up).

The following four Singles matches, which saw the Boys’ teeing off, also were split, with defending JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year Thomas Hutchison (4 and 3) and Jeremy Villafuerte (7 and 5) grabbing big wins. On the South side, Roy Choi won his match 3 and 2, while Ray Navis snared a 4 and 2 victory.

Junior Tour of Northern California

The North side put things away with wins in three of the final four matches: Brian Stark (1-up), Ryan Burnett (3 and 2) and Justin Gums (1-up).

While it was another day of fun for all, the North was also out to even the score.

“We wanted to win it this time,” said North team member Ashkaan Hakim, who split his Foursomes and Fourball matches on Tuesday. “We have fun but we also want to win. In the end, we’re all competitors.”

North team captain Aaron Hartesveldt said the event went well and is only growing in popularity. Wednesday’s action somehow managed to mostly stay dry. During both days of the Cup, there were also a number of college coaches, including some from UCLA, University of Oregon, Cal, Stanford and New Mexico State, watching the action with eyes on potential future talent.

“It was another great event, and we were able to avoid the weather. The North played really solid throughoput and played even better when it really counted,” Hartesveldt said. “We’re already looking forward to meeting our friends from the South team again in the next Cup.”

Junior Tour of Northern California

January 3, 2017

challenge

The cold and blustery weather at Poppy Hills Golf Course on Tuesday didn’t seem to bother any of the players. That can happen when they’re teeing it up in what has become the annual Challenge Cup.

A year after the South won the inaugural event, eight boys and four girls representing the Junior Tour of Northern California looked to even the score against their counterparts from the PGA Southern California Junior Tour.

In what could be called an All-Star clash of some of the best junior golfers in the Golden State, the North has the early advantage this time around, as the JTNC squad took an 8-4 lead following opening (9-hole) Foursomes and Fourball play. After the early morning Fourball matches, things were all knotted up at 3 points apiece. In the latter Foursomes matches, however, the North was dominant, winning five of the six matches. Among those getting big wins for the North were the tandem of Yealimi Noh/Sabrina Iqbal (4 and 3) and the team of Thomas Hutchison/Ryan Burnett (2-up).

As the players will tell you, the Challenge Cup has quickly become one of their most anticipated events, no matter if the temperatures feel like they’re in Minnesota. Why? For one, it’s a rare chance for the juniors to compete as a team. It’s also a rare opportunity for them to compete in match play.

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“It’s my favorite event of the year. You get both team play and match play, and we don’t get to do that very often,” Burnett said. “I like match play more than stroke play. It’s more fun and interesting. In 9-hole match play, things are really up for grabs. Anything can happen. It makes it more fun.”

The changes from normal junior tournament play also has brought out some important spectators. A slew of college coaches, including some from UCLA, University of Oregon, Cal, Stanford and New Mexico State, watched the action with eyes toward the future.

“It’s unique because at this event we get to seem them in a team competition,” said UCLA assistant men’s coach Andrew Larkin.

“We look for tournaments with multiple players in this kind of environment, where they’re playing as a team,” said University of Oregon men’s head coach Casey Martin, who knows a thing about talent, having competed on the PGA Tour. “A lot of coaches from a lot schools made it here for a reason.”

Play in the second Challenge Cup continues Wednesday morning at Poppy Hills with Singles matches.

Photo Gallery

 

Lucy Li WIns 41st PGA Junior Championship

Aug 12, 2016Comments Off on Lucy Li WIns 41st PGA Junior ChampionshipFeatured

August 12, 2016

Redwood Shores resident and JTNC member Lucy Li claimed the title at the 41st annual PGA Junior Championship at Wannamoisett Country Club.

Li had a final round 2-under 69 to finish with a three-day total of 7-under 206, good enough for a two shot win over co-runner-ups Alyaa Abdulghany and Mariel Galdiano.

”I didn’t think I played all that good, but it was really windy today, and that made it tough,” Li said. ”I am used to playing the in the wind, so that might have been an advantage for me.”

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Abdulghany, who won the 2015 CIF Girls’ State Championship at Poppy Hills with a then-record score of 2-under 69, came in at 208 after a final round 70. Galdiano, the third round leader. slipped to a final round 77.

In 2014 at the age of 11, Li became the youngest player to ever qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open.

Sabrina Iqbal of San Jose, who recently claimed her third straight JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year crown, finished T-8 at 212 after a 72.

In the Boys’ Championship, the best NorCal finish came from Brendon Hy, who came in T-13 at 283.

Thomas Hutchison, Sabrina Iqbal 2016 Players of Year

Aug 3, 2016Comments Off on Thomas Hutchison, Sabrina Iqbal 2016 Players of YearFeatured

August 3, 2016

2016 Junior Tour of Northern California Players of the Year

Fellow San Jose residents and Pioneer High teammates Thomas Hutchison and Sabrina Iqbal Win Titles

2016 Boys’ Player of the Year

San Jose resident Thomas Hutchison knows all about 2011 Junior Tour Player of the Year Bryson DeChambeau. He also saw that two-time Player of the Year Justin Suh (2013, 2015) had played in this year’s U.S Open and that 2014 Player of the Year Joshua McCarthy had teed it up at the recent Web.com Tour Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae.

Now, Hutchison hopes his title also leads to bigger things.

A 16-year-old senior at Pioneer High in San Jose, Hutchison captured the 2015-2016 JTNC Boys’ Player of the Year title by finishing the season with 2,518 points. Finishing in second place at 2,103 was Alamo’s Ryan Grauman, while McCarthy, in his last season, was third at 1,991.

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“Just to know that my name will be with those guys, it gives me a lot of confidence,” said Hutchison, who has already verbally committed to UC Davis.

Hutchison, who was introduced to the game by his father, David, and later honed his skills as a Santa Teresa Youth on Course member, tallied three JTNC wins during the season: Fall Series III, Spring Series V and Spring Series VI. The back-to-back Spring victories tied a JTNC record for most wins in a row held by six other players. The three victories tied the JTNC record for most wins in one season (held by four other players).

His biggest win came at July’s NCGA Junior Championship at Half Moon Bay GL, where he earned 650 points and joined his older sister, Samantha, as winners of the event. The two became the first siblings to win the championship in its 87-year-history. Other highlights were back-to-back second place finishes at the Summer Series III and IV Championships and a T-3 finish at the season-ending Tour Championship.

“I feel like I started playing better in the spring. It was just a matter of a lot of practice,” Hutchison said. “I’m already looking ahead to winning Player of the Year again.”

2016 Girls’ Player of the Year

San Jose resident Sabrina Iqbal had a few targets to aim at. For one, Iqbal, already the two-time defending JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year, knew that no player had ever won three titles in a row.

There was also the matter of catching former JTNC standout Casie Cathrea for most junior NorCal “major” wins—JTNC titles, CIF High School State Championship, California Women’s Amateur Championship Junior, NCGA Junior Girls’ and NCGA/CIF NorCal Championship.

The still only 15 year old Iqbal, a junior at Pioneer High, did both.

“I knew that no one had won three in a row,” said Iqbal, who tied Cathrea (2010, 2011, 2013) for most JTNC Girls’ Player of the Year titles. “That’s why I really wanted to win it again this year.”

Already verbally committed to Texas Christian University, Iqbal had yet another season to remember. She’d win her third straight crown with a whopping total of 5,003 points. Finishing in second place at 3,924 was San Ramon’s Yoonhee Kim. Third place went to Concord’s Yealimi Noh with 2,565 points.

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In another dazzling performance, Iqbal captured four JTNC titles—Fall Series IX, Spring Series V, Summer Series IV and the Tour Championship. Other victories included the NCGA Junior Championship, the California Women’s Amateur Championship, the San Francisco City Women’s Amateur, the Sacramento County Women’s Championship and the CIF/NCGA NorCal High School Championship.

All of the wins moved Iqbal to a total of 21 NorCal “major” victories. Cathrea had been the all-time leader with 18.

During the season, Iqbal also had five runner-up finishes: JTNC Fall Series I, Fall Series III, Fall Series IV, Spring Series VII and Summer Series III.

“I feel like, whenever I’m having a good round, that I want to be at that level every time,” said Iqbal, who picked up the game from her father, Shaheen, a PGA teaching professional at Los Lagos GC and later honed her skills as a Santa Teresa Youth on Course member. “When I do play bad, I want to work on fixing things. There’s nothing else you can do.”

 

 

A Lot Riding at Next Week’s Junior Tour of Northern California Tour Championship

Jul 27, 2016Comments Off on A Lot Riding at Next Week’s Junior Tour of Northern California Tour ChampionshipFeatured

July 27, 2016

What’s been an historic and memorable 2015-2016 Junior Tour of Northern California season culminates Monday and Tuesday with the Tour Championship at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

So who’s going to end up earning Boys’ and Girls’ Player of the Year honors? Well, we’re about to find out.

On the Boys’ front, recent NCGA Junior Championship winner Thomas Hutchison of San Jose will head into the championship leading in the points race at 2,293.

Ryan Grauman of Alamo is at 2,103, 2014 Player of the Year Joshua McCarthy is at 1,991 and Ahmed Ali of Palo Alto is at 1,842.

The JTNC Tour Championship is worth 500 points, so both Grauman and Ali will have a chance to pass Hutchison. McCarthy will not, since he recently turned 19 and is not eligible to compete in anymore events.

In the Girls’ division, meanwhile, it’s down to two familiar names.

Two-time defending champion Sabrina Iqbal of San Jose leads with 4,063 points. In second place is Yoonhee Kim of San Ramon at 3,549.

Again, the Girls’ Tour Championship is worth 500 points, so with a win, it’s possible that Kim could pass Iqbal. A lot in the Girls’ race will, however, also be determined by results from this week’s annual California Women’s Amateur Championship, which concludes on Saturday at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Should Iqbal finish better than Kim at the CWAC, she’ll more than likely have locked up a record third straight Player of the Year crown. Should Kim play well at the CWAC, the Tour Championship will decide Player of the Year honors.

Junior Tour of Northern California

Sabrina Iqbal

Not surprisingly, there’ll also be more history on the line at the Tour Championship.

With a win, Grauman, Ali or Hutchison would set a JTNC record for most wins in a season (four). The trio all have three wins this season, which tied the previous mark set by Alexander Lee and Joshua McCarthy during the 2013-2014 season.

Over on the Girls’ side, with another win Iqbal would add to her record total (20) for most NorCal Junior Girls’ “major” victories (JTNC wins, CIF High School State Championship, CWAC Junior, NCGA Junior, NCGA/CIF NorCal Championship). Just recently, Iqbal eclipsed the previous record of 18 career wins, held by former junior standout Casie Cathrea.

Others looking to add to their career win totals will be Kim and Concord’s Yealimi Noh, who are both at nine.

Should Kim win, she’d also finish with seven victories this season, which would be the second-most ever. Iqbal set the record for most wins in a season with eight in 2013-2014. An Iqbal victory, meanwhile, would be her fifth of the season—third most all-time.

87th NCGA Junior Championship

Jul 13, 2016Comments Off on 87th NCGA Junior ChampionshipFeatured

July 12, 2016

Hutch

Overall champion Thomas Hutchison

San Jose residents and schoolmates Thomas Hutchison and Sabrina picked up wins and etched their names into the history books.

Hutchison shot a final round even-par 72 to finish at 5-under 211, and Iqbal had a final round 1-over 73 and defeated Yoonhee Kim in a playoff to capture the Boys’ overall and Girls’ titles, respectively, on Tuesday at the 87th NCGA Junior Championship on the par-72 Old Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links.

Hutchison, the only Boys’ player to shoot par or better each of the three rounds, joined his older sister Samantha (2013) as a champion of the prestigious event. The two are the only siblings to both win the NCGA Junior in the event’s 87-year history.

“It feels good to have my name on the trophy and have my sister’s name on the other,” said Hutchison, a senior at Pioneer High.

Girls

Girls’ champion Sabrina Iqbal, runner-up Yoonhee Kim and third place finisher Amanjoty Sangha (left to right)

Getting his name alongside the likes of former champs Ken Venturi (1949), Johnny Miiler (1963) and Bobby Clampett (1976) was pretty good, too.

“That’s very cool. Having my name with those guys makes me feel confident,” he said.

A day after going 5-under over 36 holes on the Ocean Course, Hutchison again found his groove. He’d post 14 pars to go with a pair of birdies and two bogeys—the key being that he never put himself in trouble. It was only the second time that Hutchison had ever played the Old Course.

“I was making a lot of putts,” said Hutchison, who has already verbally committed to UC Davis, where his sister now plays. “If I did miss a green, I’d knock it close and then make the putt. I just wanted to keep the ball in play and not make any major mistakes.”

Boys'16-18

Boys’ 16-18 champion Drake Mendenhall, runner-up Finigan Tilly and third place finisher Austin Fox (left to right)

Hutchison’s steady nerves led to a five-shot win over Granite Bay’s Drake Mendenhall, who came in at 216 following a 75 and took the title in the Boys’ 16-18 division. San Carlos resident Finigan Tilly, who had opened the championship with a brilliant 65 on the Ocean Course, was second in the Boys’ 16-18 division at 217 after a 78. Third place went to Folsom’s Austin Fox, who also had a 78, at 218.

While Hutchison’s day was one for the history book, so too was Iqbal’s. With her win, the Pioneer High junior notched her 19th NorCal Junior Girls’ major victory, passing junior sensation Casie Cathrea (18). Iqbal also became the first girl to repeat as NCGA Junior champion since Jamille Jose (1988-1989).

“This one feels good. I knew it was going to be a tough day,” said Iqbal, who only turns 15 next week.

For Iqbal, the tough part was trying to get past pal Yoonhee Kim of San Ramon. Kim, who held a one-shot lead over Iqbal entering the final round, took a one-shot lead to the scenic 18th tee after a clutch birdie on the par-3 17th.

Boys'14-15

Boys’ 14-15 champion Aaron Chen, runner-up Brian Shaw and third place finisher Michael Shaw (left to right)

On No.18, however, Kim got stuck in a bunker leading to a bogey, while Iqbal managed a par. Tied after regulation at 3-over 147, the duo twice played the par-5 10th hole. After halving with pars the first go-round, the second time Kim’s drive went too far, forcing her to punch out. Kim’s third shot then found the fairway bunker, leading to another lay-up. Iqbal, meanwhile, calmly knock her third shot to within 2 feet of the flagstick for the win.

“When we were on the 18th tee I knew I had to somehow get that one stroke back. I felt that if I could get to extra holes I’d have a chance,” Iqbal said. “I knew I had to bring my ‘A’ game all day. Yoonhee is such a great player.”

On the Junior Tour of Northern California, the two have jostled for the No.1 spot in the race for Girls’ Player of the Year honors all season. Iqbal is the two-time defending JTNC Player of the Year.

“That bunker shot I had on 18, I just sort of chunked it out,” said Kim, who’s headed to UC Davis in the fall. “I love Sabrina. It’s all meant to be. We both played great.”

Boys'10-13

Boys’ 10-13 champion Drew Kim, runner-up John Heckel and third place finisher Caleb Barstad (left to right)

Both third and fourth place in the Girls’ championship were claimed by the Sangha sisters of San Mateo—Amanjoty and Kiran. Amanjoty was third at 152 following a 76, while Kiran placed fourth at 153 following a 78.

In the Boys’ 14-15 division, Fremont’s Aaron Chen posted a 73 to come in at 216, knocking off runner-up Brian Ma of Milpitas by three strokes. Ma, who had a closing 79, had been in the running for the overall title after carding back-to-back rounds of 70 on the Ocean Course. Third place went to Michael Shaw of Pleasanton at 222 after a 71.

The Boys’ 10-13 division was another close affair, as Drew Kim had a second 76 to finish at 152, defeating runner-up John Heckel of San Jose by one. Heckel, who lead after a 75 on the Ocean Course, slipped back to a 78. Third place went to Caleb Barstad of Carmel Valley at 157 after a 76.

Three JTNC Players Advance to U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship

Jun 13, 2016Comments Off on Three JTNC Players Advance to U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur ChampionshipFeatured

Redwood Shores resident Lucy Li and five others are headed to this year’s U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at Ridgewood CC in New Jersey.

Li, the darling of the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, carded a 5-under 67 to earn medalist honors Monday in a qualifier held at par-72 Merced Golf and Country Club. Still only 13 years old, Li posted six birdies with just one bogey. She’d card a 3-under 33 on the back-nine.

Placing second with a 71 was Danville resident Ty Akabane. Akabane recently shot a 66 at the Junior Tour of Northern California Spring Series VII Championship. The 5-under 66 was the third lowest Girls’ score in JTNC history.

Third place went to Concord’s Yealimi Noh, who won the 2014 California Junior Girls’ State Championship, at 72.

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Also advancing were Grace Fitzgerald of Poway (76), North Tustin’s Katie Stribling (76) and Kayla Sam of Anaheim Hills (77).

The first alternate spot went to Tiffany Kong of Vancouver at 78. Rocklin’s Nicole Schroeder (78) is the second alternate.

This year’s U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship will be held July 18-23.

JTNC Alum Justin Suh Headed to Oakmont

Jun 7, 2016Comments Off on JTNC Alum Justin Suh Headed to OakmontFeatured

June 7, 2016

San Jose resident Justin Suh, who won JTNC Player of the Year honors in 2013 and 2015, is headed to Oakmont Country Club for this year’s U.S Open.

A sophomore at USC, Suh shot back-to-back rounds of 67 to finish at 8-under 134, tied for second at Monday’s U.S. Open Sectional qualifier held at par-71 Olympic Club (Ocean Course) and par-72 Lake Merced Golf Club. He was the lone amateur to grab one of the automatic spots into the U.S. Open.

“It feels really good. I’m sort of speechless,” Suh said. “I’m going to Oakmont. I can’t put it to words.”

A week ago, Suh, who’ll turn 19 on Sunday, held the lead after the second round of the NCAA Championship. He’d finish T-10. In 2015, he won the San Francisco City Championship at TPC Harding Park.

Suh, the only male player to win Junior Tour of Northern California Player of the Year honors twice (2013, 2015),

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