AJGA Blog

King of the Island

“Whenever you see Jack Nicklaus in the airport, you say ‘Hi Mr. Nicklaus,’ never ‘Hi Jack.’ Unless you want to be arrested.” This was just one small bit of the inspired wisdom provided by Chi Chi Rodriguez to the 79 boys playing this week at the Puerto Rico Junior Open.

The Puerto Rico native took some time to come out to Trump International Golf Club this week to speak to the field and put on a clinic following the first round. Rodriguez entertained the crowd with stories about his idols Ben Hogan and Mother Teresa and reliving his biggest thrill in golf; winning the Denver Open Invitational.

With his brilliant charisma we have come to love and adore, Chi Chi emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity while always believing in yourself. Rodriguez reminded the players that “a hero dies only once, but a coward dies every single day,” as they prepared to tee it up this week in search of the coveted exemption into the Puerto Rico Open that will be awarded to the champion.

Each and every junior was able to soak up guidance and advice from the legend that won eight times on the PGA TOUR and 22 times on the Champions Tour, something they will never forget. Thanks to Chi Chi for being a great role model for all of us and an even better ambassador for the game of golf!

-Photo and blog by Casey Ceman, AJGA Tournament Director

Traveling volunteer

Get up. Drive to the course. Check in. Grab a donut. Fill the coffee cup. Pick up a radio. Man your station.

Such is life of an AJGA volunteer.

Unless you’re Gloria Dodd. Then it’s…

Pack a suitcase. Hop on a plane. Check into hotel. Get up. Drive to the course. Check in. Grab a donut. Fill the coffee cup. Pick up a radio. Man your station.

Dodd, a retired IRS employee, is from Madison, Mississippi. And she loves golf.

Why is she here you ask? She loves volunteering.

“I learned of the ANNIKA Invitational when I was volunteering at the 2011 Solheim Cup in Ireland,” Dodd said. “I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see these young girls play. They’re very impressive.”

I would say that traveling from Mississippi to Florida just to volunteer is pretty impressive. If you see Gloria (Live Scoring on No. 18), be sure to thank her!

PRGA girls, Clark win Junior-Am

The Puerto Rico Junior Open is an all-boys tournament this year, but the second-year event crowned three girl champions Friday afternoon.

Gabriella Cidras, Valeria Llovet and Paola Diaz, all 16-year-olds from Puerto Rico, teamed with Wyndham Clark and won the Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament with a 10-under-par 62.

Each player is part of the Puerto Rico Golf Association’s junior program, which is dedicated to the overall growth and development of junior golf in Puerto Rico.

“I think it’s the most challenging sport, both mentally and physically,” said Cidras, who is currently No. 2 in the PRGA’s junior rankings.

The girls said that playing with the ninth-ranked player in the Polo Golf Rankings was a bit nerve-wracking, but they learned from the Oklahoma State-bound senior.

“He’s very into his game and he didn’t get mad after one shot, he just tried another one,” Diaz said. “His attitude was really good. I think my attitude can change a little bit and that’s going to help me with my game.”

-Written by Chris Richards, AJGA Communications

Friendly foes

Twelve of the opening-round matchups at the Polo Golf Junior Classic pitted Rolex Junior All-Americans against each other. In two of the matches, a pair of First-Teamers squared off.

The significance of these first-round matches, Emma Talley vs. Jaye Marie Green and Matthew NeSmith vs. Motin Yeung, weighed heavy on the outcome of the tournament, but also on the friendships between the players.

NeSmith and Yeung were Wyndham Cup teammates, while Talley and Green represented Team USA at this year’s PING Junior Solheim Cup. For the girls, the gravity of the pairing led the two to agree on silence during the round.

“We text each other every morning, so on the first tee I just acted like I didn’t know her because you don’t want to beat someone that you love,” said Green, who was the defending champion.

Predictably, the match went 19 holes, finally ending with a birdie by Talley. And almost as predictably, Talley said the win was bittersweet.

“It was weird, but I was really happy to pull out the win but it was also bittersweet because I didn’t want to play her, especially in the first round,” said Talley, who advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Nicole Morales, the eventual champion. “We’ve been friends and teammates and it was really difficult.”

Above: Talley holed her bunker shot for birdie on No. 15 to bring her first-round match to all square versus Green.

-- Written by Chris Richards, AJGA Communications

College Coaches Converge on Polo Golf Junior Classic

College coaches spent time watching players on No. 17 of the Champion today.

There are 156 juniors teeing it up at the Polo Golf Junior Classic, 78 boys and 78 girls. Of the AJGA’s 60-person staff, 36 are on site at PGA National.

The number that stands out the most to everyone on the Champion and Haig courses, however, is 105. There are 105 college golf coaches roaming PGA National scouting the student-athletes that will call their school home in a couple of years.

If you're out on the course tomorrow, take a look at the galleries and notice how many school logos you see. Then, take a look at the AJGA mission statement banner near the practice putting green. Mission accomplished.

 

 

Time to Sign

Wednesday, November 9 marked the beginning of the NCAA’s early signing period. This day signifies the success of the AJGA coming full circle taking the next big step in earning college golf scholarships, thus the AJGA mission is met. Over the course of the last few days, high school seniors signing National Letters of Intent were given the opportunity to let the AJGA know about their college decision through the AJGA Facebook page and twitter @AJGAGolf. Signees were encouraged to tweet or post a photo to the facebook wall sharing their success. As the early signing period continues through November 16, here are some of the thoughts from AJGA’s top-tier golfers expressing their thoughts about their long-aspired goal, college golf.

What three words describe the excitement you felt when signing?

“Proud, nervous, and excited! It was also very "unreal", since I committed in January it seems like years since then. I never thought this day would come!” — Samantha Marks, University of North Carolina

“Humble, thankful, and determined.”— Charlie Danielson, University of Illinois

“Accomplished, excited, and relieved.” — Otto Black, University of Toledo

What are you looking forward to the most about playing college golf?

“I’m looking forward to the team aspect and competitive atmosphere as I go off to college. I'm excited that I get to share my love for the game with girls who feel the exact same way I do. All in all I'm just so excited for my dreams of playing golf at a Division I school coming true.” — Jasmine Wade, Florida International University

“I look forward to getting better, and meeting, playing, and working with some of the best coaches and players in the country.”— Mariana Sims, Wake Forest

“I am really looking forward to the team atmosphere.  Washington is all about having a great time, which is what I am really looking forward to.  I will be able to improve my golf game with two great coaches and having the opportunity to play with some of the best kids in the nation will help to take my game to the next level.” — Jonathan Sanders, University of Washington

How has the AJGA helped you achieve your goal of earning a college golf scholarship?

“AJGA allowed me to compete in the country's top junior golf events which gave me a lot of exposure to college coaches. I would not have had as many opportunities to present myself on such a high level without the AJGA. For this outstanding organization, I am thankful. Words can't express how delighted and grateful I am to be a Stanford Cardinal!”— Mariah Stackhouse, University of Stanford

“AJGA helped me prove to college coaches that I could compete on a big stage in a national tournament scene and play well.”— Miles Death, University of South Dakota

“The AJGA is the most competitive junior golf organization in the nation, so I have played with some of the best competition.  Many college coaches look to the AJGA to recruit and I feel my good play in the AJGA greatly helped me in my commitment to play for UC Santa Barbara.  AJGA tournaments have prepared me for the fierce competition in college, but I feel confident that I can compete at the highest level.”— Lawrence Fu, UC Santa Barbara

For a complete list of the Class of 2012 signings visit the PING College Golf Signing Day website.

- by Denae Olberding, AJGA Communications

Stackhouse stacks up more honors

Mariah Stackhouse is a name seen often in golf media. It seems she’s always accomplishing something new, whether it be her LPGA debut or suiting up as a member of the victorious U.S. PING Junior Solheim Cup Team.

This time, however, Mariah has branched out to the fashion and beauty media as well, and has been named one of Glamour magazine’s Amazing Young Women of 2011.

Each year, Glamour recognizes 10 women who have made a difference, whether it be within popular culture, politics, or volunteerism. Honorees range from Jennifer Lopez to Laura, Barbara and Jenna Bush.

The magazine also recognized 21 young women who are making a difference in their communities, in science and research, as well as in athletics. Mariah was honored thanks to several accomplishments, namely being the youngest winner of the Georgia PGA women’s championship. She was also the only African American to qualify for the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open.

For more information on Glamour’s Amazing Young Women of 2011, visit their website.

Trendsetter

Webb Simpson, Adam Scott, and Keegan Bradley have all won with it, and Vincent Martino of Southlake, Texas, sees no reason why he can’t do the same this week at The PING Invitational.

In March, Vincent made the switch to the belly putter after his future college coach noticed he lifted his left shoulder through impact. The proposed solution: ditch the traditional short stick for the slightly longer short stick.

“I was always a good putter from inside five feet, so I almost use this for the opposite reason,” said Vincent, who has verbally committed to the University of Houston. “With a regular-sized putter, I don’t make good contact on lag putts and this has helped me with my speed and making more consistent putts.”

Since making the switch, Martino has notched three AJGA top 10s, including a win at the Signsational Signs Junior at The Woodlands in June. Vincent said he is one of only three players using a belly putter this week at Karsten Creek, but he expects it to gain popularity among his peers.

“You see a couple more, but not a lot have switched. A lot of kids in my area have seen how much better I’ve gotten since I switched and are starting to think about it,” he said. “I think people are going to try it out more (because of its popularity), not so much stick with it but just to try it. It used to be something only older guys would use to help with short putts, but it really helps all of your putting.”

-Chris Richards, AJGA Communications

High Winds = High Scores

Under the most pristine weather conditions, Karsten Creek is among the most difficult golf courses on the AJGA schedule each year. Today's weather conditions were not ideal. So, what effect did the 20-30 mph winds have on the first round of The PING Invitational? Let's run a comparison between this year and last.

The similarities: Hole locations and yardages are nearly the same this year, except for a few tees being moved up Saturday to accommodate for dead-in-your-face winds.

The differences: Scores. Whereas eight players (four boys, four girls) shot par or better in 2010's first round, only one player, Wyndham Clark, managed to do it in 2011's opener. Kyung Kim fired the women's course record last year, a 5-under-par 67. This year, the girls' leader, Jenny Hahn, is at 2-over-par 74.

The boys' overall scoring average rose from 77.6 last year to 79.0 this year. The girls average increased more than two strokes, from 76.7 to 78.8. Holes 16, 17 and 18, where the wind was at its fiercest, are partly to blame. Last year, 18 double-bogeys or worse were recorded on the closing holes. This year, 34 doubles or worse were carded as the winds howled on the trio of holes surrounding Lake Louise.

The good news for Sunday's second round is the winds are forecasted to mellow out to 10-12 mph. The bad news is that rain has moved in to Stillwater and isn't expected to leave anytime soon. Windbreakers will be replaced by rainsuits. Any chance the bogeys will be replaced by birdies?

Familiar Faces in 2011 Solheim Cup

For those watching the final singles matches in the 2011 Solheim Cup, you’re seeing a great exhibition of golf. What you may not know is that nine of the 24 participants in this year’s matches got their first taste of international match play competition as juniors in the PING Junior Solheim Cup.

On the European side, four players have combined for six years of PING Junior Solheim Cup experience. Azahara Munoz made three appearances (2002, 2003, 2005), while Melissa Reid (2005), Anna Nordqvist (2005) and Caroline Hedwall (2007) each suited up in blue once before making the leap to the pros and joining the Solheim Cup team.

For the Americans, five were once PING Junior Solheim Cup participants. Morgan Pressel (2002, 2005), Paula Creamer (2002, 2003), Brittany Lincicome (2002, 2003), Brittany Lang (2002), and Vicky Hurst (2007) all wore the red of the U.S.A. team.

Pictured is the 2002 U.S. PING Junior Solheim Cup Team, which featured 2011 Solheim Cup participants Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang.

While many of these ladies competed in the same years, only once were they matched up to play together, or against one another. In 2005, Morgan Pressel defeated Azahara Munoz in the final singles match of the day.

Of the nine, two went straight to the Solheim Cup two years after competing in the PING Junior Solheim Cup. Paula Creamer has been a member of the Solheim Cup team four times now, her first coming in 2005, just two years after her final PING Junior Solheim Cup appearance in 2003. Also moving straight from the PING Junior Solheim Cup to the professional ranks of the biennial match play event was Morgan Pressel who is making her third appearance in the Solheim Cup. Pressel first competed in the Solheim Cup in 2007, having made her final PING Junior Solheim Cup appearance in 2005.

Morgan Pressel and Anna Nordqvist are the only two of the nine to have gone undefeated in PING Junior Solheim Cup play. Pressel holds a record of 4-0-2, while Nordqvist boasts a record of 3-0-0. Their success has carried over into their Solheim Cup experiences. Having gone undefeated in 2011 Solheim Cup matches, Pressel now has a Solheim Cup record of 7-2-2. Nordqvist has a Solheim Cup record of 4-4-0.

If history is bound to repeat itself, we’ll be seeing even more familiar names when the Solheim Cup returns to the U.S. in 2013.