by Colvin Hedgepeth, AJGA Communications
The Peninsula Junior Classic was a 54-hole stroke play competition played on the par-72, The Peninsula Golf & Country Club. The event featured 72 boys and 24 girls, ages 12-18, from 16 states and five countries.
GOOD TO KNOW THE NGO’S
Only one letter and two years separates the Ngo sisters. Team 1 first happened upon the Ngo sisters in June at the Killington Junior Golf Championship. On paper, at first glance, you might think your eyes are playing tricks on you; the names Vinh-Hoa Ngo and Vinh-Hop Ngo seem to be a mirage, appearing in a row on the tournament pairings. This is the first summer the Ngo sisters participated in a full schedule of AJGA tournaments, with the majority of the events occurring in the Northeast region.
On any given tournament day, you will find the pair playing with a quiet composure as they barely talk with fellow players -- they have a disciplined approach to the game, with a fierce focus while on the course. After the round, the two can be spotted on the putting green, adding hours of practice to perfect any flaws from the day. Hard work has paid off for the duo, as Vinh-Hoa will head to Boston College to play golf in a few weeks and Vinh-Hop has recorded a top-ten finish this summer.
The sisters were happy to share their favorite moments from working with AJGA team 1 throughout the summer. Vinh-Hop enjoyed getting to know the familiar faces each week and interacting with staff members out on the course, while Vinh-Hoa loved being on the starting tee with Caleb, the world class AJGA announcer.
“Playing with the AJGA and seeing the same people each week is cool,” Vinh-Hoa said. “I’ve had a fun summer.”
Vinh-Hoa (left) and Vinh-Hop finish out their summer AJGA tour next week at the Genesis Junior Open in Bedminster, N.J.
PENINSULA PATRONS
When producing a first-time event, you never know how the community will react to an influx of juniors spreading over their home course. Junior players arrive in good spirits, dressed in their best manners and equipped to face a new challenge. This week, The Peninsula Golf & Country Club members showed up equally as enthusiastic to take on the role of tournament volunteers. Throughout the week, 60 plus total volunteers helped with timing stations, spotting, scoring, and shuttling players between long walks. Several volunteers even stayed beyond their designated time to aid with transporting players or to catch a glimpse of junior play on their beloved course.
Volunteers were easy to spot in their uniform white polo shirts and red hats.
EXECUTIVE PAR
Vice President Joe Biden has paid multiple visits to The Peninsula Golf & Country Club this summer -- the AJGA just missed him as he played a round of golf mere days before juniors arrived on the scene. Biden moved to Delaware in his early teen years and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965.
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