AJGA Blog

AJGA players enjoy field trip to USGA Museum, Test Center

Golf’s greatest moments – Francis Ouimet at the 1913 U.S. Open; and golf’s greatest personalities – Arnold Palmer foremost among them; are brought to life at the USGA Museum.

Players at the 2012 Genesis Junior Open had the chance to get up close to golf’s wonderful history at the USGA Museum after the first  round of play. With the USGA campus located just 15 minutes from Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, the AJGA took full advantage of the opportunity to get the
next generation of golfers and their families to the home of golf in the United States.

The buzz on the first tee the next morning was that the Museum was excellent, but the USGA Test and Research Center was the star of the show. Learning how golf equipment is tested for conformity was a real crowd-pleaser. And seeing some of the equipment that missed the cut was good for plenty of laughs. Case in point: Lasers in hats? Genius, maybe. But conforming? No.

Also popular was The Pynes Putting Course, where replica antique putters and golf balls were put to the test on an enormous undulating green. Prizes and food perfectly topped off the occasion.
Thank you to the staff of the USGA Museum for helping create such a memorable experience for the AJGA tournament participants, proving once again that not all the fun takes place on the golf course.

See Facebook Album for more photos.

The Bangkok Connection

When they were seven years old, KK Limbhasut and Pailin Ruttanasupagid played golf together in Bangkok, Thailand. Nearly one decade later and 9,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, the two were joined together again as champions of the Under Armour ® / Gary Woodland Championship.

Outside the clubhouse at Diablo Grande Golf & Country Club, the pair gathered for champions’ photos, while sharing with the AJGA staff how long they have been friends. After growing up in Thailand, KK, now 16, moved to the States just two years ago; Pailin about a year and a half ago.

Now residing in southern California, KK and Pailin live about 100 miles apart, with KK in Loma Linda and Pailin in San Diego. Sunday afternoon, as they patiently posed for photos, they stood just inches apart – their golf journey taking them from young kids in Thailand to AJGA champions in Patterson, California.

- by Rob Coleman, AJGA Communications

News Nuggets from Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic

by Rob Coleman, AJGA Communications

Parting thoughts from Mesa, Ariz., as we wrap up the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club:

LOOK OUT BELOW: Records were falling in the final round. The women’s course record was broken by Lindsey Weaver who closed with a 7-under-par 64. The boys’ tournament record was claimed by Beau Hossler, who shot 66-68-64—198 to win by five shots.

SEVEN-LETTER PAIRING: There’s no official record for this category, but when Bethany Wu, Lidia Vu and Minjia Luo were paired together in the final round, there were only seven letters combined in their last names. By contrast, there are 18 letters in the last name of this week’s tournament director Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana.

CLUTCH CHIP: Cha Cha Willhoite made the girls’ 36-hole cut on the number. What the scorecard doesn’t tell us is that she chipped in for par on her 36^th hole to hit that number.

SWEET & LOW: Gordon Neale fired seven birdies and an eagle in the final round en route to a tournament-low 8-under-par 63.

ROUGH START – AMAZING FINISH: Derek Castillo was 6-over-par through five holes in Saturday’s second round. Then he rallied with 10 birdies the rest of the way to shoot a 4-under-par 67, including a back-nine 29.

SISTERLY LOVE: When the Gariepy sisters tied for fourth at Wednesday's TaylorMade-adidas Golf qualifier, they appeared destined for a playoff to claim the final spot in the field. Alexia, an eighth-grader, told big sister Carolane that she'd give the spot to her because Carolane is a junior and needs the exposure for college. Luckily, it never came to that. One player ahead of them couldn't play in the tournament, so they both got in the field.

SHOT OF THE WEEK: Nathan Wunderli aced the 158-yard eighth hole with an 8-iron in the first round. He eventually finished in a tie for 12^th place.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Lindsey Weaver (pictured below) has won an AJGA tournament in seven consecutive years, 2006-2012. Since players can only play in the AJGA from age 12-18, this record might never be broken. Lindsey heads off to Notre Dame this fall, but her name may forever stand in the AJGA record book.

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?

In Charge at the Women's Open

The players on the course are not the only AJGA alumni at the 2011 U.S. Women's Open. The USGA's man in charge, Director Ben Kimball, is a former AJGA tournament director now at the helm of the USGA's national championship.

From 2002-2005, Kimball was an exemplary tournament director at the AJGA before departing to the USGA as a Manager of Competitions. After conducting various USGA championships during his early years, Kimball's role was elevated this year as the director of the U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Amateur.

At The Broadmoor, Kimball is reunited with top professional women who also played junior golf during his AJGA years. Inbee Park, the 2008 Women's Open champion was the 2002 Rolex Junior Player of the Year. Defending Women's Open champion Paula Creamer was the 2003 Rolex Junior Player of the Year.

Other players that Kimball saw with the AJGA in the early 2000s, and who also have made the jump to this week's Women's Open, include Morgan Pressel, Amanda Blumenherst, Brittany Lincicome, Stacy Lewis, In-Kyung Kim and Julieta Granada (pictured below with Kimball), among others. The AJGA will be rooting for the success of all our former players -- and former staff -- this weekend.

Notes from Rolex TOC

A few quick thoughts while we are in the middle of the final round at the Rolex Tournament of Champions:

- The last two alternates to make the field were Robynn Ree and Catherina Li. When Emma Talley got the call to play in the U.S. Women's Open on the practice round day, she withdrew from Rolex TOC and Li got the call to replace her at Sunriver Resort. Both Ree and Li survived the cut.

- About the cut....this is the first time at Rolex TOC that a 54-hole cut was employed. The traditional 36-hole cut was abandoned to give players a chance to play more golf and college coaches the opportunity to see more players in the third round.

- On the topic of college coaches, the final round fell on July 1, which is an exciting day for coaches and recruits as the coaches are able to talk to rising seniors. The 60 coaches in attendance had a prime opportunity to speak directly with players at the Crosswater Course.

- Which brings me to the Crosswater Course. Wow! The course itself is absolutely beautiful and the views of the surrounding mountains, including snow-covered Mt. Batchelor are breathtaking. It won't be easy to leave here, but with any luck, I'll return someday.

- Players that might like to return someday: Gabriella Then and Jaye Marie Green. In the second and third rounds, they took turns tying the women's competitive course record of 5-under-par 67.

 

College Beckons Seniors at Rolex Tournament of Champions

As the 34^th Rolex Tournament of Champions comes to an end today, many players are looking ahead to their next event, putting another junior event under their belt. But for some, the final round is another milestone toward ending a junior career and making the transition to college golf.

In the AJGA’s flagship championship, there are 30 players who have signed a National Letter of Intent to play for colleges across the country in the fall, making the transition from junior golf to college golf at Stanford, LSU, Brown University and many other schools. For those such as recent graduate JD Tomlinson of Gainesville, Fla., playing in the Rolex Tournament of Champions brings bittersweet feelings.

“It’s kind of sad, I like hanging out with everybody at the invitationals,” Tomlinson said. “Once you’re in college, you’re with your team, so this is my last summer to hang out with all of my friends.”

Tomlinson, who will be playing for the University of Florida in the fall, is competing in his first Rolex Tournament of Champions and will end his AJGA career with the East Team at Wyndham Cup. He said playing in AJGA events has given him a better understanding of the game and how to compete against the best golfers around the world.

Playing on a college team will bring a new challenge that Kendall Prince of Lake Oswego, Ore., is excited to encounter in the fall at The Ohio State University.

“You’re playing with the best at these events, so playing in AJGA events showed me where I’m at with the competition,” Prince said. “I think I’m ready for the transition because when you play with the best you learn from the best.”

Brendan Connolly of Castle Rock, Colo., will be attending Gonzaga University and added the Rolex Tournament of Champions to his list of invitationals in his final junior season.

“These invitationals are the cream of the crop, so you see how you stack up against the best kids in the country,” Connolly said. “It’s sad and exciting to move to the next level, I’m just hanging in there this week and trying to play the best I can.”

Advancing to the next level brings a new pool of golfers to compete with, but Connolly said it will be fun to see how his game stacks up against the best players in college. “All of us kids know each other at the AJGA Invitationals, so hopefully I get to see some of them out there next year,” Connolly said.

With 18 holes left at the Sunriver Resort – Crosswater Course, our recent graduates will add one more AJGA Invitational to the book en route to closing their junior golf careers.

-- by Abby Liebenthal, AJGA Communications

Shorter Than it Appears

As practice rounds begin at the Rolex Tournament of Champions, the 7,542-yard layout for the Boys Division at Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater Course may appear a daunting task for even the world’s best junior golfers. In fact, the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club played just 32 yards longer than the Rolex distance, at 7,574 yards.

However, with Sunriver, Ore., resting 4,150 feet above sea level, altitude will play a major factor for the 144 competitors at this week’s event, essentially reducing the courses yardage by hundreds of yards. Crosswater Club Manager Josh Willis discusses how players from lower elevations will be affected.

“The big impact is off the tee,” Willis said. “They’re going to hit the ball 30 yards farther than they’re accustomed to back home.”

Willis explained that when the Crosswater Course opened in 1995, it was the longest course in the country from the tips. Maxing out at 7,680 yards, Willis states that the tips actually play shorter than 7,200 yards, although the players will quickly learn to adjust.

“From all the USGA, Champions Tour and NCAA events that we’ve hosted, we have never had one player be concerned about the elevation affecting their golf ball,” Willis said. “They’re going to learn [how to adapt] really quickly. A good golfer is going to know.”

With a plethora of water, majestic views of snow-capped Mt. Bachelor (see photo above) and a lengthy layout, this year’s installment of the Rolex Tournament of Champions will certainly present its challenges to competitors. One thing the players will have on their side, though, is the extra length they will be gaining off the tee. Thank you elevation.

-- by James Adams, AJGA Communications

 

Helping the Next Generation

A day before the Rolex Girls Junior Championship began, more than 25 tournament participants took part in a fun-filled clinic with 33 young golfers from The First Tee of Rochester. The juniors took time out of their practice-round preparation to make sure there was enough fun and golf tips for everyone.

Before their practice round, the juniors headed to the practice range, ready to interact and teach The First Tee members. Each junior was paired up with a few kids from The First Tee of Rochester. Several stations were set up to provide personal instruction on chipping, driving and putting.

After the stations were completed, the AJGA presented The First Tee of Rochester with a check for $11,000. The AJGA seeks to give back to local communities in which it hosts tournaments. The donation, made possible by Rolex and the Junior-Am at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship, will be used to help implement golf programs in local schools.

by Danika Arenibas

Brothers & Sisters

If your name is Jutanugarn, Ree, Lee, Vu, Iida, or Taylor, and you found yourself at the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club this week, then there’s a pretty good chance you weren’t alone. It seemed that this was THE place for golfing families to be over Easter Weekend.

The Jutanugarn sisters – Moriya and Ariya (pictured below) – experienced the most visible success, with their one-two finish in the Girls Division. Moriya, a sophomore in Bangkok, Thailand, is older by 16 months, and while both players are ranked in the top 15 of the Polo Golf Rankings, Moriya became the first to win an AJGA tournament with her two-shot victory over Ariya.

The “Ree Three” – Ryann, Lawrence and Robynn – posted the largest quantity of success at Longbow Golf Club, as the three siblings from Redondo Beach, Calif., each made the 36-hole cut. Ryann, class of 2012, placed T12 and Lawrence, class of 2013, finished T23 in the Boys Division, while Robynn, class of 2015, tied for 17^th among the girls.

Esther and John Lee of Los Alamitos, Calif., posted a pair of good finishes with Esther, a sophomore, placing T9 and John, a junior, placing 22^nd.

Lilia and Andre Vu of Fountain Valley, Calif., found mixed results as sophomore Andre missed the cut by one shot, while Lilia placed T12.

Two players – Eric Taylor and Saki Iida – were securely in the field through the AJGA’s Performance Based Entry process, while their siblings successfully qualified Wednesday via the Taylor Made-adidas Golf Qualifier.

Eric, from San Juan Capistrano, Calif., was joined by his twin brother Owen, who had fallen just short in a qualifier playoff, but earned the last tournament spot as an alternate. In a turn of events, it was Owen who made the cut and finished T35 while Eric missed. The twin brothers will enter college together this fall as they enroll at California State University-Sacramento.

In a similar story, Ken Iida of Gilbert, Ariz., was the co-medalist at Wednesday’s Taylor Made-adidas Golf Qualifier, joining his sister Saki in the field. While Saki missed the Girls Division cut, Ken tied for 31^st among the boys.

The family affair goes on and on, as many more players in the field have brothers or sisters who formerly played in the AJGA, while others have younger siblings who attempted to qualify this week, but just missed out. It all just goes to show the unique opportunity golf provides for families to be together.