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The Valder family from Yorba Linda, CA personify what our Inaugural Junior/Amateur was all about. UCLA bound Preston (L) and sister Malia who plays on the JAGATour, participated as a “brother-sister” team while Mom and Dad caddied for their talented children. The Sunday event gave players both a practice round and some very spirited competition. |
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“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
Enthusiastic Junior/Amateur participants Megan Mahoney (R), Director of San Diego Junior Golf and Callaway Junior World participated with Stephanie Krause, Sue Teodecki and Amanda Roberts. Megan has added a wonderful dimension to our event through her support and helping get the word out to Junior Players and their families. |
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Joe Michaels (L) caddied for his son Brandon, a top San Diego 12 year old player. Brandon was paired with former UCSB player Andrew Simons, new member at La Costa with a plus 2 handicap. Rounding out the foresome was SJGA Board of Director Armand Cerami who played collegiately at North Carolina and Ellis Messian from Del Norte HS. |
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“Father and Son paired with entrepreneur and 10 year old phenom.”
Ken Riley and son Scott played in an exciting foresome with 10 year old Josh Ramos who shot an incredible 80 from the white tees. Josh partnered with international businessman Herb Meistrich. The two were early favorites in the net division – they ended up placing third overall. |
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San Diego businessman Jack Reynolds had a colorful and exciting 18 holes with 9 year old Karah Sanford. Karah has won almost every major tournament in the United States in her age group. She becomes the youngest playing member of the SJGA family, along with her supportive father Perry who caddied. Brother and Sister Ian and Riley Leming of Murrieta, CA who both participated on the JAGSTour, filled out a foresome that was watched by many spectators and members of Morgan Run. |
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“Friendship and an exciting rivalry”
SJGA CEO Steve Simons invited top 12 year old junior player Kendel Hodges to a competitive round at La Costa before they started the 50 million dollar renovation. Both players shot 39 on the front, the match was officially called a draw after 3 additional holes – Kendel birdied number 12 for the tie and Steve immediately entered him in a waterslide competition with his ten year old brother. Athletic Kendel placed second out of several dozen entered at the La Costa pool. The rivalry is to be continued with Steve announcing he will “need shots” from here on. |
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“Solid Golf and learning the Odds.”
Katrina Hart, Tesoro HS in Orange County, was paired with San Diego businessman Gary Pollack who is also a Nationally Ranked Poker Player. Katrina had a wonderful practice round and also learned that a putt of seven feet or more was at least “two to one”. Ironically their playing partners were retired businessman Billy Weinberger who lives in Las Vegas and top Junior Girls player Katherine Guo. |
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“GOOD MORNING FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA”
It’s 6:20 AM and the individual players are warming up at Surf N Turf in Del Mar. There were so many competitors that SJGA CEO Steve Simons made the historic practice facility “an offer they can’t refuse” to open while it was still dark. Only a few miles from Morgan Run – everybody was ready to play by 8:00 AM. |
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Our unique Individual Championships for Boys and Girls also featured a CIF Sanctioned High School Event. The “Maverick Invitational” was hosted by La Costa Canyon HS and drew many of the top teams in Southern California. The Rancho Bernardo team arrived early at Morgan Run and came ready to play. |
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Tournament Director Steve Armstrong of La Costa Canyon HS welcomes and explains rules to a massive field of players. The SJGA Grand Finale was played on all 27 holes of Morgan Run Resort and Club. Competition began at 8:00 AM – each competitor played 36 holes to determine the Individual Boy and Girl Champion. |
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Fox 5 TV San Diego’s Erica Fox interviews 12 year old Kendel Hodges, our youngest competitor, and learns a special story of courage and perseverance. Kendel is a cancer survivor who overcame great odds to become a top Junior Player. |
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In one of three segments, Fox 5 TV San Diego covers the shot-gun start of play at 8:00 AM. 130 players began the 36 hole competition. This 2nd year event was ranked by GOLFWEEK, AJGA and Junior Golf Scoreboard. Plans call for expansion into two separate events for Boys & Girls for the next Scholastic Golfing year. |
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Groups of players, all competing as individuals, merge together on the 10th tee at Morgan Run. The 36 hole event tested both concentration and endurance – necessities for players to take their games to the Collegiate level. The SJGA Championships have now emerged as a Premier Junior Event for players to showcase their talents. |
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Fox 5 TV San Diego interviewed 9 year old Karah Sanford and her parents in a special segment. Karah was the winner of Callaway Junior World in the 7-8 year old division last summer. She made her first appearance in an SJGA Event – Sunday in the Junior/Amateur and was a major sensation. |
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Callaway Executive Glenn Hickey (R) is pictured with top PGA teaching professional Chris Mayson – a member of the SJGA Board of Directors. Chris had just returned from the Masters and took time off Monday to lend support to our Tournament. Glenn and Callaway Golf have been wonderful supporters of both our event and Junior Golf. |
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Re-Uniting Of Old Friends – Player and Coach
Andrew Simons, and All-CIF Golfer who played collegiately for UCSB, re-unites with his former coach and good friend Steve Armstrong of La Costa Canyon HS. Steve is a member of the SJGA Board of Directors, Coach of the 2009 California State Championship Boy’s Team and Tournament Director of our Grand Finale. |
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The SJGA Championships had wonderful support from High School Coaches of both Boys and Girls Teams. On the first tee they discuss how to pick up the first 18 hole scorecards to immediately post to the leaderboard. Everyone worked effectively to make our event run smoothly and have 130 participants keep up a spirited pace of play. |
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Scott Riley, from Stevenson HS, was one of a large number of players who registered individually. Everyone competed against players from selected teams in our unique format. Scott ended up shooting 72-74 – 146 and earned a place on the SJGA ALL-STAR TEAM. |
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Chris Drake, Coach of the 2011 Torrey Pines State Champion Girls Team, accepts the “Maverick Invitational“ Boy’s Winners Plaque in his new role as Head Men’s Coach. The Falcons were lead by Jay Hwang, last year’s winner who shared the title in 2011.
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Katherine Guo, a junior at Arcadia HS, had a busy two days. She shot 74-77-151 to finish second and earn a spot on the SJGA GIRLS ALL-STAR TEAM. She also partnered with Las Vegas entrepreneur Billy Weinberger in the Sunday Junior/Amateur. She was one of many individuals that played 54 holes over our two day event.
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Ramona High School was the runner-up in the “Maverick Invitational.” Both winning teams and runners-up were presented with plaques and medals for their team efforts. This special event featured 15 teams from Southern California.
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AND THE WINNERS WERE...
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2011 Boy's Scholastic Co-Champions
Jay Hwang &
Garrett Cypher
Morgan Run Club & Resort
Rancho Santa Fe, California
Score: 141 (1 under par) |
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2011 Girl's Scholastic Champion
Georgia Lacey
Morgan Run Club & Resort
Rancho Santa Fe, California
Score: 149 (5 over par) |
