Cameron Champ still looking for break through win
When Cameron Champ is feeling pressure down the stretch, he doesn’t hide from it.
Champ hopes to harness it.
“If I’m in that position (of being in the hunt with a few holes to go), I have to try and control my adrenaline,” Champ said. “I hit it pretty far so when I have that adrenaline going, I can hit extra long. If I can control that in a positive way, I can play well.”
The California native hopes he’s put in that situation on June 3 when he plays in the 2013 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying in Newport Beach, Calif.
But if he doesn’t, no big deal.
“I have nothing to lose. For me, you either qualify or you don’t and you can try again next year,” Champ said. “But to make the U.S. Open, for most people that’s a dream come true in itself. It would be a big deal for me if I play well and qualify. It would be one of the greatest experiences of my life if I never turn pro.”
Champ advanced to sectional qualifying after finishing second in the Chico, Calif., local qualifier. The Texas ...
AJGA supports USGA, Rule 14-1B
The AJGA sent out a statement regarding the USGA and R&A’s adoption of Rule 14-1B. It is as follows:
“The American Junior Golf Association, its Board of Directors, full- and part-time staff and membership of nearly 6,000 of golf’s next generation recognize the Rules-making authority of the USGA to govern the game of golf in America. By recognizing this authority, the AJGA has always, and will continue to, strictly follow any Rule change deemed necessary by the USGA.”
In 2012, the AJGA collected data from June 18 to October 30 from juniors on the anchored putting stroke. The data showed that 98.1% (5,650 players) of players did not use an anchoring stroke, while only 1.9% (111 players) of them did. These numbers were based 5,761 juniors that played during that time, although some players may have been counted twice.
Zachary Bauchou's short game pays off in recent tournaments
Multiple juniors have advanced through U.S. Open local qualifying and will play in Sectional qualifying on June 3 at various golf courses around the country. But for Zachary Bauchou, he will always remember his first.
After three tries in as many years, Bauchou of Forest, Va., advanced after shooting a 1-under 71 to share medalist honors at Upper Marlboro, Md., on May 14.
At one point, Bauchou had it to 3 under through 11 holes at the 7,050-yard Lake Presidential Golf Club. He knew all he had to do was par in, as the course was playing long due to heavy rains the previous day. Instead, Bauchou made bogeys on Nos. 5 and 7 (he started on the back nine), but he still finished the day under par.
Bauchou, ranked No. 2 in the class of 2015 Golfweek/Sagarin Junior Rankings, struggled just prior to his local qualifying start. He shot rounds of 80-74-80 at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley to finish in a tie for 41st.
“I went into the Junior Invitational thinking that my ball striking needed a little work,” Bauchou said. ". . . When in fact, nothing was working well and you’ll make high scores ...
AJGA's Thunderbird to host top Americans with international flavor
The AJGA’s Thunderbird International Junior is set to take place May 25-27 at Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor course in Scottsdale, Ariz.
For the 13th consecutive year, the Thunderbird will boast a good field of homegrown American players along with an international mix.
In the boys and girls divisions, 13 countries – Australia, Chile, China, England, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Sweden and the United States – will be represented. India, South Korea, Thailand, and Zimbabwe, will also be recognized, but those players live in the States.
New champions will be crowned this year as Max Orrin of England and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand will not be back to defend their titles. Orrin is too old to participate as he turned 19 on May 13. He made history last year when he became the first international to win the boys division. Jutanugarn prevailed in a sudden-death playoff to become the fourth international girls champion. Jutanugarn turned professional in December and plays on the Ladies European Tour.
That doesn’t mean a former champion can’t regain the title this year. 2011 boys and girls champions Brad Dalke of McKinney, Texas, and Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J., look to ...
5 Questions: Henry Liaw, 2001 U.S. Junior champ
Henry Liaw earned the national spotlight after winning the 2001 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, but has since left the life of a professional golfer to spend time with his family and work as a head professional.
Here are five questions with the former champion:
• • •
1. What have you been involved with in the past few years?
“Right now, I’m the head pro at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon (in Beaumont, Calif.). I started being a golf pro, so I stopped playing toward the end of 2009, started working here and started doing the family thing. I have a 1-year-old kid and have been married for over six years now. I got married young. It’s dramatically different from being on the course and competing every single day. Life’s a little more even-keeled being at work. ”
• • •
2. What is your fondest memory from the 2001 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship?
“It feels like it was yesterday. The match that stood out the most was where I was playing Ryan Cochran. I was like six down and I ended up tying the match at 18 and winning on the 22nd hole. I remember telling myself after that ...
Player of the week: Carl Yuan
Carl Yuan won the Scott Robertson Memorial Golf Tournament on May 19 by three shots. Yuan, of Lake Mary, Fla., shot a three day total of 7-under 206 at Roanoke Country Club. He is ranked No. 7 in the class of 2015 Golfweek Rankings.
Barnoya, Jang claim Golfweek West Coast titles
Rafael Barnoya and Jiyoon Jang claimed titles May 19 at the Golfweek West Coast Junior Invitational. Barnoya rallied from the third position on the leaderboard entering the final round, while Jang defended her lead.
Barnoya, of Guatemala City, carded two birdies and no bogeys over his final nine holes and shot a 4-under 67 in Round 2 at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz. His 5-under 137 total left him two shots ahead of David Snyder of McAllen, Texas.
First-round leader J.T. Rodenkirch, a Mesa native, dropped from the first-round lead to a tie for 11th. He followed an opening 68 with a 77.
“I’ve been practicing very hard getting ready for this tournament,” Barnoya said. “I’ve been waiting for this one – it’s the best win I’ve had.”
Barnoya is a student at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, and was one of four Gilchrist students to land inside the top 10 on the Golfweek leaderboard.
“Putting is the best part of my game and I was able to make some good ones today,” he said. “I made three straight birdies on the front and that’s when I knew I could win.”
In the girls ...
The field: Golfweek Midwest Junior Invitational
The inaugural Golfweek Midwest Junior Invitational will take place June 13-14 at Cog Hill Country Club’s famed Dubsdread Course near Chicago.
As part of the Golfweek Junior Invitational Series, the Midwest event will be nationally rated by the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings and will be recognized by the AJGA, which is awarding eight performance stars to the winners, in addition to stars for the top 10 boys and top 5 girls.
If you are interested in playing, please send an email to Carlton Reese at creese@golfweek.com.
The Midwest Junior Invitational joins a series of national events headlined by the East Coast Junior Invitational and the West Coast Junior Invitational. Last year, the inaugural Golfweek New England Junior Invitational was played at Blue Hill Country Club near Boston.
BOYS
- Matthew Clark, Westchester, Ill.
- Conner Kuberg, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Michael Sass, Louisville, Ky.
- Ben Sattler, Liberty Township, Ohio
- Jack Goldenberg, Carmel, Ind.
- Drew Grundberg, Brentwood, Tenn.
- Nathan Pirtle, Sullivan, Ind.
- Chase Campbell, Fishers, Ind.
- Robert Canaday, Gallipolis, Ohio
- Matthew McCord, Titusville, Pa.
- Henry Hartmann, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Tyler Prentkowski, North Liberty, Ind.
- Nick Brady, Carol Stream, Ill.
- Alex Weiss, Pickerington, Ohio
- Ian Hardesty, Chardon, Ohio
GIRLS
- Kylie Raines, Dublin, Ohio
- Heather ...
Player of the week: Tyler Strafaci
Tyler Strafaci won the Florida Junior Tour tournament at Quail Ridge Country Club’s South course on May 12. Strafaci shot 73-67 to win the title by one shot. He was four shots back after the first round, which concluded on Sunday due to inclement weather on Saturday. It’s his third FJT win of the season.
Player of the week: Carson Young
Carson Young of Pendleton, S.C., claimed the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley title on April 28 in Graniteville, S.C., with a final round 2-under 70. Young, who will attend Clemson in the fall, dropped in long-range birdie putts on Nos. 16 and 18 to win by two shots over a quartet of players at 2-under. Young shot rounds of 72-70-70.
Player diary: Dalke reflects on 'outstanding' Sage Valley experience
This past week I played in the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in South Carolina. It is such an awesome tournament! We stayed in cottages on the property, everything was first-class and the food was outstanding!
Sage Valley is a private course about 20 minutes from Augusta, Ga. I played in this event last year, as well, and I'll have to admit, it has to be one of my favorite courses to play. It is in incredible shape, and is very secluded and beautiful. We got pretty lucky on the weather. We thought the last day was going to be rained out, but we were able to play through a few light showers.
I got 16th place with rounds of 73-78-72. I actually played really well. There were just a couple of holes that killed me the whole week. I also had a handful of three putts, but the greens at Sage Valley are very fast and undulating. My caddy for the second year in a row was Tony Ross. He is a very experienced caddy and helped me in many ways. He knows the course very well, and caddies at both Sage Valley and Augusta National. Thanks Tony ...
Ye Wocheng, 12, misses China Open cut on European Tour
Ye Wocheng, the 12-year-old who made history Thursday in becoming the youngest player to compete on the European Tour, shot consecutive 79s to miss the cut at the Volvo China Open in Tianjin, China.
At 12 years, 242 days, Wocheng broke the previous record held by Tianlang Guan, who was 13, 177 days when he played in the 2012 China Open. Guan made history at the 2013 Masters when he became the youngest to compete at 14 years old.
During two rounds, Wocheng made one birdie, 13 bogeys and one double bogey on the 7,378-yard layout at Binhai Lakes GC.
Only one amateur, Zecheng Dou, made the cut with rounds of 70-72. Dou is No. 199 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and made it to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2012. Dou missed all 28 fairways in the first and second round, but his scrambling stat of 31/36 is impressive.
Jim Liu of Smithtown, N.Y., No. 2 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Junior Rankings, finished at 3-over 147 to miss the cut by three shots. The Stanford signee fired a 7-over 77 in the first round, but bounced back with a ...
Coach, player on Michigan prep team die in van crash
GRAYLING, Mich. — The coach and a player on a Michigan high school boys' golf team were killed Monday when the team van collided with another vehicle on a rural road in the northern Lower Peninsula, according to news reports.
Coach Jason Potter, 30, and Louis Menard, 18, of the Grayling High School team were killed, according to Sgt. Don Bailey of the Michigan State Police, the Detroit News reported. Cassandra Stapleton of Kalkaska, traveling with her mother and daughter in another van, also died, Bailey told the News.
Four other Grayling golfers were listed in critical condition at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. The condition of the sixth Grayling golfer was not immediately available.
"It was pretty horrific," Michigan State Police Sgt. Don Bailey said of the crash in Kalkaska County's Excelsior Township, 25 miles east of Traverse City.
Bailey told The Associated Press that he came upon the crash shortly after it occurred about 11:30 a.m. Monday. He said he used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire in one of the vehicles.
"There were three ejections, and those bodies were laying around," he said.
The golf team was commuting to a tournament at ...
Carson Young plays 'smart' and lands Junior Invitational title
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. –- Carson Young’s smile came gradually. The 18-year-old was the last man standing at the end of a soggy Sunday at Sage Valley, during which half a dozen other players made a serious run at the Junior Invitational title. That Young had such a prestigious new line to add to his resume hadn’t quite sunk in as the final group walked to the scoring tent late in the afternoon.
Young, from nearby Pendleton, S.C., entered the final round as one of eight players within 2 shots of leader Sam Horsfield, and drew a spot in the next-to-last group. Sunday morning began with heavy downpours, and players were sent off the first and 10th tees. Play was stopped a half hour into the round as greens pooled with water. Play resumed after another half hour.
Young teed off in drizzly conditions and bogeyed his first two holes. He birdied the third hole and made his last bogey of the day at No. 5. He spent the early part of the day trailing Horsfield, and much of the rest of the afternoon trailing Robby Shelton, the top-ranked junior in the nation. Young didn’t slip into the ...
Sage Valley: Final-round tee times and groupings
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. -- Check out the final-round tee times at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. Tee times were moved up to split tees and an 8 a.m. start due to expected bad weather in the area.
Off No. 1
8 a.m.: Dominic Foos, Davis Riley, Patrick Kelly
8:10 a.m.: Jaime Lopez Rivarola, Aaron Wise, Gordon Neale
8:20 a.m.: Cameron Champ, Austen Truslow, Derek Castillo
8:30 a.m.: Thomas Lim, Matt Gilchrest, Kyle Sterbinsky
8:40 a.m.: Doug Ghim, Jorge Garcia, Peter Kim
8:50 a.m.: Jack Maguire, Greyson Sigg, Austin Connelly
9 a.m.: Matthew Fitzpatrick, Corey Pereira, Rico Hoey
9:10 a.m.: Sam Burns, Carson Young, Austin Langdale
9:20 a.m.: Sam Horsfield, Kristoffer Ventura, Robby Shelton
Off No. 10
8 a.m.: Emil Sogaard, Nicolo Galletti, Won Jun Lee
8:10 a.m.: Jeremy Grab, Tae Wan Lee, Jan Szmidt Jr.
8:20 a.m.: Alexander Matlari, Danny Guise, Ki Taek Lee
8:30 a.m.: Dylan Wu, Max Orrin, Adrej Bevins
8:40 a.m.: Jose Montano, Michael Pisciotta, Adam Woods
8:50 a.m.: Victor Wiggins, Carl Yuan, Alejandro Tosti
9 a.m.: Zachary ...
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