2013 preview: 10 junior golf storylines to watch
In 2012, the likes of Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn on the girls side, not to mention Matt NeSmith on the boys side, provided plenty of fireworks.
Who will make a name for themselves over the next 365 days? Our Cassie Stein breaks down 10 storylines to watch heading into 2013:
• • •
GIRLS
1. Who will be the next girl’s junior superstar after the departure of the Thai super sisters, Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn?
There are a few girls vying for the elusive spot of No. 1. A few names to be thrown out there are Nicole Morales and Shannon Aubert, but there are some younger girls coming up the ranks, too, such as Samantha Wagner and Andrea Lee.
• • •
2. Who will make the Ping Junior Solheim Cup Team?
A Solheim Cup year also means a Ping Junior Solheim Cup will take place, too. It will be played Aug. 13-14 at the Inverness Golf Club in Denver, Colo., just prior to the professionals. Will the 2013 high school graduates be able to participate? If so, Team USA is stacked.
• • •
3. Where will Shannon Aubert give a verbal commitment?
With her solid play all throughout her junior career, all the big-time schools ...
Wang, Villalobos lead after two rounds of World Junior Challenge
Robin Wang, Maria Alejandra Villalobos and Sam Jung are out in front heading into Sunday's final round of the CJGA World Junior Challenge at Innisbrook.
Wang, of Lake Mary, Fla., leads the boys 15-19 division by one shot over Jose Mendez and Renato Paratore. Wang is currently 2 over for the tournament after a 2-over 73 Saturday on the Island Course.
Villalobos fired a 1-over 72 to take a seven-stroke lead in the girls division at 5 over.
Jung, of Chantilly, Va., shot even-par 71 on the Copperhead Course to take a two-shot lead over Sachin Kumar in the boys 14-and-under division. Jung is 1 over for the tournament.
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn simply dominates
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 1? None other than Thailand native Ariya Jutanugarn.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
1. Ariya Jutanugarn (Bangkok, Thailand)
The resume: She was the 2012 Rolex Player of the Year and was named a first team Rolex Junior All-America. She finished the season at No. 1 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings. Jutanugarn won the Junior PGA Championship, the Thunderbird International Junior and the Rolex Girls Junior Championship by an 18-shot margin. She was a semifinalist at both the U.S. Girls’ Junior (stroke-play medalist, too) and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships. She won the AJGA Polo Junior Golf Classic (stroke play co-medalist honors, too).
Commentary: Without question, Jutanugarn was the No. 1 player in girl’s junior golf this year. The way she dominated fields was ...
Sen among leaders at World Junior Challenge after opening-round 71
Cao Sen may not be the oldest and most experienced player in the World Junior Challenge field, but on Friday, he shot the lowest score.
Sen, a Lake Mary, Fla., native, shot 1-under 71 on the Island Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club to take the first-round lead in the boys 14-and-under division. Sen, who made a tournament-high five birdies in the opening round, leads Sachin Kumar of Trinidad and Tobago by a shot.
Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ontario, leads the girls division after carding a 3-over 75 on the Island Course. She holds a one-stroke advantage over Maria Alejandra Villalobos of Gainesville, Fla., and Hana Furuichi of Orlando, Fla.
“It was cold this morning and a little hard to get going,” Costabile said. “I tried not to worry about my bogeys. I knew there were birdie holes coming up and that allowed me to stay confident.”
There is a three-way tie for first place in the boys 15-19 division as Italy's Renato Paratore, and Lake Mary's Robin Wang and Jerry Zhu all find themselves at 1 over after opening-round 72s on the Copperhead Course.
There are 11 players within two shots of the lead, including notables ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 2 Alison Lee
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 2? None other than California native Alison Lee.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
2. Alison Lee (Valencia, Calif.)
The resume: Lee had four top-five AJGA finishes in the 2012 season, including wins at the Annika Invitational and The Ping Invitational. The first team Rolex All-America finished No. 2 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings. In USGA championships, she was runner-up at the U.S. Girls’ Junior, was one of three amateurs to make the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open and made it to match play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She represented Team USA at the Junior Ryder Cup and played on the West Team for the AJGA Wyndham Cup.
Commentary: If you could say there is a first second place winner, A ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 3 Casey Danielson
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 3? None other than Wisconsin native Casey Danielson.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
3. Casey Danielson (Osceola, Wis.)
The resume: Danielson, who finished No. 3 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings, had five top-10 finishes in the AJGA in 2012. She was a Rolex Junior All-America as she helped Team USA win the Junior Ryder Cup and the East Team claim the AJGA Wyndham Cup. She was a quarterfinalist at the Polo Junior Golf Classic and made it to the round of 16 at the U.S Girls’ Junior Championship. She also represented the USA at the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy in Scotland.
Commentary: This is your All-American girl right here. If you needed to pick someone to represent your country, Danielson would be the one ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 4 Ashlan Ramsey
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 4? None other than Georgia native Ashlan Ramsey.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
4. Ashlan Ramsey (Milledgeville, Ga.)
The resume: The U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links runner-up, finished No. 5 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings. Ramsey finished in the round of 32 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur. The first team Rolex Junior All-America had six top-10 finishes in the AJGA. She was also the runner-up at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship.
Commentary: I got the chance to watch Ramsey play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links in June. Her nickname is the ‘Silent Assassin’ on the course and you can see why. She stays very quite and keeps to herself most of the time on ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 5 Nicole Morales
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 5? None other than New York native Nicole Morales.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
5. Nicole Morales (South Salem, N.Y.)
The resume: Morales, who finished No. 8 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings, had four AJGA top-10 finishes, including a win at the Genesis Junior Open and a runner-up finish at the TaylorMade-adidias Golf Junior at Innisbrook hosted by Sean O’Hair. Morales finished as a semifinalist at the Polo Junior Golf Classic and made the round of 32 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. The first team Rolex Junior All-America represented the East Team at the AJGA Wyndham Cup.
Commentary: The feisty New Yorker had her biggest summer of her junior career, which probably carried over from her 2011 Polo Junior Golf Classic win. Her ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 6 Annie Park
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 6? None other than New York native Annie Park.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
6. Annie Park (Levittown, N.Y.)
The resume: No. 11 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings, Park was a 2012 quarterfinalist at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. She finished twice inside the top-five in the 2012 AJGA season, including a runner-up finish at The Ping Invitational. A second team Rolex Junior All-America, she made it to match play at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and played on the East Team at the Wyndham Cup.
Commentary: Another good player I got to watch at the Women’s Pub Links. Her game is solid, all-around, and will help the University of Southern California women’s team come January (she is graduating ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 7 Karen Chung
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 7? None other than New Jersey native Karen Chung.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
7. Karen Chung (Livingston, N.J.)
The resume: Team USA Junior Ryder Cup player, Chung, had three top-10 AJGA finishes, including a runner-up finish at the Rolex Tournament of Champions. She also represented the East Team at the Wyndham Cup. No. 12 Golfweek girls junior rankings, Chung made it to the round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links and the U.S. Women’s Amateur championships. She made match play at the U.S. Girls’ Junior.
Commentary: Chung’s highlights were her runner-up at Rolex TOC and Rolex Girls Junior Championship. She may have been lower on the list if it hadn’t been for her play at the ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 8 Sam Wagner
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 8? None other than Florida native Sam Wagner.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
8. Sam Wagner (Windermere, Fla.)
The resume: The first-team Rolex Junior All-America, Wagner, represented Team USA at the Junior Ryder Cup and the East Team at the Wyndham Cup. No. 14 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings, she had seven top-20 finishes on the AJGA, including a victory at the Exide Technologies Junior Open presented by Mizuno. She finished runner-up at the Junior PGA Championship.
Commentary: The Class of 2015 star has a lot of game for such a young gun. She both succeeded and faltered in her first tournament of the year; her second round of the Annika Invitational was a 67, her final round was a 81. But her win at the Exide ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 9 Moriya Jutanugarn
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 9? None other than Thai sensation Moriya Jutanugarn, who has turned pro and won LPGA Q-School two weeks ago.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
9. Moriya Jutanugarn (Bangkok, Thailand)
The resume: Jutanugarn, winner of the 2012 Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament, played in the U.S. Women’s Open. She had two AJGA top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship. Jutanugarn made it to match play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Commentary: Tough to put her this low on the list, but she didn’t play too many junior events to rank her higher. When she did, she was a threat on the course. She defended her title at the Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament, and got the chance to play in the U ...
Top junior girls of 2012: No. 10 Esther Lee
From Ariya Jutanugarn's dominating performance at the Concession Golf Club to her older sister Moriya making her way through LPGA Q-School, 2012 was a year to remember for girls junior golf.
Over the course of 10 days, we will bring you the top 10 players of the year starting at No. 10 and ending with the player who we think had the most impressive season.
Who's No. 10? None other than California native Esther Lee. And, for a bonus today, we've also thrown in three Honorable Mentions, including Casie Cathrea, Shannon Aubert and Andrea Lee.
Check out the full series by clicking here.
• • •
10. Esther Lee (Los Alamitos, Calif.)
The resume: Lee was a member of Team USA at the Junior Ryder Cup and the West Team at the Wyndham Cup. Lee finished No. 4 in the Golfweek girls junior rankings. The first team Rolex Junior All-America, played five AJGA events, and finished in the top-10 each time. She earned co-medalist honors at the Polo Junior Golf Classic.
Commentary: A player who went 5-for-5 at AJGA Invitationals in finishing inside of the top-10. E. Lee finished 3-0 at the Junior Ryder Cup helped her cause, too. She ...
Sea Pines Junior Heritage to return in 2014
The Sea Pines Junior Heritage will return in 2014 after a one-year hiatus. It was announced in October that the tournament on Hilton Head Island, S.C., would not be played in 2013, after more than two decades as one of the most prestigious junior events in the country.
In addition to the 2014 event marking the return of the tournament, Sea Pines has announced that the date will coincide with the unveiling of its new clubhouse at the Heron Point and Ocean golf courses. The tournament is played on Harbour Town Golf Links and Heron Point by Pete Dye.
“We’re thrilled about the return of the Sea Pines Junior Heritage in early 2014,” said Cary Corbitt, director of operations of The Sea Pines Resort. “The renovations taking place at our resort will only enhance what is already a premier nationally ranked junior event.”
The Junior Heritage will be played Feb. 1-2, 2014. Chase Koepka and Ashlan Ramsey won the boys and girls titles, respectively, in 2012. Other past champions include current touring pros Charles Howell III, Sean O’Hair, Kyle Stanley, Lexi Thompson and Paula Creamer.
Information from Sea Pines Resort used in this report
Little Linksters is looking for the best pee-wee golf swing
Little Linksters, LLC along with Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development and The Littlest Golfer, Inc. launched the 3rd annual youth swing contest on Dec. 10. They are looking for the best pee-wee, ages 3-8 years old, golf swings in the world.
“In our first two years we were very excited to have such a successful launch of what we want to continue to grow into an annual showcase of what very young golfers are capable of doing” explained Little Linkster’s, LLC and Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development (501c3) founder, PGA Professional Brendon Elliott.
Brendon Elliott who is a 2010 & 2011 US Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teacher and the 2011 & 2012 NFPGA Junior Golf Leader award winner will lead the judging. Assisting will be a celebrity judges including Paula Creamer, a LPGA major champion, Win McMurry, Golf Channel personality, Nicole Weller, PGA and LPGA professional and Chuck Evans, top 100 instructor.
The contest will run from Dec. 10 through Jan. 15. The winners will be announced at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Jan. 26-28.
Information from the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development was used in this report
Recent Girls Junior Golf Videos
37th Junior PGA: Tournament recap
A look back at the 2012 Junior PGA at Sycamore Hills in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
37th Junior PGA: Championship recap
Our Julie Williams breaks down the Junior PGA titles won by Robby Shelton (boys) and Ariya Jutanugarn (girls) at Sycamore Hills in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
37th Junior PGA: Day 3 recap
Golfweek.com's Julie Williams breaks down the third day of competition at Sycamore Hills Country Club in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
37th Junior PGA: Day 2 recap
Golfweek.com's Julie Williams breaks down the leaderboard at the 37th Junior PGA Championship in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship
Lance Ringler interviews Hunter Mahan at the Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship
18 holes with Katelyn Dambaugh
This Pinewood Prep sophomore is not intimidated by the male-dominated field. Golfweek.com follows the 2010 U.S. Girls' Junior runner-up through her qualifying round at the Palmetto High School Golf Championship.
Golfweek Junior Series at Longbow: Highlights
Longbow proved to be a challenge for some, but others stepped up their game in order to qualify for the Golfweek Junior Invitational.
Golfweek Jr: 18 Holes with Paige Spiranac
Paige Spiranac has already qualified for the Golfweek Junior Invitational, but says that taking on Longbow is a personal challenge.
18 holes with Trisha Witherby
Trisha Witherby is competing in the Golfweek Junior Series at Willbrook plantation. Golfweek.com followed the 2009 Indiana state champion throughout her opening round.
Golfweek Jr. Series: Day 1 at Pine Needles
Cold rain and wind was the story of the day at the Golfweek Junior Series at Pine Needles. See how players weathered the storm.
Golfweek.com's SAT Challenge
Asher Wildman challenges the college-bound players at the Golfweek Junior Series at Longbow Country Club in Mesa, Ariz., to see if they're ready to take on the SATs.
Recent Girls Junior Golf Galleries
Annika Invitational: Final Round, in pictures
Bethany Wu won while setting a tournament record.
2013 AJGA Annika Invitational
Take a look at some Instagram photos from the AJGA Annika Invitational at Reunion Resort - Watson course.
Photo Gallery: Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn
View images of Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand, photographed by Golfweek during 2012.
Annika Invitational: Final Round, in pictures
View images from the final round of the Annika Invitational at Reunion Resort on Monday.
Annika Invitational: Round 2, in pictures
View images of the 2012 Annika Invitation at Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla. Alison Lee and Samantha Wagner are tied for the lead.
The Golfweek Junior Invitational
A look at many top-ranked junior golfers at Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.
Ariya Jutanugarn, Rolex POY
Ariya Jutanugarn was named the AJGA's Rolex Player of the Year after a 2011 season that included wins at the U.S. Girls' Junior and Junior PGA Championship.
63rd U. S. Girls' Junior Finals
Ariya Jutanugarn and Dottie Ardina hit the South Course at Olympia Fields for the Final Round of the U. S. Girls' Junior.
63rd U. S. Girls' Junior, Quarters & Semis
View images from the U. S. Girls' Junior in Olympia Fields, IL, outside Chicago. A weather delay lengthened play during the Quarterfinals.
63rd U.S. Girls' Junior, Rounds of 32 & 16
A look at the action at Olympia Fields.
63rd U.S. Junior Girls, Match Play
A look at the first day of match play at Olympia Fields.
A unique look at the Girls' Junior
Using the iPhone application, Instagram, and the iPhone 3Gs camera, Golfweek photographer, Tracy Wilcox, captured a variety of images during the tournament. Instagram is an application which allows you to shoot pictures, apply a variety of filters and share with friends.
63rd U.S. Girls Junior Championship
A look at the action at Olympia Fields for the U.S. Girls Junior Championship.
Annika Invitational (Final Rd.)
Celine Boutier of the French national team won the 2011 Annika Invitational by two strokes over Doris Chen at Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla.
Annika Invitational (Rd. 1)
Thirteen countries are represented including the United States at the 2011 Annika Invitational at Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla.
Annika Invitational (Final Round)
Victoria Tanco won the Annika Invitational Feb. 15 by three shots over Laetitia Beck.
Annika Invitational (Rd. 2)
Victoria Tanco made seven birdies and one bogey to shoot a 66 and tie Laetitia Beck for the second-round lead at the Annika Invitational.
Annika Invitational (Round 1)
Laetitia Beck took the first-round lead Saturday at the Annika Invitational at Reunion Resort. Annika Sorenstam held a clinic for the participants of the event at her academy after the round.
Harder Hall Women's Invite (Final Round)
Players battled freezing temperatures and cold rain Saturday during the final round of the Harder Hall Women's Invitational in Sebring, Fla. Kyle Roig walked away with the victory after beating Alexis Thompson on the first hole of a playoff.
Mallory Code graduates from Florida
Mallory Code graduated from the University of Florida on Aug. 8, 2009.
U. S. Junior Final Round
Amy Anderson and Jordan Spieth hoisted the hardware Saturday after winning the U.S. Junior.
U. S. Junior semifinals
Semifinal action at the U. S. Junior Amateur Championships at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
