01.08.04
TOURNAMENT RECAPS
Event: Orange Bowl International Junior
Event: Doral-Publix Junior Classic Event: FCWT at TPC at Sawgrass Event: FCWT Junior Golf Shootout at ASU Event: FCWT Gator Junior Golf Shootout Event: IJGT at Sea Pines Resort Event: CJGA World Junior Challenge Event: Innisbrook Christmas Junior Classic Event: FCWT Junior Golf Invitational at The Woodlands Event: Donald Ross Junior Event: The Junior Tour at Lake Las Vegas Event: Arizona Silver Belle Championship
Course: Biltmore Golf Course
When: Dec. 27-30.
Where: Coral Gables, Fla.
Winners: Pablo Martin (69-70-73-64--276)/Esther Choe (67-68-74-75--284)
Runners-up: Randy Lowry (66-66-70-77--279)/Tiffany Chudy (72-67-73-73--285)
Skinny: Pablo Martin finally broke his second-place streak. The 17-year-old had a slew of runner-up finishes in 2003, but closed the year with an impressive victory Dec. 30 at the Orange Bowl International Junior.
Martin carded a final-round 7-under 64 at Biltmore Golf Course to overtake Randy Lowry in dramatic fashion. The Spaniard started the day 10 shots behind Lowry, but recorded 10 birdies on the Donald Ross layout to win by three.
In the girls division, Esther Choe held off a hard-charging Tiffany Chudy to win her second national junior title. Choe, 14, posted a 3-over 75 to edge her playing partner by one shot.
- For more, click here.
Course: Doral Golf Resort & Spa (White, Blue and Gold courses)
When: Dec. 21-23.
Where: Miami.
Winners: Miguel Cabrera-Bello (70-69-71--210)/Mallory Hetzel (68-71-72--211)
Runners-up: Jimmy Lytle (69-72-72--213)/Emma Cabrera-Bello (75-70-72--217)
Skinny: A two-stroke lead turned out to be more than Spain's Miguel Cabrera-Bello needed Dec. 23 at the Doral-Publix Junior Classic.
The Spaniard, who began the final round leading Jimmy Lytle by two, closed with 71 for a three-shot victory.
In the girls 16-18 division, Mallory Hetzel had an equally easy time finding the winner's circle. She shot rounds of 68-71-72 for a six-stroke victory over Emma Cabrera-Bello, sister of this year's boys champion.
- For complete results, click here.
Course: TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
When: Jan. 3-4.
Where: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Winners: Seath Lauer (71-76-147)/Brittany Nelson (74-78-152)
Runners-up: Kyle Hammond (73-76-149)/Elizabeth Alger (79-78-157)
Skinny: Seath Lauer moved to No. 35 in the rankings with his victory. ''I felt very comfortable over the ball and felt like I could get it close from anywhere,'' said Lauer who opened 71 and closed with a 4-over 76. Kyle Hammond moved to No. 86 with his finish.
- For complete results, click here.
Course: ASU Karsten Golf Course
When: Dec. 28-30.
Where: Tempe, Ariz.
Winners: Tim McKenney (70-69-70-209 )/Jennifer Johnson (74-76-73-223)
Runners-up: Cameron Tringale (69-71-73-213)/Christine Brijalba (77-77-76-230)
Skinny: Tim McKenney has played in two FCWT events this season, finishing runner-up in Tucson and winning the ASU event. In six rounds this season, his scoring average is 71.33. With Johnson's seven-shot victory she moved to No. 48 in the rankings.
- For complete results, click here.
Course: University of Florida Golf Course
When: Dec. 28-30.
Where: Gainesville, Fla.
Winners: Michael Tulacz (73-69-71-213)/Mayule Tomimbang (73-72-77-222)
Runners-up: Mike McMillan (71-71-71-213)/Tyrette Metzendorf (74-74-75-223)
Skinny: Tulacz and McMillan won thanks to solid closing rounds (71s). Tulacz's playoff victory moved him to No. 107 in the rankings while Tomimbang jumped to 28th.
- For complete results, click here.
Course: Harbour Town Golf Links (Ocean Course)
When: Jan. 2-4.
Where: Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Winner: Roger Furrer (74-69-69--212)
Runner-up: Michael Quagliano (73-72-72--217)
Skinny: Switzerland's Roger Furrer held off 2003 IJGT Player of the Year Michael Quagliano (No. 41) to capture his first IJGT title. Furrer closed with back-to-back rounds of 69 and was the only player to finish under par.
- For complete results, click here.
Course: The Golf Club at South Hampton/The King & Bear Golf Club
When: Dec. 28-30.
Where: St. Augustine, Fla.
Winner: Harris English (70-73-74--217)
Runner-up: Michael Gordy (72-75-74--221)
Skinny: Harris English captured his second World Junior Challenge title in as many years. His 1-over 217 total earned him the boys 14-16 title as well as the overall low score for the tournament.
- For complete results, click here.
Course: Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort
When: Dec. 20-22.
Where: Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Winners: Jeffery Dennis (71-70-76--217)/Dolores White (78-77-75--230)
Runners-up: Zack Sucher (73-74-73--220)/Tyrette Metzendorf (83-75-75--233), Hana Young (81-74-78--233)
- For complete results, click here.
Course: TPC at The Woodlands
When: Dec. 28-29.
Where: The Woodlands, Texas.
Winner: Michael Schachner (72-74-146)
Runner-up: Andrew Carroll (71-76-147)
- For complete results, click here.
Course: Pinehurst (N.C.) (No. 5)
When: Dec. 27-28.
Winner: Drew Weaver (70-70--140)
Runner-up: Jake Chominsky (70-71--141)
- For complete results, click here.
Course: Reflection Bay Golf Course
When: Dec. 20-22.
Where: Las Vegas.
Winner: Samuel Kim (71-69-75-215)
Runner-up: Daniel Miller (71-71-76-218)
- For complete results, click here.
Course: Wigwam Resort (Gold Course)
When: Dec. 28-30.
Where: Phoenix
Winner: Amie Cochran (75-71-72--218)
Runner-up: Stephanie Kono (74-76-70--220)
- For complete results, click here.
AJGA proof-of-age policy The American Junior Golf Association has implemented a new proof-of-age requirement. For the 2004 season, all participants must submit proper documentation before applying to AJGA tournaments or qualifiers.
''It just takes rumors and innuendoes out of the equation,'' said Paul Creamer, whose daughter, Paula, was named the AJGA Player of Year in 2003. ''I would think it's been coming because the quality of play is getting younger and the pressure on the kids is getting greater.''
Beth Reuter, the AJGA's vice president of player services, said the organization has heard concern from parents in the last few years and implemented the new rule as a means to protect the fields of their over 70 events.
helps preserve integrity
- For more, click here.
NEWS AND NOTES
* The AJGA's tournament in Greensboro, N.C., will have a new look in 2004.
FootJoy will be the event's title sponsor and the 2004 tournament will be played for the first time at the Davis Love III-designed Signature Course at Forest Oaks Country Club. The event, one of the circuit's oldest and most coveted titles, is now the FootJoy Boys Invitational and will be played June 14-18.
''We are excited about working with the AJGA and more specifically the Greensboro tournament so that the event remains one of the best junior golf competitions in the world,'' said FootJoy president Jim Connor.
AJGA Player of the Year Brian Harman easily won last year's event, finishing six shots clear of the field at Cardinal Golf and Country Club.
* Bridgewater Club in Noblesville, Ind., has been named the site of the 2005 Ping Junior Solheim Cup. The event, to be played Sept. 5-8 , features the top 12 juniors from the United States versus their European counterparts.
Bridgewater Club opened in September 2003 and is within 10 miles of Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indianapolis, site of the 2005 Solheim Cup which will be played the week after the Junior Solheim Cup.
* Hunter Hamrick of Montgomery, Ala., has been named the SJGT/Precept Male Player of the Year.
Hamrick, who received the SJGT Most Improved Player Award in 2002, played in 10 events in 2003, winning seven. In his three other tournaments he had two third-place finishes and one fifth place.
His victories include the Emerald Bay Junior Classic, Highland Oaks Junior Classic, Orchard Hills Junior Classic, Grand National Invitational, TPC Sawgrass Junior Classic, 2003 Tour Championship and UGA/AutoTrader.com Junior Invitational. Hamrick finished the year with a 74.55 stroke average and a low round of 67.
Whitney Frykman of Acworth, Ga., won the Female Player of the Year Award. Frykman, who is bound for Purdue University next fall, had three victories in 2003 (Emerald Bay Junior Classic, Huntsville Invitational and Girls Classic at Grand National) and a 78.30 stroke average. She was the tour's Most Improved Female Player in 2002.
* Short shots: Callaway Golf will sponsor two Canadian Junior Golf Association events in 2004. In addition to sponsoring the Callaway Golf Canadian Junior Masters, held at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario, Callaway also will support the Callaway Golf CJGA Quebec Junior Masters (Club de Golf Metropolitan in Anjou, May 29-30). . . . The SJGT announced that Dothan, Ala.-based Movie Gallery has agreed to become a corporate sponsor in 2004.
PLAYER TO WATCH Still, he is enjoying his final year on the junior circuit. At the Orange Bowl International Junior Dec. 29 the 17-year-old said the socializing that takes place on the practice putting green is ''the best part of the tournament.''
The soon-to-be Oklahoma State freshman rallied from 10 strokes behind to capture the boys division title by three. Luckily for Martin, OSU's colors are orange and black. The superstitious Spaniard says his mother insists the color yellow brings bad luck.
When he's not on the course, Martin enjoys reading J.R.R. Tolkien and listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Name: Pablo Martin
Age: 17
Golfweek/Titleist Ranking: 3rd (01.05.04)
Residence: Madrid, Spain
The Skinny: Pablo Martin knows what it takes to succeed as a professional. Last spring, he shared the lead at the PGA European Tour's Canarias Open De Espana after three rounds, shooting 67-66-64. A final-round 74, however, dropped Martin to 22nd. The Spaniard describes the pressure-packed play-for-pay ranks as ''another way to play golf.''
2003-04 Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index BOYS GIRLS
(as of 01.05.04)
1. Phillip Mollica -- 69.80
2. Randy Lowry -- 69.81
3. Pablo Martin -- 69.85
4. Brian Harman -- 69.89
5. Robert Riesen -- 70.04
6. Chanin Puntawong -- 70.19
7. Miguel Cabrera-Bello -- 70.49
8. David May -- 70.61
9. Tom Miles -- 70.73
10. Jonathan Moore -- 70.85
11. Zack Sucher -- 71.04
12. James Lee -- 71.18
13. Chris McCartin -- 71.20
14. Jon McLean -- 71.25
15. Jorge Campillo -- 71.44
16. Zack Byrd -- 71.54
17. Michael Schachner -- 71.68
18. Daniel Wax -- 71.94
19. Toby Ragland -- 72.02
20. Will Osborne -- 72.02
- For complete rankings, click here.
1. Jennie Lee -- 71.11
2. Mallory Hetzel -- 71.33
3. Angela Park -- 71.60
4. Julieta Granada -- 71.83
5. Esther Choe -- 72.28
6. Morgan Pressel -- 72.30
7. Adriana Zwanck -- 72.33
8. Mina Harigae -- 72.76
9. Emma Cabrera-Bello -- 72.89
10. Stephanie Kono -- 72.91
11. Tiffany Chudy -- 72.95
12. Paula Creamer -- 73.05
13. Brittany Lincicome -- 73.56
14. Sukjin-Lee Wuesthoff -- 73.82
15. Tiffany Joh -- 73.94
16. Azahara Munoz -- 74.18
17. Ki-Shui Liao -- 74.19
18. Sommer Scholl -- 74.27
19. Brittany Nelson -- 74.88
20. Stephanie Noser -- 75.08
- For complete rankings, click here.
RECRUITING CENTRAL
If a high school course is spread over two years, how does the NCAA count that toward the core-course requirement as applied to freshman eligibility? The NCAA rules state that a one-year course that is spread over a longer period of time (two years or three semesters) is considered as one course and would receive a maximum of one core-course credit.
- For more college recruiting information, visit the Ping American College Golf Guide at www.collegegolf.com/.
THIS WEEK IN GOLFWEEK
Check the Jan. 17 issue of Golfweek for our 2004 season preview.
POLL QUESTION
Which Q-School graduate will earn the most money on the PGA Tour in 2004?
Have a question about the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index? E-mail rankings@golfweek.com.
Have an interesting junior note to report, or know an interesting junior we can profile? E-mail Golfweek scoreboard editor Graham Elliott at gelliott@golfweek.com.