TOURNAMENT RECAPS
* IJGT at Tucson National

Ryan Brooks of Mesa, Ariz., followed his 2-under 71 with an even-par 73 Dec. 15 to win the boys 13-19 division of the IJGT Tucson National.

Jake Yount of Danville, Calif., carded 71 in his final round for a 146 total and a second-place finish.

In the girls division, Amber Lundskog of San Diego posted a final-round 76 to secure the title by seven strokes.

Julianna Uhrik of Modesto, Calif., vaulted into second place by improving five shots in her second round (75).

Devin Miertschin of El Paso, Texas, broke out of a four-person tie for first place in the boys 11-12 division with 74.

Miertschin's 150 total was one shot better than Andrew Yun of University Place, Wash., who shot 75 Sunday to finish alone in second.

Jenna Moore of Renton, Wash., secured the girls 11-14 title with rounds of 78-85 for a three-shot victory over Kristen Schelling and Ashley McKenney.
- For complete results visit www.golfweek.com/amateur/

* FCWT Thunderbird Junior Invitational

Ricky Romano of Murietta, Calif., posted a bogey-free 65 Dec. 15 to come from four shots behind and win the FCWT Thunderbird Junior Invitational.

"After shooting 76 in the first round, including a triple bogey on the first hole, I told myself I needed a 67 on Sunday to win,'' said Romano, who exceeded even his own expectations Sunday. "I've learned to just play my own game and not think about anyone else out there. That's basically what I did today."

John Kelly of St. Louis, Mo., claimed the runner-up spot with a 4-under 212 total.

In the girls division, Tiffany Tavee (69) and Ki-Shui Liao (70) finished tied at even-par 216, but it didn't take long to decide a winner.

Liao, a sophomore from Alameda, Calif., birdied the first playoff hole to capture the title.
- For complete results visit www.golfweek.com/amateur/

PILLER: FROM THE CART PATH
WITHOUT HONESTY, GOLF SUFFERS

When we introduce our children to golf, we instill golf's moral code in them at the same time we teach them the basics of the swing. We tell them that cheating is a far worse transgression than hitting a bad shot or losing a tournament. We encourage them to learn the Rules just as they learn the basics of the swing and course management.
- For more, visit www.golfweek.com/juniorgolf/

NEWS AND NOTES
* The Malaysian Golf Association is trying to reverse the trend of some golf clubs by opening its doors to juniors.

The MGA is seeking the government's help in creating a rule that will make it mandatory for all Malaysian clubs to support development programs.

''One of the means we have discussed with the sports ministry is to get all clubs to agree to open their premises for junior development programs,'' said MGA vice president Datuk Zain Yusuf. ''In the end of the day, it is the club that benefits, because these juniors will most probably become members in the future.''

Danny Chia, who is a product of the MGA junior program, became the first Malaysian to win an Asian PGA title in October.

* The South Carolina Junior Golf Association named Zach Siefert the Jay Haas Player of the Year. The association's highest honor (for boys) is awarded to South Carolina's top-ranked player in the Dec. 1 issue of the Heritage Classic rankings.

The rankings are based on overall finishes in tournaments across South Carolina and nationwide.

Siefert started the year in fifth place with 451 points. The senior from Simpsonville battled Columbia's Warren Thomas all season and overtook the No. 1 position in November with the SCJGA Players Championship title and a top-5 finish at the AJGA Polo Junior Classic.

Siefert has committed to play golf at Clemson in the fall.

In the girls division, SCJGA named Laura Crawford the Beth Daniel Player of the Year. Crawford began the year in fourth place with 892 points. She took over the top spot in August thanks to a very strong summer season. The junior from Lancaster finished the year 456 points clear of Chapin's Dinah Plyler.

* This will be the final newsletter for 2002. The first Junior Newsletter of '03 will be published Jan. 8.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Name: Jennie Lee
Age: 16
Golfweek/Titleist Ranking: 8^th (as of Dec. 16)
Residence: Huntington Beach, Calif.
The Skinny: Lee started playing golf when she was 8 and credits her brother Daniel, who plays at the University of New Mexico, for introducing her to the game.

''He played a lot and I ended up liking it,'' said Lee, a member of the class of 2005.

Lee says that her most memorable tournament was the 2002 AJGA ClubCorp Junior at Mission Hills, where she finished at 1 under and won in a playoff over Allison Martin.

She says she enjoys golf because: ''It's fun and exciting and you have to think about what you need to do all the time.''

When off the course, however, Lee enjoys relaxing with Angela Park (a friend who is currently ranked No. 5). ''I like watching TV and staying at home and I also like Saturday Night at the Movies.''

When asked what professional tournament she would like to watch in 2003: ''I don't like watching golf. I like to play it. So I guess I would like to play in the Nabisco Championship. I like that tournament because you can jump in the water if you win.''

Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index (as of Dec. 16)
BOYS
1. Eddie Peckels 68.26
2. Niklas Lemke 69.37
3. Oscar Floren 69.51
4. Farren Keenan 69.66
5. Robert Gates Jr. 69.66
6. Brendon Todd 69.73
7. Kevin Larsen 69.96
8. Zack Siefert 69.96
9. Philip Pettitt Jr. 69.97
10. Ben Leong 70.35
- For complete rankings, visit www.golfweek.com/juniorgolf/ratings/boys.asp

GIRLS
1. Paula Creamer 69.45
2. Ashley Knoll 70.53
3. Allison Martin 70.77
4. Miki Saiki 70.77
5. Angela Park 71.26
6. Nicole Hage 71.26
7. Cindy Shin 71.26
8. Jennie Lee 71.26
9. Brittany Lang 72.24
10. Carmen Alonso 72.24
- For complete rankings, visit www.golfweek.com/juniorgolf/ratings/girls.asp

RECRUITING CENTRAL
Questions frequently asked regarding the NCAA's core-course requirement for freshman typically concern courses taken in the eighth-grade as well as requirements for home-schooled students.

The NCAA rules state that courses taken in the eighth-grade my not be used to satisfy the core-course requirement, and students in home-schooling programs will need to have their transcript analyzed by the NCAA Committee on Initial-Eligibility Waivers. The NCAA's membership services department can provide more detailed information regarding home schooling.
- For more college recruiting information, visit the Ping American College Golf Guide at www.collegegolf.com/.

CORRECTION
Anna Schaefer shot 79-78-74 to take home top honors in the girls 11-19 division Dec. 1 at the IJGT at TPC at Sawgrass, winning by nine strokes over Ashlen Christie.

UPCOMING EVENTS
* IJGT
Jan. 2-5 -- Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, S.C.

* The Junior Tour
Dec. 21-23 -- Lake Las Vegas Resort, Las Vegas
Dec. 28-30 -- El Conquistador Resort, Tucson, Ariz.
Jan. 3-5 -- Golf Club of New Orleans
Jan. 3-5 -- PGA West/La Quinta (Calif.) Resort

* FCWT
Dec. 26-28 -- FCWT Jr. Open at TPC Woodlands, Houston
Dec. 26-28 -- FCWT Grand Haven Junior Classic, Grand Haven, Palm Coast, Fla.
Dec. 29-31 -- FCWT Gator Junior, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

* PARS
Dec. 26-31 -- Doral Resort (Blue/White), Miami

* Plantations
Dec. 21-22 -- Iron Gloves PJGT Phoenix Open, Legacy Golf Resort, Phoenix
Jan. 4-5 -- AHEAD Lowcountry Junior Classic, Kiawah Island Resort, S.C.

* Texas Junior Golf Tour
Dec. 28-29 -- Barton Creek Tournament, Austin, Texas

* Canadian Junior GA
Dec. 27-30 -- 10th World Junior Challenge, Palm Coast (Fla.) Resort

* Independent events
Dec. 20-22 -- Innisbrook Christmas, Innisbrook Resort, Tampa, Fla.
Dec. 20-23 -- Doral/Publix Junior Classic, Miami
Dec. 26-28 -- Donald Ross Junior Championship, Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort
Dec. 27-30 -- Junior Orange Bowl International, Biltmore Golf Club, Coral Gables, Fla.

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.

Have a question about the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index? E-mail rankings@golfweek.com.