Written by Andrew Strom
The final regular season event of the 2010 TCGA Junior Tour had an amazing turn out. In all, 71 junior golfers "played where the pros play," our largest turnout of the season. En-Joie proved to be one of the hardest courses of the year, with only two players in the 13-15 and 16-18 breaking 80. Overall, it was a great tune up for the TCGA Junior Tour Championship next week.
D.J. Griffiths made it 4 for 4 with a 37 today on the back nine at En-Joie to take medalist honors in the 10-12 age group. After a bogey on the par 4 10th, D.J. threw in a birdie on 12, and pared his last three holes to secure a two stroke victory over Hogan Bendert. With just the Tour Championship left, it looks like Hogan Bendert will be tough to catch in the player of the year point race.
The 13-15 age group saw a new face in the winner's circle this week, Keenan Conrad. Both Keenan and Richard Pedro shot matching 80's. Keenan bounced back from a four over through four hole start with birdies on 5, 8 and 12. Richard also was four over through four, but had a 37 on the back nine to tie Keenan. A birdie of 5, the number one handicap hole, proved to be the difference maker in a card off between Keenan and Richard.
There was also a tie in the 16-18 age group atop the leaderboard between Cole Wheaton and Josh Jimenez. Both players recovered from tough front nine's to post some impressive numbers on the back nine. Again, the fifth hole proved to be the difference maker in the card off, with Cole making par, and Josh making a double bogey 7. Each player had three birdies and both should be able to make a run at the TCGA Junior Tour Championship title.
A special thanks goes out to Head Professional at En-Joie Michael Deuel for allowing us to have such a big field, as well as Rocco Greco for having the course in great shape. The TCGA Junior Tour Championship will be at Traditions at the Glen on August 9th and Vestal Hills on August 10th. Anyone can play regardless of point standing. Please call Traditions at the Glen to sign up. Remember, the championship is double points, so the player of the year point races are still up for grabs! There will also be a junior skills contest on August 4th at The Legends Golf Center, by the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex. It will be free of charge, with the 10-12 age group from 8am to 10am; 13-15 age group from 10am to 12pm; and the 16-18 age group from 12:30 to 2:30. No registration necessary, just show up!
| 10 - 12 Age Group | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.J. Griffiths | 37 |
| 2 | Hogan Bendert | 39 |
| 3 | Austin Smith | 45 |
| 4 | Thomas Davis | 49 |
| 5 | Garrett Krisko | 52 |
| 6 | Kyle Norton | 53 |
| 6 | Jared Reester | 53 |
| 8 | Colin Sabitus | 54 |
| 8 | Rusty Virkler | 54 |
| 10 | Alice Zhang | 55 |
| 13 - 15 Age Group | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keenan Conrad | 80 |
| 2 | Richard Pedro | 80 |
| 3 | James Zhang | 84 |
| 4 | Matt Ploutz | 87 |
| 5 | Nathan Cavaluzzi | 89 |
| 6 | Adam Blackwell | 90 |
| 6 | Lance Nealy | 90 |
| 8 | Nate Short | 91 |
| 8 | Ryan Mihok | 91 |
| 10 | Steven Novitsky | 92 |
| 10 | Paul Lavelle | 92 |
| 16 - 18 Age Group | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cole Wheaton | 77 |
| 2 | Josh Jimenez | 77 |
| 3 | Brian Legg | 80 |
| 4 | Brandon Gaydorus | 82 |
| 4 | Chad Baxter | 82 |
| 6 | Dillon MacGregor | 83 |
| 6 | Ian Kitchen | 83 |
| 6 | Jordan Smith | 83 |
| 9 | Justin Marca | 85 |
| 10 | Tony Giacovelli | 86 |