Palm Harbor, FL (December 28, 2016) – After an hour and half fog delay juniors took to North and Copperhead courses at Innisbrook Golf & Resort today as the first round of the 24th annual CJGA World Junior Challenge kicked off. Later in the day near perfect weather conditions were met with exceptional play for the over 160 juniors competing in the event.
Junior Boys (U19)
Alliston, ON native Taylor Beckstead opened the tournament shooting a 1 over par round (72) on the Copperhead Course to take the first round lead in the junior boys division. Beckstead put together a solid front nine firing a 34 (-2) then headed back to the clubhouse shooting 38 (+3) to take the early lead. Making the trip from Slovenia, Ziga Strasek sits two shots back shooting 74 (+3). Tying Strasek is Thomas Luger of Leawood, KS.
Juvenile Boys (U17)
Tianyu Wu of Howey-in-the-Hills, FL and James Imai of Brookline, MA lead a crowded leaderboard in the juvenile after firing solid rounds of 69 (-2) respectively. Three strokes back are Jim Cai of China, Agustin Segundo Oliva Pinto of Argentina, Logan Broyles of Mendon, VT and Nathan Han of Somers, NY after each them carded a score of 73 (+1).
Junior Girls (U19)
For the first time in tournament history Canadians sit first and second in the junior girls division after round 1. Lac De Lage, Quebec native Sarah Eve Rheaume posted a round of 73 (+2) while navigating the north course today. Four strokes back is Sydney Scraba of Calgary, AB after consistent nine hole scores of 38 and 39 for a total score of 77 (+6).
Bantam Boys (U15)
Tom McKibbin of United Kingdom and Tony Chen of Australia lead a crowded bantam boys division after shooting a pair of 68’s. Just one stroke behind the leaders sit Antoine Bieglé of France and Andrew Yong Jung of San Diego, CA after they shot rounds of 69 (-2).
Bantam Girls (U15)
Making the trip from Wales, Ffion Tynan leads the bantam girls division after posting a round of 81 (+10)
Defending champion and St-Cesaire, QC native Mathilde Denicourt sits tie in second place with Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, ON after they shot 86 +(15).
Peewee Boys (U13)
Tiger Christensen of Germany fired an opening round 70 (-1) to take the lead in the peewee boys division on the north course. After opening with a 36 (+2) front nine score, Christensen got it going on the back nine firing a 34 (-1) to get to under par for his round. CJGA veteran member, Alex Long of Toronto, ON continued his strong play this holiday season shooting 71 (E)
Peewee Girls (U13)
Rounding of day was the peewee girls division where Ella Wong of Pepper Pike, OH leads by one stroke over Nicole Gal of Oakville, ON after shooting 86 (+16).
The junior and juvenile boys will play the second round tomorrow on the Island Course while the junior girls; bantam boys; bantam girls, peewee boys and peewee girls will remain on the north course.
Tournament Information – CJGA World Junior Challenge
About Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort
Operated by Salamander Hotels & Resorts and owned by Sheila C. Johnson, Innisbrook is situated on 900 wooded acres of rolling hills in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and is located just 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport. The resort features 72 holes of championship golf, 550 spacious guest suites and rooms, four restaurants and three bars, the Innisbrook Golf Academy, 11 tennis courts, the luxury Indaba Spa with 12 treatment rooms and state-of-the-art Fitness Center, six heated swimming pool complexes, a nature preserve, and three conference halls with 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Part of Salamander’s Golf Collection, Innisbrook hosts the annual Valspar Championship presented by BB&T at its famed Copperhead Course. For additional information call 727.942.2000 or visit www.innisbrookgolfresort.com.
Canadian Junior Golf Association
The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is a “registered Canadian amateur athletic association” (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada. The CJGA is dedicated to providing Canada’s junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf.
Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit www.cjga.com.
The Canadian Junior Golf Association is generously supported by its National Partner, Freedom 55 Financial, which provides financial security advice and planning for Canadians.
For Additional Information:
John Lawrence
Tournament Director
Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA)
416-708-2438
john.lawrence@cjga.com
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