Palm Harbor, FL (December 30, 2016) – Gusty winds and chilly temperatures greeted junior golfers today at the final round of the 24th annual CJGA World Junior Challenge at Innisbrook Golf Resort. The competition was fierce has three of the seven divisions required extra holes to determine a champion.
Junior Boys (U19)
Mitchell Davis of Valparaiso, IN outlasted Ziga Strasek of Slovenia in a four-hole playoff after the two players were locked in a tie after the final round with a tournament total of 230. “I feel good. I know not everyone played that well but I’m glad I won” said Davis who played in his first CJGA World Junior Challenge last year. “It was a lot of fun (playing the event). A lot of good competition and beautiful courses.”
Juvenile Boys (U17)
Alexander Yang of Carlsbad added another CJGA title to his resume after beating Nathan Han of Somers, NY in a playoff only lasting one hole. Yang who won the CJGA PING Canadian Match Play Championship earlier this year shot a final round score of 72 (+1) to force the playoff. The road to the title was a long one for Yang who needed to climb over nine players after his round one result. “I wanted to stay aggressive today and try not to play too conservative cause I knew I had to catch the leaders” said Yang after his round.
Junior Girls (U19)
Sweden’s Louise Henningsson captured the Junior Girls title on the north course today after beating Sarah-Eve Rheaume of Lac De Lage, QC in the final playoff of the day. Henningsson unfazed by the cool and gusty winds relied heavily on her driver on the final day shooting 84 (+13). “I like the course. The whole course was tricky with such small fairways and greens. It made it difficult” said an elated Henningsson.
Bantam Boys (U15)
Tony Chen of Australia turned in another stellar round today on the North course capturing the Bantam boys division. Chen, who ended the tournament 4 under par, went wire to wire in the win. “It was great honour to play here and it was first time and first win in America” said Chen. After holing out on hole 13 for an eagle Chen felt the momentum swing his way. “When I saw Andrew put it next to the hole I knew I had to do something. It just happened to go in.” Finishing in the runner up position was Andrew Jung of San Diego, CA who also turned in an excellent performance with a tournament total of 215 (+2).
Bantam Girls (U15)
Going wire to wire to capture the Bantam Girls title was Ffion Tynan of Wales shooting 83 (+12) on her final round for a tournament total of 243. “It was a really hard day cause the wind was swirling after every shot so choosing the right club was important all the time” said Tynan outside the scoring tent. Ashley Chow of North York, ON finished second after posting a final round score of 85 and tournament total 261.
Peewee Boys (U13)
Tiger Christensen of Germany also went wire to wire capturing the Peewee title in his first appearance at the CJGA World Junior Challenge. With rounds of 70, 80, 74, and a tournament total 224 (+11), Christensen fended off Gonzalo Oliva Pinto of Argentina who finished runner up with a tournament total of 227.
Peewee Girls (U13)
Nicole Gal of Oakville, ON was the only Canadian to capture a division title after she beat Andrea Woods of Riverview, FL. With the two girls jockeying for position on the North course today, Gal secured her win with a final round of 86 (+15) and tournament total of 260.
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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