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IJGT at Wigwam Golf Club
SMITH CLAIMS TITLE WITH CONSISTENT PLAY
Galdiano Posts Back-to-Back Rounds Under Par for Impressive Victory
LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ — This weekend the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) traveled to The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa for their tournament on the famed Gold Course. This Robert Trent Jones design posed a challenging task for the entire field, and many rose to the occasion. Both days of competition were set under classic Arizona weather, with the temperature in the mid to high 80’s and a light breeze. The golf course was in excellent condition and participants enjoyed both days of challenging pin placements and yardages. Many of our players this weekend joined us from the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) as this marks the first satellite event between the two tours for the 2010-2011 schedule.
In the boys 15-19 Division there was an extortionate amount of talent present during this weekend’s tournament with many scores in the low-70’s. Players battled through moderate winds all weekend and had to be at there best to earn a top spot. Tyler Smith of Yorba Linda, CA took home the tournament victory this weekend with some great play especially around the green. Smith shot scores of 73 and71 this weekend earning him even par, 144 for the entire tournament. Smith’s 71 on Saturday also earned him the Druh Belts Low Final Round Belt Buckle for the Boys Division. This marks Smith’s first tournament victory of the year, and he did so in fashion, carding five birdies in the final round. Finishing in second place this weekend was Jino Sohn of Honolulu, HI. This youngster turned heads as he shot very impressive rounds of 74 and72 for a total of 146, 2-over par. Although, Sohn is only 14 years old he is participating in the Boys 15-19 Division to hone his skills and prepare for the next several years. Rounding out the top three was Ryan Theisen of Scottsdale, AZ. The native of Arizona was very comfortable in these familiar conditions here at Wigwam, and it showed. Theisen shot very consistent scores of 73 and74 during his two rounds and earned a total of 147 for the tournament, 3-over par.
Smith took some time to talk with the IJGT about his victory after the round, “I played pretty solid all weekend and did not let the wind affect my game. I have been playing really well as of recent and am excited to compete at the Bridgestone Golf Tournament of Champions.”
In the Boys U-14 Division the top three competitors were separated by a mere three strokes after the opening round. After some great play during the second round J.J. Qualkenbush of La Quinta, CA came away with some more hardware for his trophy case. After shooting an 81 in the first round of competition, Qualkenbush came back strong during Saturday’s round shooting a 74 for a total of 155 for the tournament. Earning second place honors this weekend was Brad Skenderian of Coto de Casa, CA. Skenderian entered the tournament fresh off of an admirable win the week prior at Saddlebrook Resort and continued his great play this weekend at Wigwam. Skenderian shot rounds of 80 and 82 during the two-day event and earned his sixth top five finish of the year. Coming in third place this weekend was Carter Irwin of Dove Canyon, CA. Irwin shot consistent scores of 83 and 82 this weekend placing him in the top three.
J.J. Qualkenbush went over the finer points of his game this weekend after he earned the victory, “I was really struggling the first day, but I was able to bounce back and dramatically improved my iron game during the second day and it showed on my scorecard.”
The Girls U-19 Division was host to thirteen girls from eight different states this weekend. Twelve-year-old Mariel Galdiano of Pearl City, HI earned her first IJGT win of the season during her debut on the tour. Galdiano shot scores of 71 and 71, two-under par, to earn the first place trophy and the Druh Belts Low Final Round Belt Buckle for her performance on Saturday. She had the lowest two-day total in the entire field of 46 participants at Wigwam Golf Resort. In a tie for second was Amy Alston of Mission Viejo, CA and Lydia Choi of Beverly Hills, CA. Alston posted scores of 78 and 74 while Choi matched her with 74 and 78 for the two day event.
Galdiano spoke with the IJGT after her tournament victory, “I was able to putt really well all weekend and even sank a couple of 15 to 20 footers.” “I really impressed myself with how well I played all weekend my game really came together this weekend.”
About the IJGT
The IJGT provides exceptional junior golfers with the opportunity to develop and showcase their competitive skills while setting high standards to preserve the traditions and integrity of the game. As a tour that operates primarily throughout the academic year, the IJGT hosts approximately 60 tournaments annually. In addition, the IJGT hosts three international events. Each event provides multi-day competition for junior golfers of all skill levels ages 9-19. Players representing 45 states and 43 countries around the world regularly compete in events at venues such as TPC Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Bethpage State Park, and Harbour Town Golf Links. Official partners of the IJGT include Bridgestone Golf, Quagmire Golf, BMW of North America, The First Tee, Golf Digest/Golf World, and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy.
To obtain more information about the IJGT, please visit www.IJGT.com or call (800) 792-9143.
LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ -- Final round results of the IJGT event conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour at Wigwam Golf Club on Sunday April 23, 2011. Gold Course: Boys 15-19 Division: Black Tees – 7065 Yards, Par 72, (72.8/131). Boys U-14 Division: Gold Tees – 6335 Yards, Par 72, (70/125). Girls U-19 Division: Red Tees – 6039 Yards, Par 72, (71.5/117).
Weather:
Saturday: Sunny with wind gusts of 15-20 mph and temperatures in the low 90’s
Sunday: Sunny with wind gusts of 10-15 mph and temperatures in the mid 80’s
Boys 15-19 Division – (Black Tees) 7065 yards, Par 72
1. Tyler Smith, Yorba Linda, CA *73-71--144
2. Jino Sohn, Honolulu, HI *74-72--146
3. Ryan Theisen, Scottsdale, AZ *73-74--147
4. Kabir Nanar, Henderson, NV *74-75--149
4. Brett Johnson, Vancouver, WA *73-76--149
6. Eric Le, Aiea, HI *80-74--154
6. Travis Norseth, Salt Lake City, UT *78-76--154
6. Clayton Yamaguchi, Los Angeles, CA *75-79--154
9. Marcus Mercado-Kiel, Santa Ana, CA *78-77--155
9. Kyle John, Monterey, CA *74-81--155
11. Scott Riley, Glenbrook, NV *76-80--156
11. Austin Tymins, Phoenix, AZ *76-80--156
13. Jake Ice, Greeley, CO *79-78--157
13. Lam H Le, Aiea, HI *75-82--157
15. Christian Nowakowski, Victoria, BC *80-78--158
16. Esteban Rodriguez, Bogota, *78-81--159
16. Koan Woon Rim, Chandler, AZ *76-83--159
18. Austin Glendinning, Goodyear, AZ *79-82--161
19. Jake Byrum, Scottsdale, AZ *82-80--162
20. Cutter Boit, Sammamish, WA *85-78--163
20. Tyler Kertson, Paradise Valley, AZ *79-84--163
20. Michael Hong, Fullerton, CA *75-88--163
23. Chad Hardy, Mesa, AZ *80-85--165
24. Alexander Kammerer, Niagara Falls, NY *81-86--167
25. Kolton Kyne, Ridgway, CO *89-82--171
25. Howard Lee, Coquitlam, BC *84-87--171
27. Austin Hinchey, Casper, WY *89-90--179
28. Ryan Buschur, San Juan Capistrano, CA *98-86--184
Boys U-14 Division – (Gold Tees) 6335 yards, Par 72
1. Jj Qualkenbush, La Quinta, CA *81-74--155
2. Brad Skenderian, Coto de Caza, CA *80-82--162
3. Carter Irwin, Dove Canyon, CA *83-82--165
4. Ty Cobb Macias, Scottsdale, AZ *88-89--177
Girls U-19 Division – (Red Tees) 6039 yards, Par 72
1. Mariel Galdiano, Pearl City, HI *71-71--142
2. Amy Alston, Mission Viejo, CA *78-74--152
2. Lydia Choi, Beverly Hills, CA *74-78--152
4. Jordan Chael, Overland Park, KS *73-80--153
5. Evelyn Dole, Raleigh, NC *77-78--155
6. Kristin Henno, Solvang, CA *79-78--157
7. Annie Freman, Las Vegas, NV *74-84--158
8. Riley Leming, Murrieta, CA *84-76--160
8. Kristin Le, Aiea, HI *80-80--160
8. Stephanie Bush, Porter Ranch, CA *81-79--160
11. Carly Humes, The Woodlands, TX *82-84--166
12. Emily Crow, Lima, OH *92-91--183
