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IJGT at Penn State - Final Round Results
Frost Doesn’t Freeze Frank Szucs
College Placement Series Hits Penn State
State College, Pa. – Chilly mornings and frost covered fairways met many of the top junior golfers in the nation this weekend at the 36-hole International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) event at Penn State Golf Course. Despite the mornings that found temperatures in the 30’s, the competition on the course was heated all weekend long. The Blue Course at Penn State, a collegiate grade layout, was not enough to prevent many of our competitors from posting very impressive scores.
In addition to the action on the course this weekend, this event was a College Placement Series event. Ann Maness, the IJGT Director of College Placement, was on site the entire weekend assisting prospective student athletes as they begin to embark upon their junior to golf at the collegiate level.
In the Boys 15-19 Division, Frank Szucs of Brookside, N.J. pieced together two consistent rounds this weekend to put him atop the leader board. With rounds of 74-75, Szucs marked a five over par 149. At the conclusion of the 36-hole event, Szucs came out on top by only one stroke over the second place competitor. In addition to Szucs’ event victory, he has now qualified for the Tournament of Champions at the conclusion of the 2011-2012 season.
“Today I came out with the mindset of playing the course and not my competitors” Szucs said about his strategy going into the final round, adding “the first nine holes were rough, but I really put it together on the back nine and it all fell into place.”
The top three was a tight group. Ian Hardesty of Chardon, Ohio, took second place by one stroke after scoring back-to-back rounds of 75 for a total of 150. Rounding out the top three was Chris Song of Centreville, VA after he fired rounds of 77 and 74 for a total of 151.
For the Boys 14 & Under Division, Steve Cerbara of Langhorne, PA, found himself alone atop the leader board after two rounds in the 70’s. Cerbara was the day one leader after firing a 75, two stroked better than
eventual runner-up Nick Geiman of York,PA. Cerbara was able to piece together the low round again on Sunday for the Boys 14 & Under Division en route to a five stroke victory. It was his consistent performance of 75-76 for a 151 which propelled Cerbara to the winner’s circle. Finishing in second place was Nick Geiman with scores of 77-79 for a total of 156. Rounding out the top three was Ben Reichert of East Amherst, NY with a tournament total of 162 (81-81).
Cerbara was able to manage his game despite the frigid conditions; which proved troublesome for some of the other competitors. Pre round practice was very important this weekend and provided a platform for Cerbara’s success. “The facilities at the Penn State Golf Course were tremendous. I was able to fully prepare for my round, which I think was one of the biggest keys to my success this weekend.”
The Girls Division was won by Samantha Spencer of Georgetown, ON. Spencer found herself entering the final round with a six stroke lead over the rest of the field. Her two day total of 161 (80-81) was nine better than Rachel Pollock of Guelph, ON (86-84-170). Rounding out the top three was Michelle Hanes of Elma, NY, who shot an 86-85 for a two day total of 171.
Spencer is the first international champion for the Northeast Tour of the Fall 2011 season. “Everything seemed to go really well this tournament, and I was able to finish strong.” When asked what her mindset was coming into the final day with a six stroke lead, Spencer replied, “I really wasn’t thinking much about the lead, I just wanted to go out there and play well.” And play well is exactly what Spencer did by posting the low round for the day in the Girls Division.
Following Saturday’s round, a majority of the field partook in a post round “Last Man Standing Putting Competition.” The Juniors were split into three groups and were eliminated one-by-one, until only two remained in each group. The top six then competed as they did in the previous group session. When the last putt fell, Ryan Cseplo, of Painesville, Ohio, emerged victorious and earned himself the title, “Last Man Standing.”
The IJGT will make its next stop at Hershey Links in Hershey, PA for the two day Major Championship event on October 29-30. The winners of the Boys 15-19 Division, the Girls Division, and the Boys U-14 also qualified for the season ending Tournament of Champions at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, FL.
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.
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State College, PA—Final round results of the IJGT event conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) at Penn State Golf Course – B lue Course, held Oct. 22-23, 2011. Boys 15-19 Division: Black Tees – 6765 yards, par 72, (73.5/133). Boys 14 & Under Division: White Tees – 6145 yards, par 72, (69.7 / 126). Girls Division: Gold Tees – 5809 yards, Par 72 (73.8/135)
Weather: Saturday: Partly cloudy and brisk with steady winds, highs in the low 50’s Sunday: Sunny and brisk with highs in the upper 50’s |
International Junior Golf Tour at Penn State Golf Course
State College, PA
Blue Course
October 22-23, 2011
Boys 15-19 Division- Blue Course (Black Tees) 6765 yards, par 72
1. Frank Szucs, Brookside, NJ *74-75-149
2. Ian Hardesty, Chardon, OH *75-75-150
3. KeonHo Song, Centreville VA, *77-74-151
4. Doug Uhazie, Rochester, NY *79-74-153
4. Alex Patricio, Ruffsdale, PA *73-80-153
6. Robbie Yosaitis, Great Falls, VA *79-75-154
6. Alexander Raptapolus, Harrisburg, PA *78-76-154
6. Matthew Parrottino, Slingerlands, NY *75-79-154
9. Nick Vazzana, Ashburn, VA *82-74-156
9. Andrew Geesey, Red lion, PA *80-76-156
11. Will Flood, Blue Bell, PA *79-78-157
11. Matthew Moore, Pittsburgh PA, *79-78-157
13. Mike Esworthy, Harrisburg, PA *82-76-158
14. Aaron Rhaney, Caldwell, NJ *75-84-159
15. Evan Sommer, South Park, PA *80-80-160
15. Anthony Sebastianelli, Clarks Summit, PA *77-83-160
17. Zach Egermayer, Glen Rock NJ, *81-80-161
17. Brad Holmes, Burlington, ON *81-80-161
17. Peter Skynner, Oakville, Canada *84-77-161
17. Luke Atack, Hamilton, ON *83-78-161
17. Brodie McKinney, Stoney Creek, ON *83-78-161
22. Evan Boles, Monmouth Beach, NJ *81-81-162
22. Connor Crane, Venetia, PA *86-76-162
22. John McCabe, Sewickley, PA *84-78-162
25. Nathan Halowell, Montgomery village, MD *83-80-163
25. Garrett Atkinson, Oakville, ON *82-81-163
25. Dave Studin, Ithaca, NY *83-80-163
28. Will Essigs, New Canaan, CT *81-83-164
28. Corey Purcell, Clifton Park, NY *77-87-164
28. John Collins, Wilton, CT *83-81-164
31. Dominic Diaz, Bridgewater, NJ *79-86-165
32. Michael Gress Jr., Harrisburg, PA *86-80-166
32. Ryan Cseplo, Painesville, OH *84-82-166
32. Charles Seward, Huntingtown, MD *83-83-166
35. John Peterson, State College, PA *81-86-167
35. Austin Koleszar, Howell, MI *85-82-167
37. Michael Petitti, Mississauga *82-86-168
37. Charles Corner, Cayuga, ON *83-85-168
39. Thomas Smith, Georgetown, ON *82-87-169
39. Bryan Saxon, Califon, NJ *85-84-169
39. Jimmy Ryan, St. Davids, PA *84-85-169
42. Tyler Sands, New Canaan, CT *90-80-170
42. Tyler Pollack, Venetia, PA *85-85-170
42. Michael Swift, New Canaan, CT *84-86-170
45. Frank Worthington, Lower Gwynedd, PA *86-86-172
45. Billy Clark, Arnold, PA *85-87-172
47. Nelson Zacur, Pittsburgh, PA *91-83-174
48. Andy Leary, Auburn, NY *90-88-178
48. Patrick Jonnet, Pittisburgh, PA *86-92-178
50. Jessi Roe, Cambridge, OH *92-89-181
51. Steven Silverman, Waverly, PA *94-99-193
52. Trip Means III, New Canaan, CT *99-96-195
52. Scott Solomon, Scarsdale, NY *100-95-195
Boys U-14 Division- Blue Course (White Tees) 6145 yards, par 72
1. Steve Cerbara, Langhorne, PA *75-76-151
2. Nick Geiman, York, PA *77-79-156
3. Ben Reichert, East Amherst, NY *81-81-162
4. Connor Bacha, York, PA *84-79-163
4. Evan Johnson, York, PA *84-79-163
6. Gus Minkin, York, PA *82-82-164
7. Marc Holzhauer, Clarence Center, NY *87-88-175
8. Ryan Rybicki, Remsen, NY *87-92-179
9. Christian Garruppo, Pottersville, NJ *104-98-202
Girls Division- Blue Course (Gold Tees) 5809 yards, par 72
1. Samantha Spencer, Georgetown, ON *80-81-161
2. Rachel Pollock, Guelph, ON *86-84-170
3. Michelle Hanes, Elma, NY *86-85-171
4. Alexandra Grimaldis, Pleasantville, NY *86-87-173
5. Claire Serruto, Short Hills, NJ *87-88-175
6. Kelly Schwemmer, Arnold, MD *96-83-179
7. Rosy Hearns, Hermitage, PA *87-93-180
8. Victoria Nichols, Lowell, IN *102-98-200
