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IJGT Major Championship at Hershey Country Club - Final Round Results
Written By: Adam Piratzky
Thornton Wins One for Mom in 3-Hole Playoff
Patel Takes Over Merit Points Lead
Hershey, Pa.– This past weekend the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) held a 36-hole Major Championship at Hershey Country Club. This was the final Major event of the 2011-2012 season and brought together some of the best talent from around the country. The pristine conditions and challenging layout of the East Course tested junior golfers as we close near the end of the season.
The excitement was carried over from the regulation 36-hole event in the Boys 15-19 Division into a three hole playoff. Carey Bina of Villanova, Pa., posted a strong first round score of four-over par 75, followed up by a 3-over par 74 in the final round giving him a tournament total of 149. Isaiah Logue of Fairfield, Pa., was only three strokes off the lead heading into the final round after posting a first round score of five-over par 77. Carding three birdies in the final round, Logue finished with a division low one-over par 72, also totaling a 149 for the event. Evan Thornton of Wyomissing, Pa., took the lead after the first round posting an impressive score of three-over par 74. He carded a second round score of 75. Having five birdies and 22 pars throughout the weekend, Thornton earned himself a spot in the three-person playoff.
The playoff began on the 18th hole, where Bina and Logue both drained 8-foot putts to save par while Thornton tapped in for his par. Next was the par 3, 16th hole where strong scores of par moved Logue and Thornton on to the challenging 17th hole. Thornton’s putting had been on point all weekend long and shined through when he sank an 8-foot par putt to capture the victory. Walking off the green Thornton pointed directly at his mom dedicating this win for her on this gorgeous Mother’s Day weekend. Thornton had some struggles on the first hole of the final round but finished strong by going even par in the last 17 holes of play. “I knew I had to start going for everything at that point,” Thornton stated. The ability to stay positive after a rough start such as Thornton’s proves that he is strong not only in his physical talents but mentally as well.
The field in the Boys 14 & Under Division was one of the strongest in the Northeast events. When the last putt had been holed, Rij Patel of 
Md. proved to be victorious. After a first round score of eight-over par 80, he came out with a vengeance on day two carding the low round of the tournament, an impressive even-par 71. This low final round was also enough to earn him the Hunt Valley, Md. proved to be victorious. After a first round score of eight-over par 80, he came out with a vengeance on day two carding the low round of the tournament, an impressive even-par 71. This low final round was also enough to earn him the Clazic belt and buckle. Patel had previously won the Jelly Bean Open at Hershey Links capping off the chocolate double. More importantly, this Major victory gave him enough point to take over the season long merit points battle with one event remaining on the schedule.
Patel was one-under-par on all Par 3’s for the tournament, which was incredible considering the intense difficulty of those holes. “Knowing I was five strokes back going into the final round, I mainly just wanted to hit great shots and score well. I finished two under on the back which felt really good,” stated Ridge in his reference to his outstanding comeback. Finishing in second place was Luke Schaap of Potomac, Md., who posted rounds of 77 and 75 for a tournament total of 11-over par 152. Earning third place honors was Walker Kirk of Lancaster, Pa., who carded strong rounds of 77 and 79 for a total of 156.
In the Girls Division, Anina Ku of Basking Ridge, N.J., has capped off an impressive two-week stretch, as she was victorious in last weeks’ Bridgestone Series at Mill Creek and this week’s Major Championship at Hershey Country Club. Ku fired two very impressive rounds of seven-over-par 78 and 9-over-par 80 to finish the tournament just one stroke clear of the next two competitors. The course proved to be playing very difficult for the players, which made Ku's victory even more impressive, and she did it at just 11 years old. Being the youngest competitor in the field definitely gave her some motivation to show everyone what she is made of. When Ku was asked what part of her game she was working on, she stated “I have been really concentrating on my putting and short game skills.”
Coming in a tie for second place was Alice Chen of Princeton, N.J., who posted a first round score of 78, followed by an 81, for a tournament total of 159. Brynn Walker of St. Davids, Pa., rounded out the Top-3 also with a tournament total of 159. Walker earned the Clazic belt and buckle for carding the low final round score for the Girls Division at six-over par77.
The IJGT will travel to Fowlers Mill Golf Club in Chesterland, Ohio for a two-day tournament on May 19-20, 2012. Fowlers Mill will be the last IJGT event of the regular season, before the Tournament of Champions at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Fla. on May 26-28, 2012.
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, KENTWOOL, CHAMP Spikes, Clazic Belts, AB Golf Designs, 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.
Hershey, PA—Final round results of the IJGT event conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) at Hershey Country Club – East Course, held May 12-13, 2012. Boys 15-19 Division: Blue Tees – 6857 yards, par 71, (73.3/133). Boys 14 & Under Division: White Tees – 6251 yards, par 71, (70.5/132). Girls Division: Gold Tees – 5955 yards, Par 71 (75.3 / 132)
Weather:
Saturday: Sunny with highs in the upper 70’s
Sunday: Sunny with highs in the low 80’s
International Junior Golf Tour at Hershey Country Club
Hershey Country Club - East Course
Hershey, PA
May 12-13, 2012
Boys 15-19 Division – (Blue Tees) 6,857 yards, Par 71
1. x-Evan Thornton, Wyomissing, PA *74-75--149
2. Isaiah Logue, Fairfield, PA *77-72--149
2. Carey Bina, Villanova, PA *75-74--149
4. Stewart Rickenbach, Doylestown, PA *77-77--154
5. Christopher Nolte, Arnold, MD *79-77--156
6. Mike Esworthy, Harrisburg, PA *79-78--157
6. Sam Clark, Hampstead, MD *78-79--157
6. Evan Shapiro, Rockville, MD *77-80--157
9. Zach Stark, Livingston, NJ *81-77--158
9. Brad Lankler, Westfield, NJ *84-74--158
11. Kevin O'Brien, Wexford, PA *85-74--159
11. Marc Oliveri, Lancaster, PA *79-80--159
11. Ryan Rucinski, Wilmington, DE *78-81--159
11. Nick Shoup, Allentown, PA *83-76--159
15. Brian Fischer, Lansdale, PA *82-78--160
15. Ryan Foll, Yardley, PA *80-80--160
15. J.D. Hughes, II, Carlisle, PA *80-80--160
15. Nick Lombardi, Harrisburg, PA *78-82--160
15. Brendan Hunter, Groton, MA *83-77--160
20. Kevin King, Cranford, NJ *82-79--161
20. Brian Bak, Nutley, NJ *81-80--161
20. Brock Kovach, Wyomissing, PA *84-77--161
20. Austin Renz, Danville, PA *77-84--161
20. Robbie Seebold, Danville, PA *77-84--161
25. Zachary Melnick, Blue Bell, PA *80-82--162
25. Vincent Sirianni, Blue Bell, PA *83-79--162
27. Ted Badenhausen, Morristown, NJ *79-84--163
27. Matthew Daryman, York, PA *79-84--163
27. Noah Firestone, Annville, PA *83-80--163
27. C.J. Zachary, Hummelstown, PA *76-87--163
31. Kyle Kroen, Basking Ridge, NJ *81-83--164
31. Andrew Barth, Bethesda, MD *85-79--164
33. Mitchell Augustine, Bracebridge, Canada *82-83--165
33. Collin Haag, Sewickley, PA *81-84--165
33. Alexander Raptapolus, Harrisburg, PA *80-85--165
33. Anthony Sebastianelli, Clarks Summit, PA *81-84--165
33. Ken Taras, Moorestown, NJ *79-86--165
33. John Sandlas V, Seneca Falls, NY *85-80--165
33. Josh Rinehart, York, PA *82-83--165
40. Austin Maher, Bracebridge, Canada *84-82--166
41. Brandon Greenplate, York, PA *82-85--167
41. Thomas Whelan, Smithtown, NY *81-86--167
41. Kavian Bina, Villanova, PA *79-88--167
41. Austin Dunlap, Villanova, PA *80-87--167
45. Mike Dobbs, Moorestown, NJ *85-83--168
45. Joey Rueter, Rydal, PA *84-84--168
47. Brendan Bacskai, Berwyn, PA *82-87--169
47. Kevin Kunkle, Walnutport, PA *81-88--169
47. Joe Markmann, Doylestown, PA *86-83--169
50. John McCabe, Sewickley, PA *82-88--170
50. Jared Brown, Swarthmore, PA *88-82--170
50. Matt Holuta, Indiana, PA *88-82--170
50. Bret Howey, Nazareth, PA *89-81--170
50. Jake Hearne, Pasadena, MD *86-84--170
55. Troy Berglund, Pittsburgh, PA *86-85--171
56. Sean Conway, South Abington Twp., PA *88-84--172
56. Kyle Putnam, Doylestown, PA *86-86--172
58. Brandon Raihl, Wernersville, PA *90-83--173
59. Dante del Vecchio, Fallsington, PA *87-89--176
60. Kris Wright, Sewickley, PA *87-91--178
61. Bobby Firth, Jenkintown, PA *90-90--180
61. Michael Spiegel, Rye *87-93--180
63. Leo Massimino, Lumberville, PA *89-94--183
64. Ben Sabin, Montclair, NJ *95-92--187
64. Tyler Smith, Bath, PA *95-92--187
66. Hank Kaufmann, Yardley, PA *95-93--188
67. Nick Kress, Jarrettsville, MD *95-95--190
x – Denotes win in playoff
Boys U-14 Division – (White Tees) 6,251 yards, Par 71
1. Rij Patel, Hunt Valley, MD *80-71--151
2. Luke Schaap, Potomac, MD *75-77--152
3. Walker Kirk, Lancaster, PA *77-79--156
4. Salil Ghamande, Evans, GA *77-80--157
5. Evan Johnson, York, PA *82-76--158
6. Gary McCabe, Collegeville, PA *85-74--159
7. Davis Mitchell, Wilmington, DE *80-81--161
7. Gus Minkin, York, PA *78-83--161
9. James McHugh, Rye, NY *83-79--162
9. Ryan Rodriguez, Highland Mills, NY *82-80--162
11. John Foley, Limerick, PA *79-84--163
12. Mike Bliss, Newtown, PA *85-79--164
12. Chase Roswall, Bristol, TN *83-81--164
14. Charles Musto, Sterling, VA *87-80--167
15. Chris Briggs, Ramsey, NJ *80-88--168
16. Roland Massimino, Lumberville, PA *86-83--169
17. Gavin Rickert, Ijamsville, MD *88-82--170
18. Justin Lankler, Westfield, NJ *84-88--172
19. Joseph Parrini, York, PA *86-87--173
20. Ryan Skae, Old Tappan, NJ *81-94--175
21. Thomas Moran, Marietta, PA *93-89--182
22. David A. Sinisi, Harrisburg, PA *93-92--185
23. C.J. Hughes, Indiana, PA *94-92--186
Girls Division – (Gold Tees) 5,955 yards, Par 71
1. Anina Ku, Basking Ridge, NJ *78-80--158
2. Alice Chen, Princeton, NJ *78-81--159
2. Brynn Walker, St. Davids, PA *82-77--159
4. Olivia Landino, Hermitage, PA *86-79--165
5. Kim Mitchell, Woodbridge, VA *90-83--173
6. Cara Basso, Downingtown, PA *86-89--175
7. Madison Beer, Skillman, NJ *90-86--176
8. Taylor Krout, Cogan Station, PA *88-90--178
9. Alexis Hios, Rye, NY *93-87--180
10. Lacey Bensing, Ephrata, PA *92-89--181
11. Haley Bookholdt, Columbus, NJ *94-88--182
12. Amanda Ploener, Chadds Ford, PA *90-93--183
12. Gillian Alexander, Rices Landing, PA *89-94--183
14. Nicole Flores, Brambleton, VA *94-90--184
15. Madeline Silverman, Greenville, DE *96-89--185
16. Rachel Corry, Ridgefield, CT *95-91--186
17. Madison Braman, Loudonville, NY *94-94--188
18. Jessica Vasso, Scarborough, NY *100-92--192
19. Whitney Spiegel, Rye, NY *96-100--196
20. Allyson Wentworth, Stewarstville, NJ *101-99--200
DID NOT FINISH
DQ. Adrienne Schmidt, McLean, VA *97-DQ (Rule 6-6)
JWD. Vickie Long, Northampton, PA *89-JWD
