Nicholas Performs in Playoff
Clark and Lees capture back to back victories
HERSHEY, Pa. – The International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) hosted the Hershey Classic on May 10-11, 2014 on the East Course at Hershey Country Club. Weather in round one included rain showers and a 30-minute delay, eventually forcing some golfers to be postponed until 8:00 a.m. the next morning. The weather for the final round made up for it however, with temperatures reaching into the high 70s. The field of 112 juniors came out to compete for IJGT Merit Points and national rankings, as well as an invite to the IJGT’s Bridgestone Tournament of Champions to be played at Grand Cypress Resort on May 24-26, 2014.
In the Boys 15-19 Division, James Nicholas of Scarsdale, N.Y., won the division in a four-hole playoff. In the final round, on hole no. nine, Nicholas’ final hole, he sank a 20-foot putt to force a playoff with Dylan Stein of Flemington, N.J. The tension was high during the playoff as both players refused to go down without a fight. Stein got up-and-down for par on the first playoff hole, hole no. 10. Then, Nicholas got up-and-down on the next hole to save par. On hole 12, Nicholas sunk a lengthy par putt to tie Stein again. The battle came to an end on the 183 yard par-3, when Nicholas made a par. Nicholas’ performance in the four-hole playoff earned him his fourth IJGT Championship of the season. His numbers for the weekend were 76-75—151.
When asked about his 20-foot putt to head into a playoff, Nicholas described the shot by saying, “ Coming down the final stretch, I knew I had to make [a putt], I had a little downhill slider. I put a good pace on it and it just kind of trickled in.”
Stein finished in second place after the playoff with scores of 73-78—151. There was a tie for third place between William Voetsch of New Vernon, N.J., and Matthew Pulgini of Middletown, Del. Voetsch posted scores of 79-74—153 while Pulgini posted scores of 75-78—153. Voetsch’s score of 74 during the final round earned him the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award. This award goes to the player that shoots the lowest score during the final round of the tournament. Also earning the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award was Jake Reilly of Hershey, Pa., who posted scores of 82-74—156.
In the Girls Division, Kaitlyn Lees of Bryn Mawr, Pa., took home her second IJGT Championship this season by carding scores of 84-78–162. Lees improved her score from round one to round two by a total of six strokes. In the final round, Lees made par on 10 different holes and added a birdie on the par-3 hole no. eight. Every time Lees made bogey in round two, she always answered back with a par. This marks her third top-10 finish this season, and her second IJGT Championship. Lees’ score of 78 won her the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award.
When asked what worked well for her during the final round, Lees said, “My short game was a lot better today, and I was able to make the short putts for par.”
Finishing in second place was Carley Hopton of Madison, N.J., who posted scores of 83-82—165. In third place was Alyssa Schiera of West Windsor, N.J., who finished with scores of 84-84—168.
[column]
In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Lukas Clark of Holland, Pa., won the division, posting scores of 78-77—155. Clark’s victory earned him back-to-back wins at his last two IJGT events. He played consistently all weekend carding one birdie through 36-holes . He made par at 13 holes during his final round, including a streak of five in a row to close out his round. Throughout the two rounds, Clark totaled 24 pars through 36-holes. His numbers of 78-77—155 won the division by a total of five strokes.
[column last_column=”true”]
[/column]
When asked about how the course played to his advantage, Clark commented, “Greens were rolling really nice. I was just getting close and tapping it in. I wasn’t really going for birdies, just pars and that worked out for me.”
Cole Gibson of Chevy Chase, Md., finished in second place posting scores of 83-77—160. In third place, was West Shaw of Alexandria, Va., who put up scores of 79-82—161.
The IJGT’s next event will be the Jersey Shootout on May 17-18, 2014. To sign up for this event, or others, visit IJGT.com or call (843) 785-2444.
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, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Kiawah Island Resort, and Harbour Town Golf Links. Official partners of the IJGT include Bridgestone Golf, Dynamic Brands, Clazic Belts, Oakley, Sun Mountain, The First Tee, Golfweek, College Golf Camps, PURE Grips, and the 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 Hershey Classic presented by the IJGA conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour completed May 11, 2014. Boys 15-19 Division: Blue Tees – 6,748 yards, Par 71 (73.5/136) Boys 14 & Under Division: White Tees – 6,188 yards, Par 71 (70.2/131) Girls Division: Gold Tees – 5,901 yards, Par 71 (75.0/131)
Weather: Saturday: Raining with temperatures in the low 70’s with 15-20 mph winds
Sunday: Sunny with temperatures in the high 70’s with 10-15 mph winds
International Junior Golf Tour
Hershey Classic presented by the IJGA
Hershey, Pa.
May 10-11, 2014
Boys 15- 19 Division (Blue tees) East Course: 6,748 yards, par 71
1. x-James Nicholas, Scarsdale, NY *76-75–151
2. Dylan Stein, Flemington, NJ *73-78–151
3. William Voetsch, New Vernon, NJ *79-74–153
3. Matthew Pulgini, Middletown, DE *75-78–153
5. Nick Geiman, York, PA *72-82–154
6. Andrew Reynolds, Pittsburgh, PA *79-76–155
6. Reid Bedell, Fair Haven, NJ *78-77–155
8. Jake Reilly, Hershey, PA *82-74–156
9. Jake Trotta, Harrison, NY *78-80–158
9. Benjamin Morgret, Venetia, PA *77-81–158
9. Luke Barnard, Ridgewood, NJ *82-76–158
9. Connor Schmidt, Venetia, PA *80-78–158
13. Chris Cerminaro, Carbondale, PA *81-78–159
13. Jake Niedosik, Lansdale, PA *78-81–159
13. Will Robinson, Pittsburgh, PA *81-78–159
16. Ben Lieberman, Potomac, MD *80-81–161
17. Mark Goetz, Irwin, PA *82-80–162
17. Austin Green, Fayetteville, PA *79-83–162
19. Benjamin Kotler, Penn Valley, PA *86-77–163
19. Colin Patrick, Newtown, CT *87-76–163
19. Brandon Raihl, Wernersville, PA *82-81–163
22. Richard Riva III, Lancaster, PA *80-84–164
23. Kevin May, Baltimore, MD *83-82–165
23. Will Lusk, Venetia, PA *85-80–165
25. Tommy Hayes, Long Valley, NJ *80-86–166
26. Patrick McDonnell, Pittsburgh, PA *89-78–167
26. Connor Daly, Bronxville, NY *86-81–167
26. Kyle Grube, Indiana, PA *86-81–167
26. Matt Friday, Pittsburgh, PA *88-79–167
26. Luke McKeogh, Warminster, PA *83-84–167
26. Wynn Geis, Lutherville, MD *82-85–167
32. Peter Bradbeer, Rosemont, PA *85-83–168
32. Ethan Means, Landenberg, PA *83-85–168
34. Anthony Cordaro, Pittsburgh, PA *82-87–169
34. John Abbott, Hummelstown, PA *88-81–169
36. Josh Huhn, Wexford, PA *86-84–170
36. Max Pollack, Pittsburgh, PA *84-86–170
36. Christopher Nolte, Arnold, MD *85-85–170
36. Jb Bradbeer, Rosemont, PA *84-86–170
40. Benjamin Morris, Reisterstown, MD *90-81–171
40. Adam Gray, Potomac, MD *85-86–171
40. Jairus Gaines, Baltimore, MD *83-88–171
40. Martin Jensen, Bronxville, NY *88-83–171
40. James Wolfangel, Flemington, NJ *84-87–171
45. David Rice, Pittsburgh, PA *83-89–172
46. Matt McCord, Titusville, PA *86-87–173
46. Michael Bushman, North Potomac, MD *84-89–173
46. Nate Yackovich, Gibsonia, PA *84-89–173
49. Troy Thierolf, Doylestown, PA *86-88–174
49. Matthew Marino, Malvern, PA *85-89–174
51. James Pelcher, Baldwinsville, NY *84-91–175
51. Thomas Dzwonczyk, North Abington Township, PA *87-88–175
53. Ryan Koenig, Cranberry Twp., PA *92-85–177
53. Peter Kissinger, Elizabethtown, PA *86-91–177
55. Steve DePasquale, Massapequa, NY *88-90–178
55. Richard Vanni, Philadelphia, PA *93-85–178
55. Trip Smith, Phoenix, MD *90-88–178
58. David Mrazik, Wexford, PA *90-89–179
58. Robert Shaner, Fort Lee, NJ *88-91–179
60. Max Siegfried, Villanova, PA *92-88–180
61. Hunter Duriez, Northern Cambria, PA *90-94–184
61. Isaac Wood, Hollidaysburg, PA *94-90–184
63. John Geppert, Mendham, NJ *92-99–191
64. Tyler Derr, Camp Hill, PA *92-101–193
65. Adam Miller, Silver Spring, MD *103-108–211
DID NOT FINISH
Kyle Detling, Sparks, MD *DQ(Rule 6-3a)
Caleb Bryant, New Freedom, PA *JWD
Boys 14 & Under Division (White tees) East Course: 6,188 yards, par 71
1. Lukas Clark, Holland, PA *78-77--155
2. Cole Gibson, Chevy Chase, MD *83-77--160
3. West Shaw, Alexandria, VA *79-82--161
4. Evan Brown, Chadds Ford, PA, *80-83--163
4. Brian Isztwan, Huntingdon Valley, PA *79-84--163
6. Alex Lawson, Pittsburgh, PA *84-80--164
6. Mac Webster, Baltimore, MD *79-85--164
8. Matthew Davis, Newtown Square, PA *79-86--165
8. Jack ODonovan, Pittsford, NY *83-82--165
10. Dylan Plis, Camillus, NY *86-81--167
10. Matthew Dzialga, Greenwich, CT *85-82--167
12. Jon Nolan Perry, Berwyn, PA *90-78--168
13. Joshua Pfaff, Harrisburg, PA *86-84--170
13. David Goldstein, Roslyn Heights, NY *84-86--170
15. Campbell Wolf, Enola, PA *89-83--172
16. Garrett Engle, Harrisburg, PA *86-88--174
17. Marc Groenhuysen, West Chester, PA *91-84--175
17. Luke Sample, New York, NY *87-88--175
19. Jude Cummings, Pittsford, NY *90-94--184
20. Jack Merrill, Old Greenwich, CT *98-102--200
21. Matthew Hird, Hunt Valley, MD *102-101--203
Girls Division (Gold tees) East Course: 5,901 yards, par 71
1. Kaitlyn Lees, Bryn Mawr, PA *84-78--162
2. Carley Hopton, Madison, NJ *83-82--165
3. Alyssa Schiera, West Windsor, NJ *84-84--168
4. Haley Carr, Waldorf, MD *84-85--169
5. Julianne Lee, York, PA *84-86--170
6. Marah Penn, Hamburg, NY *83-88--171
7. Kate Evanko, West Chester, PA *84-89--173
7. Jessie Kweon, Little Neck, NY *82-91--173
9. Samantha Fritzinger, Zionsville, PA *81-93--174
10. Anessa Amin, Easton, PA *87-88--175
10. Charlotte Simpson, Towson, MD *84-91--175
12. Madeline Sager, Kimberton, PA *89-87--176
12. Danielle Greene, East Setauket, NY *92-84--176
14. Synclaire Kuhn, McMurray, PA *87-90--177
15. Emily Gilbert, Gilbertsville, PA *91-87--178
16. Katie Walsh, Baldwinsville, NY *92-88--180
17. Rebecca Markunas, Glendale, NY *90-97--187
18. Sabrina Reilly, Hershey, PA *89-102--191
19. Katie Dzialga, Greenwich, CT *99-97--196
20. Maddie Noonan, Myerstown, PA *114-118--232
Stein, playing in his third tournament of the year, had another impressive showing. Facing less than ideal scoring conditions on Saturday, Stein managed to shoot an impressive 73. The Flemington, New Jersey native’s Saturday round included four birdies, two on the front nine and two on the back, including one on the tough par 3 8th hole. On Sunday, Stein picked up right where he left off by carding a birdie on the par-5 first hole. His consistent play in round two led him to shoot a 78. His round one and round two scores forced a playoff with James Nicholas. During the playoff, Stein had many impressive shots, perhaps none more impressive than the up-and-down from off the green on the first playoff hole. Although it was not enough to secure the victory, it did secure his best finish of the year for him. We wish Stein the best and hope to see him soon.
Clair made his 14th appearance in an IJGT event this season with his IJGT career-best finish of third place in the Boys 15 & Up Division. After finishing his first round with a four-over par 76, Clair found himself three strokes off the lead. Clair started his final round ready to close the gap, making a birdie on his opening hole. He posted an even-par 72 for the final round, to finish with a 76-72–148. After his strong play at Falcon’s Fire, Clair will be one to watch at the Bridgestone Tournament of Champions.
Phuchanbanchob, the Girls Division second-place finisher, carded nine pars and three birdies to finish with an impressive first round score of 75. After starting the final round three strokes behind the lead with a one-under 35 on the front nine, Phuchanbanchob held strong with seven pars on the back nine, finishing with a 74 in the final round. She carded an overall score of 75-74—149, making her runner-up honors her fifth top-5 finish for the 2013-14 season. Phuchanbanchob will make her debut appearance in a Bridgestone Tournament of Champions May 24-26, 2014, and look to excel with her momentum from this week’s notable performance.
