Hilton Head Island, SC - The International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) has announced the final roster of players that will proudly be representing Team USA in the 2008 Mizuno North America Cup. This will mark the sixth time that Team USA will be competing against the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) Team Canada. This year the event returns to the states to be held at the prestigious Colleton River Plantation Club from July 8th to the 10th in Bluffton, SC. Players in three boys divisions and one girls division will compete in three different formats throughout this Ryder-Cup style event. Team USA looks to take advantage on their home soil and better their overall record of 3-2 over the Canadian Team.
Representing the red, white, and blue in the Boys 17-19 Division will be brothers Brandon and Jordan Meltzer of Melville, NY providing the vital team chemistry needed for match play events. Joining the Meltzer’s is Joey Curley of Vienna, VA and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy Student Davis Lee of Palisades Park, NJ, who took home the title at the IJGT at Oyster Reef event this season.
Leading the Boys 14-16 Division will be 2007-2008 IJGT Player of The Year Jim Liu of Smithtown, NY. Joining Liu is Michael Kim of Del Mar, CA, who enters this summer after an outstanding season that included six first place finishes. IJGT at Architects Club champion Kurtis Straw of Johnstown, PA, and winner of the IJGT at Castle Hills event Greg Schmaus of Upper Saddle River, NJ will also be teaming up to complete this strong division.
In the Boys 13 and Under Division, the American Team consists of four talented players that were all announced to the 2007-2008 All IJGT Team. Leading this strong group will be Frank Szucs of Brookside, NJ, who was victorious nine times last season and never finished outside of second place. Also present is Andrew Morgan of Long Beach, CA who recently composed eight consecutive victories with the IJGT. Rounding out the division is Robert Seebold of Danville, PA, who was the repeat champion at the IJGT at Seaview events, and JJ Qualkenbush of La Quinta, CA, who won this year at the IJGT at Reynolds Plantation event.
In the Girls Division is Lauren Salazar of Santa Clara, CA, winner of the IJGT Mizuno Western Mid-Season Championship and member of Team USA for the 2008 IJGT Junior Euro Golf Cup. Teaming up with Salazar is Ashleigh Albrecht of Murrieta, CA, who enters boasting an excellent resume that consists of several top three finishes and a victory at The IJGT at Tribute Golf Club.
The Mizuno North America Cup is quickly becoming one of the most recognized junior events in both America and Canada due to the presence of each countries top junior golfers and the unique Ryder-Cup format. Teams will compete over three rounds, with two days in which the players will be paired together for fourball and foursome matches. The third and final round will feature individual singles play, ultimately deciding the winning country. Team USA will take the tee with high expectations as it enters the event with a very star studded group of players.
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July 3rd, 2008
