|
A new program to help make it easy to start playing golf with your friends!
WINNERS TO BE GOLFER GIRL COVER MODELS
Every summer, Pinehurst, NC hosts approximately 1,100 players from more than 30 countries (including the US) to compete in the US Kids Golf World Championship, making it the world's largest golf tournament for boys and girls ages 12 and under. At this year’s event (July 31 through August 2), the winners of each of the six girls’ divisions will grace the cover of Golfer Girl Magazine’s fall issue! There is still time to qualify, so if you are interested in playing, go to www.uskidsgolf.com to register or get more details.
HARVARD WINS IT'S FIRST-EVER IVY CROWN!
In our Summer/Fall 2007 College Corner, Director Fred Schernecker and players Emily Balmart and Jessica Hazlett (Senior Captain) were united in their goal of winning the Ivy League Championship. On April 18, the Harvard team, coached by Kevin Rhoads, went to the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, NJ (the site of the first Intercollegiate Ivy Championship in 1901) with a lot of momentum: four wins, two second-place finishes, and a third-place finish. Still, to win, the Harvard women’s team knew they would need special performances during the three-day tournament. So, the Crimson ladies stepped up and delivered career best performances (including a 150-yard hole-in-one by Jessica!) to cement the win.
WHERE DO KITTENS GO TO BECOME TIGERS?
The International Junior Golf Academy has adopted the new name of Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, reflecting increased involvement by Tiger Woods’ acclaimed swing coach.
Additionally, founder and CEO Ray Travaglione said the academy will open a second campus on the West Coast at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande on California’s central coast this August to facilitate regional and international growth and to compliment the existing campus on Hilton Head Island.
“I truly enjoy working with these kids. It is an inspiration to me as a teacher to see the dedication these students have for improving their game,” said Haney, who joined the academy as director of instruction last June.
Students at the California campus will live in luxury homes at Cypress Ridge with a house parent providing 24-hour adult supervision. The exclusive campus’ practice facility includes indoor video areas and hitting bays. Jeff Troesch, an expert in mental training for performance enhancement and a frequent contributor to Golfer Girl Magazine, will serve as the director of Hank Haney IJGA in California.
Applications for the 2008-2009 school year are currently being accepted. More information is available at www.IJGA.com.
WOMEN AMATEURS: US WINS 35TH CURTIS CUP MATCH
For the sixth time in a row, the Curtis Cup went to the United States. Held every other year since 1932 (save 1940 through 1946 due to World War II), the Curtis Cup features competition between the top amateurs from the US and from Great Britain and Ireland, who compete in pairs over the three-day event. Traditionally an adult undertaking, this year’s US team was supported by 16-year-old Kimberly Kim of Hawaii and high school senior Mina Harigae of California.
JUNIOR GOLF (AGES 11-15): US WINS WORLD YOUTH TEAM TOUR
An international field of eight teams meets each year at the Bolingbrook Golf Club in Illinois for five days of World Youth Team Competition. Each team is comprised of boys and girls who earned their spots by placing in national junior tournaments. The returning champion USA team had a surprise defeat by the USA West team in the pool play and narrowly missed the cut to go to the finals. Although we were cheering for the USA team (which consisted of all girls who have been featured in Golfer Girl Magazine!), our hats are off to Team USA West – featuring female players Samantha Esguerra, Samantha Marks, Rynae Baca, Jessie Thielamay, Divya Manthena and Bethany Wu – who went on to win well-deserved tournament gold.
Congratulations to all of the teams who played through 30- to 40-mph winds, rain and tornado warnings!
JUNIOR GOLF (AGES 7-14): EUROPE WINS USKG VAN HORN CUP
If this is any indication of how the Europeans will do at the Ryder Cup, it’s game over! The Van Horn Cup (modeled after the fabled Ryder) matches more than 450 of the world’s best junior golfers in head-to-head team competition, the European team versus the International team (of which the US players are part). Played May 27-30 in Gullane, Scotland, the Europeans trounced the Internationals, winning eight of the ten matches.
REMIND YOUR PARENTS -"TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO THE COURSE" WEEK IS JULY 7-13!
Courses hosting this special week offer free greens fees to young ladies accompanied by a paying adult, as well as free clinics and other events.
MELBOURNE, FL TEEN HURST RIPS THROUGH THE PRO RANKS!
Following in the footsteps of most AJGA Rolex Junior Players of the Year, Vicky Hurst bypassed college and went straight to tour. She broke the Duramed Futures’ 54-hole scoring record with an 18-under, 198 total... and just before high school graduation! She followed up that performance by winning her second tour title in just six starts this year, the Michelob Ultra Duramed Futures Players Championship at Hickory Point on June 15. Hurst shot a five-under 65 in extremely windy and rainy conditions to claim a four-stroke victory. And now, as she turns 18, she sits on top of the money list. Should she remain in the top five at the end of the season, she will earn her 2009 LPGA Tour card. |
