GEIS AND LOPEZ CROWNED
CHAMPIONS AT FIRST MAJOR OF THE SEASON
Long Beach, California, JAGS (Junior Amateur Golf Scholars) conducted the 2006/07 season’s first major tournament at El Dorado Park Golf Course in Long Beach, California on October 28-29, 2006. This 36-hole event is nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and was an AJGA PBE status event.
Perfect conditions make it a day for scoring at the El Dorado Park Golf Course in Long Beach, California during round one. Dan Geis, El Segundo, Ca., finished the last three holes with birdie, par, eagle for a 1-under (71) and a one short lead over Andrew Roque, (2006 Player of the Year) Fontana, Ca., and Eugene Lee, Temecula, Ca., both at even par, (72). Posting a (74) and 3 shots behind the leader was Tom Moore, Huntington Beach, Ca., Russell Boring, (Encinitas Champion) Westlake Village, Ca., Andrew Ellis, Fircrest, Wa., and Robert Nicanor, San Diego, Ca. Geis said, “A one shot lead is nothing with this strength of field. I am going to have to play smart and do my best to score low tomorrow for a chance to win this tournament.” The 18th hole saw two eagles during round one. One from Geis and the other from Austin Gardner from Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. Both were all smiles walking off the eighteenth green.
Lee Lopez, (2006 Player of the Year) was the girl’s division leader after round one posting 1-under, (71). Hot on her trail at even-par 72 was Alexandra Stewart, Elkgrove, Ca., and Michelle Yang, Los Angeles, Ca., two back at 73. “I was scrambling today,” Lopez said. “I made birdies on the first two holes then took a triple on the eighth hole but came back with a par on the ninth. My ball striking was okay and I made a lot of putts which really helped me to score under-par.” (71).
Round two continued with cooler temperatures and a light afternoon breeze. Boring, and Michael Yiu, Laguna Hills, Ca., gave Geis a challenge as they each posted 2-under (70) during round two. Mile Cole, Los Alamitos, Ca., Michael Liu, Tustin, Ca., and Roque each scored 1-under (71) to keep the heat on Geis. But with a strong birdie, birdie finish, Geis took the victory by scoring (71-70-141). “After struggling on the front, (38), I was able to settle down and play solid golf on the back nine with all pars and four birdies.” Geis said, “Winning is always great but this win against these strong golfers makes this win extra special.” Second place went to Roque (72-71) one-under par (143), Yiu and Boring tied for third posting rounds of (74-70) to finish at even par, (144), fifth place went to Cole, (75-71-146), sixth to Grant Higa, La Canada, Ca., (76-72-148 and Ellis (74-74-148). SeungRok Cheon, Indio, Ca, (75-74-149), Lee, (72-78-150) and Kyohei Itamura (77-74-151) took eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.
With daylight savings time ending the night before, the girls division struggled, but managed, to complete their final round before darkness fell. Lopez continued her steady play and held on for the victory by two-strokes (71-74-145) over Yang (73-74-147) and by five strokes over Stewart, (72-78-150). “My putts were not dropping today but my ball striking was better.” Lopez said, “I got really cold during the last 5 holes and lost my concentration but was able to keep it together for the win.” Stacy Kim, Yorba Linda, Ca. captured fourth, (77-74-151), Brittany Mai, Poway, Ca., took fifth (76-77-153), and Ashley Gilmore, Coto de Caza, Ca., finished in sixth. Marissa Steiner, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca., and Sorelle Sedej, Poway, Ca., tied for seventh, Alice Kim, Diamond Bar and Simone Strauss, Rancho Mirage, Ca., tied for ninth.
Champions, Geis and Lopez each earned an AJGA open tournament exemption for their wins. Movie tickets were awarded to Kayle Markowski (92-83-175) and Ahron Valverde (85-74-159) for the best over-all scoring improvement from round one.
JAGS next two-day tournament will be held at General Old Golf Course, Riverside, California, November 18-19, 2006. This 36-hole tournament is nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard with the results being watched by National and Regional junior golf programs, and college coaches throughout the US. Players need not be members of JAGS to participate, although member’s tournament fees are lower. Membership and tournament information can be found at www.jagstour.com. |
