Junior Amateur Golf Scholars
2002 Crevier BMW / MINI
Orange Country Junior Championship
Black Gold Golf Club - Yorba Linda, California - Par - 72
 

BRIAN C. KIM AND JEN SANDERS CLAIM
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES AT 2002 CREVIER BMW / MINI
ORANGE COUNTY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Yorba Linda, Calif., - Junior Amateur Golf Scholars, a non-profit organization hosted the first annual 2002 Crevier BMW / Mini Orange County Junior Championship at the new and challenging Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, Calif., on November 9-10-11, 2002 with over 40 players from Northern, Central and Southern California participating. 

JAGS would like to thank Tournament Title Sponsor, CREVIER BMW / MINI in Santa Ana, Calif., for their support of this first Orange County Junior Championship.  Additional thanks to Media Sponsor: Churm Publishing Golf Group, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif., publishers of Orange County Golf, LA Golf and San Diego Golf Magazines; Hat Sponsor: Forte Gear Int’l. Inc.; Prize Sponsor: Oakley, Inc., Foothill Ranch, Calif. and Product Sponsors: TaylorMade, Carlsbad, Calif. and IN-N-OUT Burgers, Irvine, Calif.       

The event was reduced to 45 holes for the girls division and 36 holes for the boys division due to rain and unplayable conditions on the course for day 1.  As players arrived for assigned tee times, fog, rain, and more rain continued to fall as a watch and 2 hour waiting game played out prior to players teeing it up on the first hole.  Finally at 10:38 am, the fog lifted and the rain seemed to be subsiding enough for the first annual Orange County Championship to begin.  After reaching the 2-hour mark during tournament play the horizontal rain was now a continual down pour as casual water began filling traps, fairways and greens making condition unplayable for round one of the event.  In the Girls Division, all players completed the front 9 allowing them to reduce their division to 45 holes instead of the original 54-hole as scheduled.  But in the Boys Division, play was cancelled prior to any group completing the front nine.  

Jen Sanders, Placentia, Calif., posted a 2-over 38 on the first nine holes during the rain storm and said, “It was pretty tough out there.  The girls were lucky to tee off first because we did not have a lot of casual water to deal with until the 8^th and 9^th holes.”   “I am really glad we got to finish the front nine.”  Added Sanders.    Boys Division Champion Kim said, “I have never been so wet, even with my rain suit on.  Water was everywhere and players were not able to hit shots without their feet sliding out from underneath them.”    “As much as we wanted to play 54-holes, the tournament committee had no choice but to cancel Saturday’s round, because the course was totally unplayable for the guys.”  Added Kim. 

Sunday, November 10^th brought warmer temperatures and lots of sunshine as the players happily teed it up for the Championship.  Players found out very quickly how soggy conditions allowed for little or no roll in the fairways or on the greens but were thrilled that the lift-clean and place rules were in effect as mud became another factor on Saturday’s play.  When darkness fell, 11 players were unable to complete their round as the course made arrangements for them to come back the next morning at 8:30 am to complete holes 17 and 18.  With round 2 finally completed Sunday morning, Lucas Lee, Torrance, Calif., took control of the leader board as he carding even par (72) giving him a 4-shot advantage over fellow competitors, Sean Kapp, La Palma, Calif., (76) and Brian C. Kim, Cerritos, Calif., (76).  Lee said, “I did not hit a lot of fairways and greens, but I was making putts left and right which saved my round yesterday.”   With Kapp and Kim hot on his trail, Lee said, “If I can hit more fairways and greens today in the final round and keep my putting hot, I will have a chance to win my first JAGS title.”    

Monday, November 11^th was sunny as Santa Ana winds from the desert arrived just in time to welcome players as they teed off on day 3 of the championship.  Kim started out bogey; bogey on first two holes but was able to settled down to score 3-over on the front for a 39,  His back nine was just the opposite, as he carded a 2-under 34 for a 1-over 73 to win the championship with a total score of (76-73-149) one shot over second place finisher Lee (72-78-150).  Kim said, “I birdied 10, eagled 13 and birdied 15 and 18 for a good come back on the back nine.”   “This course is very challenging with lots of hills and pins in very tough positions.”  Added, Kim.  Kris Assawapimonporn, Hungtington Beach, Calif., (79-74-153), Joseph Lopez, Chino Hills, Calif., (79-76-155) and Michael Cavallari, Laguna Beach, Calif., (79-78-157) rounding out the top place finishers in the Boys Division. 

In the Girls Division, Jen Sanders, Placentia, Calif., took the lead on day one and never looked back as she took her first Girls Championship this JAGS season but her 4^th overall title as a Gold Scholar JAGS Member.  Sanders said, “It is an honor to be the Girls Division Champion at the first Crevier BMW/Mini Orange County Junior Championship.”  “This is not an easy course and I played well considering the conditions.”  Added Sanders.  2^nd place went Jacqueline Struck, Coto de Caza, Calif., with 3^rd and 4^th going to Bolee Kim, Riverside, Calif., and Rachel Liberatore, Yorba Linda, Calif., respectively. 

JAGS’ next event will be the 2002 Rose Bowl Junior Classic at Brookside Golf Club Course 1, in Pasadena, Calif., on December 30-31^st.  This Junior Classic is a Junior Golf Scoreboard nationally ranked event.   For information on up coming JAGS events visit www.jagstour.com or call 562.493.8416.  JAGS is Southern California’s only year-round junior tour with monthly nationally ranked tournaments for juniors.

GIRLS DIVISION
Yardage: 5,564 Gold Tee Ratings – 73.2/132 – Par 72

BOYS DIVISION
Yardage: 6,439 Blue Tee Ratings – 71.6/130 – Par 72