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Rancho Santa
Margarita, California
- Junior Amateur Golf Scholars (JAGS)
hosted the 2004 Marty LaRoche Junior Challenge on June 28th
and 29th with junior golfers from California and the
Philippines taking advantage of excellent golf conditions at Tijeras
Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
The boy’s division
was won by Jordan Bertoglio, Orange, Calif., who fired a two day
total of 147 (72-75) to finish 3-over par claiming his first JAGS
championship title. Bertoglio lead the field on day one posting
even-par (72) by two over fellow competitor Tyler Michaelis,
Coto de Caza, Calif., who scored 74. Bertoglio said, “I was playing
well on the front with two birdies and two bogeys, but got a little
shaky on the back when I scored two bogeys on 10 and 11. I knew I
needed to re-focus on fairways and greens if I was going to play par
or better.” Bertoglio did just that and finished strong with
birdies on 13, 15, 17 and 18 for a 1-under 35 to be the leader in
the boys division after round one of the event.
Day two brought a
steady wind during the round and warmer temperatures for the players
to contend with especially on the hilly back nine. Bertoglio kept
his game plan in check as he posted 4 birdies to clench his victory
by 6 strokes over Michaelis. Gene Webster, Jr., San Bernardino,
Calif., finished third with Marc Nguyen, Atherton, Calif., placing
fourth and Brett Robertson, Tustin, Calif., claimed fifth. Other
top 10 finishers included, Kristofer Butkys, Newbury Park, Calif.,
sixth; Jonathan Fidone; Laguna Niguel, Calif., seventh; Erik Brokop,
Yorba Linda, Calif., eighth; Graham Waks, Coto de Caza, Calif.,
ninth, and Alex Park, Mission Viejo, Calif., tenth.
The girl’s division
was exciting as 13-year old Tarah Taylor, Mission Viejo, Calif.,
competing on her home course came out scoring even par 72 as the
first round leader over 17-year old Jayvie Marie G. Agojo from the
Philippines who was one back at 73. Paired together in the final
group on day two, Agojo emerged with the victory by scoring a two
day total of (141) thanks to an impressive 4-under 68 during round
two to seal her victory which included 5 birdies. Agojo traveled
from the Philippines in mid June to compete with JAGS in preparation
for competition at Jr. World in San Diego, Calif., the week of July
13th. Agojo credited her victory to her excellent
putting and solid short game which gave her lots of birdies and par
saves. Agojo said, “I very much enjoyed playing in this
tournament. It helped me to understand the greens here in
California. I have been working hard on my putting and chipping to
help me to score low. It is an honor to be the Girls Champion of
this JAGS tournament.” Second place went to 12-year old Rachel
Morris, Carlsbad, Calif., who came back to score even par 72 on the
final day finishing at six-over (78-72-150) for 36 holes. Lizette
Salas, Azusa, Calif., placed third, Allison Wing, Irvine, Calif.,
took fourth and Taylor finished fifth. Jennifer
Bermingham, Long Beach, Calif., fired a 1-under 71 on the second day
and tied for sixth with Danielle Frasier, Encinitas, Calif. Eighth
place went to Madison Butler of Coto de Caza, Calif., and Kim
Williams, Mission Viejo, Calif. Madeleine Nguyen, Atherton, Calif.
finished tenth.
Junior Amateur Golf
Scholars is a 501 C 3 non-profit public benefit organization that
provides junior golfers the opportunity to play golf, earn college
scholarships and learn the true meaning and benefits of the sport.
All contributions are fully tax deductible and all contributions are
greatly appreciated. Monthly two day tournaments are conducted
monthly at some of the best courses in Southern California. Players
are not required to “qualify” to play in the nationally ranked JAGS’
events.
JAGS next event will
be at the California Country Club in Whittier, CA on July 22 & 23,
2004. A 7:30 am shotgun is scheduled. To sign up call JAGS at
562-493-8416 or visit the website at www.jagstour.com. |
