TAIN LEE AND KRYSTINA GILLENWATER CAPTURE TITLES
at PGA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
AT OAK VALLEY

Calimesa, California, JAGS (Junior Amateur Golf Scholars) conducted its 3^rd major tournament of the season at the Inland Empire Junior Challenge, an AJGA PBE and Golfweek/Titliest ranked event.   If you like it cool and windy or warm and windy then this was the tournament for you!  JAGS players had it both ways during the two rounds of play at the demanding PGA of Southern California at Oak Valley’s Champions Course.  Steady and gusting winds tested the patience, skills and shot abilities of each player during the 36-hole tournament with a field of 72 players from California and other surrounding western states.

Tain Lee, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., captured his first JAGS victory when he posted a 72-73-145 one-over par claiming the championship trophy over a field of 48 boys.  In addition, Lee also earned an exemption to a future open AJGA tournament with this victory.   Staying patient and keeping his ball flight low helped him to win the boys division.  Lee said, “I knew the windy conditions could cause the scores to be higher on day two, but with such a strong field of players anyone could go low and win the tournament.  I had to avoid big numbers by concentrating on hitting fairways and greens for a chance to win.”  Two shots back was Ronnald Monaco, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.,  who shot the only under-par round on day two (70) for a two-day total of 77-70-147.  Third place went to Michael Im, Fullerton, California with a 72-77-149 and Zack Kanny, Ventura, Calif., took fourth with a 72-79-151.  Tied for fifth were Aaron Smith and Michael Imperato both from Westlake Village, Calif., at 152 and seventh went to first round leader Kevin Lim, LaCanada, Calif., tied with Russell Boring, Westlake Village, Calif., at 153.  Drew Exon, Irvine, Calif., and Scott Travers, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., tied for ninth at 154.  Conner Brown, Laguna Hills, Calif., and Mitchell Fedorka, Upland, Calif., tied for eleventh at 155.

Krystina Gillenwater, Menifee, Calif., shot the low round of the tournament on day one with a 3-under 69 and finished with a two day total of even par 144 to take home her first JAGS’ first place trophy along with an exemption to a future open AJGA tournament.  Gillenwater said, “I really had to focus on all my shots because of the high winds, especially the cross wind shots. I am proud of my performance and to be the JAGS Girl’s Champion.” Eunice Yim, La Canada, Calif., finished second at 150 while third and fourth went to Danielle Frasier and MacKinzie Kline respectively, both from Encinitas, Calif.  Mariko Makabe, Rancho Palos Verde, Calif., was fifth and Jenny Lee, La Canada Flintridge, Calif., was sixth.  Lizette Salas, Azusa, Calif., placed seventh followed by Angela Villela, Pacomia, Calif., at eight.  Christine Song, Fullerton, Calif., Rachel Morris, Carlsbad, Calif., and Veronica Valerio, Temecula, Calif., tied for ninth. 

The JAGS Tour’s next two day tournament will be held at SCGA course in Murrieta, California, May 14 & 15, 2005.  This 36-hole tournament is nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and the results are watched by National and Regional junior golf programs, and college coaches throughout the US.  This is a great Robert Trent Jones course used for as a qualifying site for many USGA/SCGA and PLGA events.  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.  June 28 & 29, 2005, JAGS returns to Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.  Keep your tournament game sharp by playing in monthly JAGS events and sign up now.

RESULTS
BOYS DIVISION
Yardage: 6804 – Black Tee Ratings – 73.3/134 – Par 72

GIRLS DIVISION
Yardage: 5948 – White Tee Ratings – 76.6/137 – Par 72