Nationally Ranked By:  2006 Inland Empire Junior Challenge Major Tournament April 22-23, 2006 PGA of Southern California Golf Course at Oak Valley Calimesa, California Results submitted to: Golfweek, AJGA and JGS View Results

MOSELEY CAPTURES HIS FIRST JAGS VICTORY, LOPEZ CLAIMS HER SIXTH JAGS VICTORY THIS SEASON AT THE INLAND EMPIRE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Boys Photo:  L-R: Richard Gill, Ronnald Monaco, Champion James Moseley, Michael Drake, and Niall Platt Camera Shy: Mark Alvarez, Diwen Chen	Girls Photo: L-R:  Stephanie Hu, Veronica Valerio, Champion Lee Lopez, and Faith DeGuzman Camera Shy: Victoria Fallgren

Beaumont, California, JAGS (Junior Amateur Golf Scholars) conducted its 3^rd major tournament of the season at the Inland Empire Junior Championship, an AJGA Exemption and JGS ranked event.   If you like it cold and windy then this was the tournament for you at the always demanding PGA of Southern California at Oak Valley’s Champions Course.  Steady winds tested the patience, skills and shot abilities of each player during the 36-hole tournament with a field of 80 players from California and surrounding western states.

 

James Moseley, Arcadia, Calif., captured his first JAGS victory when he posted a 73-73-146 two-over par claiming the championship trophy over a field of 52 boys.  In addition, Moseley 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.  Moseley said, “I knew the cold and windy conditions could cause the scores to be higher, but with such a strong field of players anyone could go low and win the tournament.”  One shot back was Michael Drake, Riverside, Calif., who posted 74-73-147 and took 2^nd place.  Third place went to Ronnald Monaco, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., who shot the only par round on day-two (72) for a two-day total of 76-72-148.  First round leader, Richard Gill, Anaheim, Calif., posted the only under-par round on day-one (71) taking a one shot lead over Andrew Roque, Monterey Park, Calif., who posted even-par (72).   Fourth place went to Gill (71-78-149) and tied for fifth were Niall Platt, Santa Barbara, Calif., (76-75-151), Mark Alvarez, Pomona, Calif., (75-76-151) and Diwen Chen, Coto de Caza, Calif., (74-77-151).  Moseley added, “It was really fun battling it out in the last group of the day.  I had a great time and am proud to be the JAGS champion.”    Rounding out the top ten were Roque, (72-80-152) in 8^th place, Daniel Inocencio, Baldwin Park, Calif., and James Back, Brea, Calif.,  tied for 9^th each posting (78-75-153) for the tournament.

 

Lee Lopez, Whittier, Calif., took the lead on day one and never looked back to claim her 6^th JAGS’ victory this season by 10 shots.  During round one, Lopez hit her second shot out of the sand on the 273-yd., par 4, third hole to score an eagle 2.  Lopez said, “I was really pumped to start the tournament with two pars, an eagle, and a birdie on the first four holes.”   Round one had Lopez with a one shot lead (75)  over Jamie Yam, San Diego, Calif., (76), a two-shot lead over Stephanie Hu, Cerritos, Calif., and Veronica Valerio, Temecula, Calif., at (77).  Scores soared on day two with Lopez posting the only round in the 70’s with a 1-over 73 taking the championship scoring (75-73-148).  Lopez said, “The conditions were really hard this weekend with the cold and wind.  I really worked hard for this victory and am very excited to have earned an AJGA exemption.”  Tied for second were Faith DeGuzman, Valley Glen, Calif., (78-80-158) and Hu (77-81-158).  Fourth was captured by Valerio (77-85-162), and Victoria Fallgren, Lakewood, Calif., took fifth posting (82-82-164).  Rounding out the top ten in 6^th place, Lucy McGovern, Escondido, Calif., (84-81-165), 7^th place, Yam (76-90-166), tied for 8^th place, Marissa Steiner, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., (87-81-168) and Nabeelah Mohideen, San Diego, Calif., (83-85-168) and 10^th place, Jennel Alexander, Gardena, Calif., scoring (89-81-170).

 

 The JAGS Tour’s next two day tournament will be held at SCGA course in Murrieta, California, May 6-7, 2006.  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, 2006, 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.