2006 Memorial Junior Open May 6-7, 2006 The SCGA Members Club Murrieta, California View Results Nationally Ranked By:   Results submitted to: Golfweek, AJGA and JGS

CLAYTON “ACES” AT SCGA AND CLAIMS VICTORY LOPEZ CAPTURES BACK TO BACK TITLES

Boys: Back Row (L-R) Alex Bon, Michael Drake, Brandon Van Goethen Front Row (L-R) Daniel Inocencio, Tom Moore, Champion Scott Clayton, Andrew Johnson	Girls: (L-R) Jamie Yam, Kristina Nhim, Champion Lee Lopez, Joy Trotter and Kristin Ingram

Murrieta, California, JAGS (Junior Amateur Golf Scholars) conducted its 6^TH annual Memorial Junior Open tournament at the beautiful and always challenging SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta, California on May 6-7, 2006.  This 36-hole event is nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and featured many top golfers from Southern and Northern California.

It is spring time in California, with two warm and breezy sunny days allowing players to stay loose and have fun on the classic Robert Trent Jones SCGA Golf Course.  The course was in excellent condition with lightening fast undulating greens and very challenging pin placements. 

“There is nothing like starting a tournament with birdie, “Ace”, birdie” says University of California at Riverside bound Scott Clayton, San Bernardino, Calif.  The par-3 second hole was playing 174 yds with a cross wind when Clayton hit his 6-iron perfectly as he and his fellow competitors watched it go right into the hole.   Clayton said, “It is my second hole-in-one, but my first one during tournament play.”  This is the fourth hole-in-one the JAGS Junior Tour has experienced during its six years in operations.   Clayton continued his outstanding play completing round-one at 3-under par 69 to lead an impressive field by 3 strokes over Long Beach State incoming freshmen, Michael Drake, Riverside, Calif., even-par, (72),  Santa Clara University bound, Alex Bon, Santa Monica, Calif., Tom Moore, Huntington Beach, Calif., and Garrett Whitman, Cypress, Calif., in hot pursuit at scoring 1-over par (73). 

Sunday was an open invitation for players to score low with early morning tee times and excellent conditions.  Bon, playing in the second to last group played very consistent during his front nine posting a 1-under (35) but lost ground to the leader with a 2-over (38) on the back nine (73-73-146) to finish alone in third place.  Playing in the same group as Bon, Daniel Inocencio, Baldwin Park, Calif., scored the low round of the day at 1-under par (71) two strokes out of first place at 1-over par (74-71-145) to take second place.  Drake, Moore and Whitman struggled during the day unable to gain ground on the leader, Clayton.  Clayton scored 2-over par (38) on his first nine but saw improvement on the back nine to post even-par (36) and take the championship scoring 69-74-143 for the tournament.  Clayton said, “I played well, but just had trouble scoring low today.  I am honored to win this JAGS championship especially against this outstanding field of strong players.”  Rounding out the top ten finishers were Drake taking fourth (72-76-148), Brandon Van Goethen, Huntington Beach, Calif., Andrew Johnson, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Moore tied for fifth at 150.  Drew Exon, Irvine, Calif., D.J. Harries, Temecula, Calif., and John Caballero, La Habra Heights, Calif., tied for eighth scoring 152.   

Lee Lopez, Whittier, Calif., lead wire to wire and never looked back as she claimed her sixth JAGS title this season and her tenth over-all JAGS championship beginning in 2003 to present.  Lopez began round one scoring 2-over par 74 to lead by one over Kristin Ingram, Pasadena, Calif., (75) and Joy Trotter, Chino Hills, Calif., who posted (76).  Lopez said, “The greens are so undulating and fast, I knew Kristin and Joy could catch me if I didn’t hit my approach shots close today giving me a real chance at birdies or at least short putts for par.”  Keeping her game to fairways and greens, Lopez scored even par (72) to claim her victory 5 strokes ahead of Trotter who placed second posting (76-75-151) for the tournament.  The top five finishers were Ingram, (75-78-153) placing third, Kristina Nhim, Buena Park, Calif., taking fourth (83-74-157), and Jamie Yam, San Diego, Calif., finishing in fifth (80-78-158).  Lopez added, “My JAGS victories mean so much to me and have given me the opportunity and confidence to showcase my game at the national level.”

 

In addition to their victories, Clayton earned entrance into the 2006 Long Beach City Men’s Amateur Match-Play qualifier and Lopez earned entrance into the 2006 Long Beach City Women’s Amateur event.  Both Long Beach tournaments will be held in June, 2006.  Congratulations Scott and Lee on your victories at the SCGA Memorial Junior Open and JAGS wishes you continued success in the upcoming Long Beach City tournaments and during the summer tournament season.  

JAGS next two-day tournament will be held at Tijeras Creek Golf Course in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, June 28 -29, 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 course used for as a qualifying site for CIF, Collegiate and 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.  July 20 and 21, 2006 the JAGS Tour returns to California Country Club in Whittier, CA for the annual Jack and Madaline Hooper Memorial.  Sign up now and play in these great upcoming events.