2006 Encinitas Junior Open Tournament September 23-24, 2006 Encinitas Ranch Golf Course Encinitas, California Results

Nationally Ranked By:   Results submitted to: Golfweek, AJGA and JGS

Boys Photo: L-R Michael Yiu, Jeffrey Stevens, Champion Russell Boring, Dan Geis, Andrew Roque	Hole in One Victoria Fallgren Hole 15 148 yards 7 Iron	Girls Photo: L-R Demi Frances Runas, Victoria Fallgren, Champion Lee Lopez, Neomi Hunt, Alexandra Stewart, Brittany Mai

Encinitas, California, JAGS (Junior Amateur Golf Scholars) conducted the 2006/07 season opener at the beautiful Encinitas Ranch Golf Course in Encinitas, California on September 23-24, 2006.  This 36-hole event is nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard.  

First round play in the boys division concluded with Russell Boring, Westlake Village, Calif., and Michael Yiu, Laguna Hills, Calif., tied for the lead at even-par (72), a one-stroke lead over local competitor, Reid Hutchinson, Encinitas, Calif., (73) and a two shot advantage over Andrew Roque, Fontana, Calif., and Brett Robertson, Tustin, Calif., each posting (75).   Dan Geis, El Segundo, Calif., Nicholas Kelley, Moreno Valley, Calif., and Josh Ziska, Camarillo, Calif., four back at (76).  The girls division completed round one with Lee Lopez, Whittier continuing where she left off from the 2006 season scoring 1-under par (71) leading the girls field by 4 shots over Alexandra Stewart, Elkgrove, Calif., and Demi Frances Runas, Torrance, Calif., both at  (75), and 5 shots back posting (76) was 13 year old, Brittany Mai, Poway, Calif.

Round two continued with increased steady winds throughout the round and slightly cooler temperatures which made the greens faster than day one making players re-think their approach shots trying to keep the ball from running off the greens.    Boring, Yiu, and Hutchinson struggled on the front nine all scoring over-par.  Roque scored 1-under (35) to go even with Boring after nine.  Geis, shot 2-under 34 to tie the leaders at the turn.  Boring settled down and regained his lead by scoring even-par (36) on the back nine for a 2 shot advantage (145) and his first JAGS victory over Yiu and Roque who tied for 2^nd  posting (147) for the 36-hole event.  Boring said, “I re-focused my game on the back nine scoring par on holes 10 through 14 then the birdie on 15 really pumped me up.  I almost gave it away after making doubled bogey 6 on hole 17 but regained my focus to birdie the 18^th hole and claim my first JAGS victory.”  Boring was able to maintain his lead by consistent shots tee to green.  Boring added, “I have been playing on the JAGS Junior Tour for three years and have been the leader a few times after round one, but this is the first time I was able to stay focused and not let the pressure get to me.  It feels great to win my first tournament especially playing against a strong field of competitors.”  Rounding off the top ten were Jeffrey Stevens, Del Mar, Calif., (76-72-148) fourth, Geis (76-73-149), fifth, Tom Moore, Huntington Beach, Calif., (77-74-151) sixth, Jarred Mondonedo, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., (77-75-152) seventh, Arturo Saro, South Gate, Calif., (70-73-153) eighth, Hutchinson (73-81-154) and Michael Wurth (77-77-154) tied for ninth.

The final round in the girls division saw Lopez struggle with her putting on the front nine giving her fellow competitors an opportunity to close the gap on her first round lead.  Not giving up, Lopez got her putting stoke back and held on to claim her 12^th JAGS Junior Tour title by one stroke over Stewart who shot 2-under (70) during the final round.  Lopez said, “That was a close one.  I almost gave it away with my inconsistent putting today.  My shots tee to green were great, but my putting needs to be stronger so I don’t allow the field to catch me on the final day.”  Victoria Fallgren, Lakewood, Calif., was in 5^th place after round one but leaped over the field when she stroked her tee shot on the 15^th hole, using her seven iron from the white tees at thee 148 yd. par-3.  Although she did not see it go in the hole, she knew immediately something great had happened when the gallery went wild clapping and cheering as the ball rolled into the hole for the ace.  This is Fallgren’s second hole-in-one during tournament play.  Lopez added, “I am honored to win my 12^th JAGS Junior Tour victory.  JAGS Junior Tour has given me the opportunity and confidence to showcase my game at the national level and I will be forever grateful for allowing me to play and for their dedication to junior golf.” Rounding off the top five were, Stewart (75-70-145) second, Fallgren (77-71-148) third, Runas (75-75-150) fourth, Mai (76-84-160) and Neomi Hunt, Chino Hills, Calif., 80-80-160) tied for fifth.

JAGS next two-day tournament will be held at El Dorado Golf Course in Long Beach, California, October 28 -29, 2006.  This 36-hole tournament is nationally ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and is an AJGA PBE event with the results being watched by National and Regional junior golf programs, and college coaches throughout the US.  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.