Around the Green

Fourth LJT Collegiate Preview Field Set

DALLAS—The LJT Collegiate Preview is set to return to Ridgewood Country Club on March 13-14, which is where the tournament began in 2014.

The tournament features players 14 years and older who are members of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. The Collegiate Preview is a 54-hole event that is ranked nationally by Junior Golf Scoreboard, Golfweek and the World Amateur Golf Rankings. The 78-player field is set up like a collegiate event in that competitors play 36 holes on the first day and 18 on the second. This format helps prepare players for the next step in their golf careers.

“Our tagline is ‘College Golf Starts Here’ and we think this is an important step in getting our players ready for college golf,” said LJT Director of Operations Kellen Kubasak. “This event is modeled after the college format and it is good experience for the kids who are looking to make the leap to play college golf.”

Frisco’s Crosby Guercio won last year’s Boys Division after the third round was cancelled due to inclement weather. Guercio posted rounds of 71-67 on Monday to win by one stroke over Granbury’s Tucker Allen. Travis McInroe and 2015 Boys Player of the Year Pierceson Coody finished tied for third, while Tobin Niblett, Kyle Robinson and two-time champion Ryan Grider finished tied for fifth.

Dallas’ Hailey Jones won the Girls Division by two strokes over Carrollton’s Jennie Park. Jones shot 73-74 to get to 3-over 147 and win her third event in 2016. Chandler Rosholt and Camille Enright tied for third in the event at 152 overall, while Brett Permann, Amber Park and Kennedy Pedigo finished tied for fifth.

After spending the last two years at Hurricane Creek Country Club in Anna, Texas, the event moves back south to Waco. Ridgewood Country Club was designed by Ralph Plummer in 1947 and is adjacent to Lake Waco, which consists of rolling hills, large trees and spectacular views. The elevated greens are bent grass and have been considered among the best in the state.
Along with points towards the LJT’s Player of the Year Points List, AJGA Performance Stars are awarded to the top 10 finishers in the Boys Division and to the top five finishers in the Girls Division.

Exemptions into future LJT Invitational Tournaments also are up for grabs with the top-five finishers in the Boys Division earning spots in to the Byron Nelson Junior and the Texas State Junior Championship, while the top-three finishers become exempt in the George Hannon Invitational and the Texas Cup Invitational.

The champion of the Girls Division receives a spot in the George Hannon Invitational and the top five finishers become exempt in the Texas Girls’ Invitational later this year at Crown Colony Country Club.

For more information on the Collegiate Preview, click here.