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Embry, Sherman, and Knox Claim North Texas Classic Titles
Briefly: Tyson Embry shot a 1-over 73 on Sunday to win the Boys Division of the North Texas Classic by 2 shots. Carly Sherman captured the Girls Division Title with a second round 1-over 73, while Dylan Knox birdied his 2nd playoff hole to secure his victory in the Boys 14 & Under Division at 10-under par overall.
Champions: Highland Village’s Tyson Embry went wire to wire to claim the North Texas Classic Victory. He finished an impressive weekend with a 5-under par score of 139. Embry followed up his amazing first round 66 with a gritty 1-over par 73 that saw a triple bogey on the ninth hole. From that point, Embry recorded 4 birdies on the back nine to secure his first Legends Junior Tour victory. Bastrop’s Carly Sherman started the final round with a one-stroke lead and her 1-over par 73 was enough to secure a hard fought one stroke victory. Carly made birdies on holes 10 and 11 to start her final nine holes and finished the tournament at 4 -over par 148. Austin’s Dylan Knox overcame a 5 shot deficit at the start of his final round with a round of 3-under 69 that included 5 birdies. Dylan finished the tournament at even par 144, and closed out his second LJT victory of the year with a birdie on his second playoff hole.
Top Finishers: In the Boys Division, Tomball’s Joshua McGown fired a 2-under par 70 to finish in second place, 2 shots off the lead. McGown was able to birdie three of his last 5 holes as his late charge came up just short. Dallas’s Charles Nelson and Austin’s Trenton Mierl finished in a tie for third finishing the tournament at 1-under par, 143. Deacon Dortch of Dallas rounded out the top 5 with his 36 hole total of even par.
In the Girls Division, Prosper’s Lucy Kate Smith finished second as her second round 73 wasn’t enough to chase down Sherman. Smith finished the tournament 1-stroke back at 5-over par 149. Finishing in a tie for 3rd was Frisco’s Megan Lee, and McKinney’s Kate Bennett, both posting 7-over 151. Rounding out the top 5 was Plano’s Lindsey Li at 9-over 153.
In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Selma’s Aadi Parmar shot a 1-under 71 in the final round to finish tied with Knox at even par 144. Prosper’s Grant Clapp bogeyed his final hole to finish 1 stroke back and just outside of the playoff. Rounding out the top 4 was Garland’s Landon Hilario finishing at 4-over par.
Player of the Years Points: Tyson Embry, Carly Sherman and Dylan Knox all earned 1,000 points in the Player of the Year Point Race. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division.
Golf Course: Indian Creek Golf Club is hosting the North Texas Classic for the first time in the tournaments nine-year history with the Legends Junior Tour. Located in Carrolton, the Lakes Course offers a challenge to the field, stretching out to 7,000 yards in the Boys Division, 6,500 yards in the Boys 14 & Under Division and 5,900 yards in the Girls Division. The Lakes Course was completely renovated back in 2019 and included new greens and fairways. The Lakes Course lives up to its name with water present on 16 of the 18 holes.
Weather: The weather started off warm with overnight lows only falling to the mid 70’s. Sunny skies prevailed as the temperature rose to a high of 93 degrees by early afternoon. A steady 10 – 15 mile per hour west wind was present throughout the day.
Tournament Format: The North Texas Classic is a 36-hole stroke play event for players 12-18 years old. All players in the field are required to have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. The North Texas Classic kicks off the Fall Swing of the Legends Junior Tour schedule.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Next Up: The LJT travels to Squaw Creek Golf Club in Willow Park on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1st for the 2023 Fall Challenge. For more information on the Fall Challenge, click here.
For more information on the North Texas Classic, click here. To see all the scores from Indian Creek Golf Club, click here.
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Embry, Lewis, Sherman Lead at North Texas Classic
Briefly: Tyson Embry cards a first round 66 to lead the Boys 15-18 Division of the North Texas Classic at Indian Creek Golf Club. In the Girls Division, Carly Sherman leads at 3-over, while Cameron Lewis leads the Boys 14 & Under Division at 2-under.
Leaders: Highland Village’s Tyson Embry had the hot hand on Indian Creek’s Lakes Course during Saturday’s first round. Embry racked up seven birdies en route to a 6-under 66 to take the first-round lead in the Boys 15-18 Division. Embry recorded five of his seven birdies in a 6-hole stretch on the back nine. Embry will be on the hunt for his first LJT victory in tomorrow’s final group. Bastrop’s Carly Sherman holds a one-shot lead in the girls division heading into Sunday’s final round. On a tough scoring day for the Girls Division, Sherman played a steady round with three bogeys and a birdie on the par 5 11th. Dallas’ Cameron Lewis leads the Boys 14 & Under Division by two strokes after an opening round 70 on Saturday. Lewis started off steady, playing his first nine at even par, before recording a pair of birdies to play the back side at 2-under.
In Contention: In the Boys Division, Austin’s Daniel Macias sits three shots back in second after his 3-under 69. Austin’s Trenton Mierl and The Woodlands Alex Malanga are both tied for third at 2-under 70. Houston’s Austin Le, Tomball’s Joshua McGown, and Dallas’ Deacon Dortch are all tied for fifth after posting rounds of1-under 71.
In the Girls Division, Prosper’s Lucy Kate Smith is in second at 4-over, while McKinney’s Kate Bennett, Plano’s Lindsey Li, and Frisco’s Megan Lee are all tied for third at 5-over.
In the Boys 14 & Under Division, The Woodlands’ Tripp Depoy trails by Lewis by two strokes after a round of even par 72, with Selma’s Aadi Parmar sitting in third at 1-over 73.
Golf Course: Indian Creek Golf Club is hosting the North Texas Classic for the first time in the tournaments nine-year history with the Legends Junior Tour. Located in Carrolton, the Lakes Course offers a challenge to the field, stretching out to 7,000 yards in the Boys Division, 6,500 yards in the Boys 14 & Under Division and 5,900 yards in the Girls Division. The Lakes Course was completely renovated back in 2019 and included new greens and fairways. The Lakes Course lives up to its name with water present on 16 of the 18 holes.
Weather: The Carrollton area experienced some early morning showers, which cooled off the temps to the mid 70’s for the first tee times at 8:00 AM. Sunny skies prevailed as the day went on, and temperatures rose to a high of 95 degrees by midafternoon. A steady 10 mile per hour west wind was present throughout the day.
Tournament Format: The North Texas Classic is a 36-hole stroke play event for players 12-18 years old. All players in the field are required to have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. The North Texas Classic kicks off the Fall Swing of the Legends Junior Tour schedule.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Next Up: The Final Round is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am off the No. 1 and 10 tees on Sunday, September 11. To see the pairings for the Final Round, click here.
For more information on the North Texas Classic, click here. To see all the scores from Indian Creek Golf Club, click here.
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O’Rear, Sathish, Parmar Win George Hannon Junior Invitational
Briefly: Plano’s Rhett O’Rear won the Boys 15-18 Division of the George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual after firing another sub-par round at University of Texas Golf Club. Swetha Sathish of Oakville captured her first victory with the Legends Junior Tour, while Aadi Parmar of Selma won the Boys 14 & Under Division for his third LJT title of the year.
Leaders: O’Rear picked up his first win in the Boys 15 – 18 Division with the Legends Junior Tour after firing 68 – 69 to finish at 5-under overall and win the division by four strokes. O’Rear had two days of solid play with his last day consisting of three birdies. Sathish’s consistent play and solid putting awarded her the victory in the Girls Division at 2-over 144 after rounds of 72-72 over the two days. Parmar recorded rounds of 71-70 to get to 1-under 141 overall. Parmar played a consistent game this week, recording five birdies and 4 bogeys.
In Contention: In the Boys 15 – 18 Division, Preston Hiller of San Antonio and Ryan Lee from Plano finished runner-up with 1-under, 141 total, for the two days. New Braunfels’ Kyle Doolittle finished fourth at even-par 142, while Garrett McMellon and Grayson Sebastian tied for fifth in the division with overall scores of 1-over 143. In the Girls Division, Austin’s Isabel Emanuels and Mimi Burton tied for second at 4-over 146 and Danica Lundgren and Lydia Portlock tied for fourth at 5-over 147. Henry Jackson of Lantana and Ainslie Stanford III tied for second in the Boys 14 & Under Division at 5-over 147, while Cameron Lewis finished fourth at 6-over 148 and Dylan Knox and Luke Olive tied for fifth at 8-over 150.
Golf Course: The University of Texas Golf Club was designed by Bechtol Russell and opened in 2003. The course is set along the Colorado River and features stunning Texas Hill Country views along with a challenging par-71 layout.
Weather: Temperatures reached 100 again on Tuesday with steady winds out of the south at 12 miles per hour with gusts around 20 mph which offered a challenge for the field.
Player of the Year Points: Rhett O’Rear, Aadi Parmer, and Swetha Sathish all earned 1500 points in the Player of the Year Point Race. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division. 2023 LJT Player of the Year Points Standings
About George Hannon: George Hannon, who was affectionately called “Coach”, coached the University of Texas golf team for 18 seasons. Coach Hannon saw his Longhorns win two National Championships in 1971 and 1972, 12 Southwest Conference Titles and three individual titles. Hannon’s Horns included Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Mark Brooks, Phil Blackmar, Brandel Chamblee, Rik Massengale and Paul Thomas.
Hannon Cup Association: The Hannon Cup Association contributes to golf scholarships, supports the Austin Junior Golf Academy and hosts the George Hannon Junior Invitational and Hannon Cup Matches. Mark Coward and Brent Buckman were instrumental in conceiving the idea and in organizing and forming the initial committee for the Hannon Cup. Support was provided by a group of individuals and businesses that became known as the Hannon Society. To date the Association has distributed more than $145,000 worth of secondary education scholarships through the Southern Texas PGA Foundation.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Tournament History: The George Hannon Junior Invitational finished it’s 14th year on the Legends Junior Tour schedule and features past champions such as Maxwell Miller, Cole Hammer, Chandler Phillips, Tayler Termeer, Hailee Cooper, Joe and Julia Beck, Matthew Comegys, Keaton Vo, Henry Guan and Nicole Vivier. This event has been held at UT Golf Club for the last six years.
Next Up: The Legends Junior Tour heads to Indian Creek Golf Club in Carrollton for the North Texas Classic on September 9-10. The George Hannon Junior Invitational caps off a busy and exciting summer for the Legends Junior Tour.
For more information on the George Hannon Junior Invitational, click here. To see all the scores from UT Golf Club, click here.
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Burt, O’Rear, Parmar, Sathish Lead at George Hannon Junior Invitational
Briefly: Blake Burt and Rhett O’Rear both fired a 3-under 68 in the opening round of the George Hannon Junior Invitational leading the Boys 15-18 Division by two strokes. Aadi Parmar leads the Boys 14 & Under Division at University of Texas Golf Club, and Swetha Sathish stayed focused and finished Round 1 as the sole leader of the Girls Division.
Leaders: Austin’s Blake Burt and Plano’s Rhett O’Rear both shot 3-under par 68, on Monday at the UT Golf Club. Both O’Rear and Burt played consistently posting five and six birdies, respectively. Burt’s 3-under consisted of 5 total birdies, with four of them coming in his first 10 holes. O’Rear’s 3-under, 68 consisted of consisted of 6 total birdies, with four on the back nine at the UT Golf Club.
Oakville’s Swetha Sathish fought hard to stand alone as the leader of the Girls 12-18 Division. Her round consisted of 4 birdies beginning on hole 9, and pulled her one-shot ahead of her competitors.
in the Boys 14 & Under Division, Aadi Parmar from Selma attributed his even-par 71, to his putting. His first round consisted of 3 birdies and steady play.
In Contention: There are seven players tied for third place in the Boy’s Division at 1-under par 70 including Burleson’s’ Blake Keen, Dallas’ Luke Harper and Jack Clancy, Richmond’s’ Grayson Sebastian, Highland Villages’ Tyson Embry, Plano’s’ Ryan Lee and McAllen’s’ Dylan Villarreal Trailing Parmar by two strokes in the Boys 14 & Under is Division is Luke Olive from Dallas, Henry Jackson from Lantana, Ainslie Stanford III from Edmond. Lydia Portlock from San Antonio is hot on Swetha’s heels in the Girls 12-18 Division shooting 2-over, 73, only 1-shot behind Swetha Sathish. Austin’s Caroline Dasch sits in fifth place in the division at 3-over. In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Dallas’ Brooks Harper is in second at 2-over, while Duff Mckay of Dallas and Luke Colton of Frisco are tied for third at 3-over. Nicholas Logis and Austin Hofferkamp are tied for fifth at 4-over.
Golf Course: The University of Texas Golf Club was designed by Bechtol Russell and opened in 2003. The course is set along the Colorado River and features stunning Texas Hill Country views along with a challenging par-71 layout. The course overlooks Lake Austin and borders the Balcones Natural Wildlife Preserve and has hosted the George Hannon Junior Invitational six times now, including the last four years.
Weather: Temperatures started in the low 80s without a cloud in the sky on Monday and peaked above 100 degrees. Winds were light and out of the south at 10 – 15 mph.
Tournament Format: The George Hannon Junior Invitational is a 36-hole stroke play event for players that have earned an exemption through the Texas Junior Golf Alliance or the Hannon Society. The 90-player field is one of the strongest in the state as they play 18 holes each day.
Player of the Year Points: 1500 points in the 2023 Player of the Year Point Race are up for grabs to the winners this week at the George Hannon Junior Invitational. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division. 2023 LJT Player of the Year Points Standings
About George Hannon: George Hannon, who was affectionately called “Coach”, coached the University of Texas golf team for 18 seasons. Coach Hannon saw his Longhorns win two National Championships in 1971 and 1972, 12 Southwest Conference Titles and three individual titles. Hannon’s Horns included Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Mark Brooks, Phil Blackmar, Brandel Chamblee, Rik Massengale and Paul Thomas.
Hannon Cup Association: The Hannon Cup Association contributes to golf scholarships, supports the Austin Junior Golf Academy and hosts the George Hannon Junior Invitational and Hannon Cup Matches. Mark Coward and Brent Buckman were instrumental in conceiving the idea and in organizing and forming the initial committee for the Hannon Cup. Support was provided by a group of individuals and businesses that became known as the Hannon Society. To date the Association has distributed more than $145,000 worth of secondary education scholarships through the Southern Texas PGA Foundation.
About Texas Mutual: Texas Mutual is the presenting sponsor of the George Hannon Junior Invitational and has been caring for hardworking Texans for more than 25 years. Taking care of people is what Texas Mutual does and that’s why they invest time, energy and resources into increasing safety, wellness and education for all Texans. Texas Mutual has been the presenting sponsor of this event for the last three years.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Next Up: The Final Round of the George Hannon Junior Invitational is scheduled for Tuesday with tee times starting at 7:30 am off the No. 1 and 10 tees. Following Tuesday’s Final Round, awards will be handed to the top five in the Boys Division and top three in the Girls and Boys 14 & Under Divisions.
For more information on the George Hannon Junior Invitational, click here. To see all the scores from UT Golf Club, click here.
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McMellon, Lewis, and Yuan Win at Lanny Wadkins JC
Briefly: Garland’s Garrett McMellon claims his first LJT victory in a two-hole playoff after finishing at 3-under par 137 for the tournament. Joshua’s Kaylee Yuan goes wire to wire to won the Girls 12-18 Division at even par 140, while Dallas’ Cameron Lewis won the Boys 14 & Under Division in a playoff after finishing at 1 over-par 141.
Champions: Garrett McMellon entered Tuesday’s final round in the second to last group, two shots off the lead after a first round 68. McMellon started the day with bogeys on holes #1 & #3, but rallied with birdies on Holes #4, #10, and #12 to post 1-under 69 on the day. McMellon finished at 3-under par 137 for the tournament and secured his first LJT victory with a 12 foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.
Joshua’s Kaylee Yuan won the Girls 12-18 Division after shooting rounds of 68-72 to finish the championship at even par and nine strokes ahead of the field. She posted the only under par round of the tournament in the girls division with a 2 under par score of 68 in the first round. This is Yuan’s second LJT victory in as many starts.
Dallas’ Cameron Lewis won the Boys 14 & Under Division at 1-over 141 overall in a playoff Dexter Zimmerman. Lewis drained a 50 foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to claim the title. Lewis recorded rounds of 72-69 for his first LJT victory.
Top Finishers: In the Boys 15-18 Division, Belton’s Chandler Cooke finished runner up after shooting rounds of 67-70 to finish at 3-under par 137 and losing in a playoff. Dallas’s Blake Goodnight, the first round leader, took home third place after finishing one off the pace at 2-under par 138. Jack Hollingsed of Dallas finished at 1-under par 139, which was good enough for fourth place, and New Braunfels’ Kyle Doolittle rounded out the top five at even-par 140.
In the Girls 12-18 Division, Prosper’s Lucy Kate Smith finished runner up at 9-over 149. Austin’s Julia Sosa finished in 3rd place with a score of 10-over 150. San Antonio’s Abby Jimenez claimed fourth place at 11-over 151, and Dallas’s Bella Scucchi rounded out the top five at 16-over 156.
In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Dallas’s Dexter Zimmerman finishes runner up after losing in a playoff at 1-over par 141. Lantana’s Henry Jackson finishes third at 8-over par 148.
Golf Course: Iron Horse Golf Course, located in North Richland Hills, is hosting the Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship for the first time in the tournament’s 15-year history. Century-old oak, mesquite and cottonwood trees frame emerald Bermuda fairways and manicured greens, which traverse beneath a working railroad trestle – with numerous doglegs, two meandering creeks which come into play on 17 holes, and unique bunkering creating both strategic diversity and a breathtaking backdrop for golf. Adding to the charm and nostalgia of the course are three authentic caboose cars, which serve as on-course facilities.
Weather: Temperatures began in the low 80’s and did not creep into the 90’s until late in the afternoon. Players enjoyed cloud cover and a cool breeze in the morning as storms rolled through the opposite side of the DFW metro.
Tournament Format: The Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship is a 36-hole stroke play event for players ages 12-18 years old. Membership with a Texas Junior Golf Alliance Partner is required to play in Legends Junior Tour events.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Player of the Year Points: Garrett McMellon, Kaylee Yuan and Cameron Lewis all earned 1000 points in the Player of the Year Point Race. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division.
Next Up: The Legends Junior Tour heads to White Bluff Resort on July 24-26 for the 97th Texas Junior Amateur. The 240-player field is split between four division: Boys, Girls, Boys 14 & Under and Girls 14 & Under. The Boys Division will play the New Course at White Bluff, while the Girls Division and both 14 & Under Divisions will play the Old Course at White Bluff.
For more information on the Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship, click here. To see all the scores from Iron Horse Golf Course, click here.
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Goodnight, Yuan, and Zimmerman Lead at Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship
Briefly: Blake Goodnight of Dallas, TX, sits alone atop the Boys 15-18 Division of the Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship after shooting a solid 4-under 66 at Iron Horse Golf Club. Dexter Zimmerman, also of Dallas, holds a two shot lead in the Boys 14 & Under division at even-par 70. Finally, Kaylee Yuan of Joshua leads the Girls Division by six strokes after her 2-under-par 68 in round 1.
In Contention: In the Boys 15-18 division, The Colony’s Jackson Vesper and Belton’s Chandler Cooke are tied for second after rounds of 3-under par 67. Garrett McMellon of Garland finds himself in solo fourth after a round of 2-under par 68. Grapevine’s Wylie Waldrip, Flint’s Braden Bergman, and Houston’s Ford Montgomery round out the top five after rounds of 1-under par 69.
In the Girls 12-18 Division, Prosper’s Lucy Kate Smith sits six shots back in second place after an opening round of 4-over par 74. Julia Sosa rounds out the second round’s final pairing in third place after a first round of 6-over par 76.
In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Dallas’ Cameron Lewis is in second place at 2-over par 72. Lantana’s Henry Jackson currently holds third at 3-over par 73, and Houston’s Freeman Woldert is in fourth at 7-over par 77.
Golf Course: Iron Horse Golf Course, located in North Richland Hills, is hosting the Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship for the first time in the tournament’s 15-year history. Century-old oak, mesquite and cottonwood trees frame emerald Bermuda fairways and manicured greens, which traverse beneath a working railroad trestle – with numerous doglegs, two meandering creeks which come into play on 17 holes, and unique bunkering creating both strategic diversity and a breathtaking backdrop for golf. Adding to the charm and nostalgia of the course are three authentic caboose cars, which serve as on-course facilities.
Weather: The weather for Monday’s first round began with cloud cover and temperatures in the mid 80’s. The clouds cleared out in the afternoon and temperatures reached the mid to upper 90’s. Winds remained calm throughout the day, peaking around 10 mph.
Tournament Format: The Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship is a 36-hole stroke play event for players 12-18 years old. All players in the field are required to have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Future Tournament Exemptions Available:
Boys Division: The top three (3) finishers in the Boy’s 15-18 Division will be awarded an exemption to play in the Texas Junior Amateur. The Champion in the Boy’s 15-18 Division will earn exemptions to the George Hannon Junior Invitational, Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational, 2024 Texas Cup Invitational, 2024 Byron Nelson Junior Championship and the 2024 Bluebonnet Championship.
Boy’s 14 and Under Division: The Champion in the Boy’s 14 and under division will earn an exemption to play in the George Hannon Junior Invitational, Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational, and the 2024 Bluebonnet Invitational.
Girls Division: The Champion in the Girl’s Division will earn exemptions into the George Hannon Junior Invitational, Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational, 2024 Texas Girls’ Invitational, and the 2024 Bluebonnet Championship.
Player of the Year Points: 1000 points in the 2023 Player of the Year Point Race are up for grabs this weekend at the Winter Classic. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division.
Next Up: The Final Round is scheduled to begin at 7:30 am off the No. 1 tee on Tuesday, July 11. To see the pairings for the Final Round, click here.
For more information on the Lanny Wadkins Junior Championship, click here. To see all the scores from Iron Horse Golf Course, click here.
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Yuan and McMellon lead Collegiate Preview
Briefly: Kaylee Yuan of Joshua, TX leads the Girls Division of the Collegiate Preview after shooting an even- par 142 across 36 holes on Monday. Garrett McMellon of Garland, TX leads the Boys Division at one-under following rounds of 73-68.
Leaders: Joshua’s Kaylee Yuan leads the Girls Division after rounds of 71-71 on Monday. Her even par 71 in the second round consisted of four pars and a birdie on the last hole for the day. She heads into the final round with a substantial lead. In the Boy’s Division, Garland’s Garrett McMellon tallied five birdies across 36 holes on Monday, including a ten-hole stretch to end the second round where he went two-under par. McMellon holds a one-stroke lead going into the final round.
In Contention: In the Boys Division, Garland’s Garrett McMellon sits at the top of the leaderboard after rounds of 73-68. Austin’s Bradley O’Donnell is in second place, one-stroke off the lead. O’Donnell posted rounds of 70-72. Sitting in third place is Asher Vargas of Spring, TX. Vargas carded 76-67, his second-round total being the low round of the day. In the Girls Division, Grace Heiss of Dallas sits at T2 trails after firing an 82-85 on Monday. Grace Kalina of Frisco is also tied for second, after rounds of 83-84.
Golf Course: Shady Valley Country Club was founded in 1959 and was designed by C.H. Wilemon Jr. The par-71 layout is playing to just over 6,400 yards for the Boys Division and nearly 5,900 yards for the Girls Division. Featuring tree lined fairways, water features, and small green complexes, the course demands players hit a variety of different shots.
Weather: Round one opened on a hot morning, with temperatures in the low-90’s for the first tee time. Temperatures ramped up to the upper-90’s as players completed their first round and settled in the low-100’s throughout the second round.
Tournament Format: The Collegiate Preview is a 54-hole stroke-play event for players ages 14-19 that have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. The event is divided into two divisions: Boys and Girls.
Texas Junior Golf Alliance: The Alliance is a joint venture between the Texas Golf Association, Northern and Southern Texas PGA and Houston Golf Association. The goal of the Alliance was to allow junior golfers a clear path to the best tournaments in Texas. Each of the three tier-two organizations (STPGA, NTPGA, HGA) conduct events that serve as qualifiers into the statewide tier-one events run by the Legends Junior Tour (LJT). This allows players to compete in local events in which they can earn spots to play in statewide tournaments.
Player of the Year Points: 1000 points in the 2023 Player of the Year Point Race are up for grabs this week at the Collegiate Preview. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division. All players that finish in the top half of each division will earn points towards the LJT Player of the Year Standings. The event is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard, Golfweek, and WAGR.
Next Up: The Final Round of the Collegiate Preview is set to begin at 7:30 am off the No. 1 tee at Shady Valley Country Club on Tuesday, June 27th.
For more information on the Collegiate Preview, click here. To see all the scores from the Collegiate Preview at Shady Valley Country Club, click here.
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Parmar, Bramwell, Frerichs, win Flodder Financial Shootout
Briefly: Joah Bramwell of Houston cards a final round 72 to win the Boys 15-18 Division. Bramwell finished the tournament at 1-over par 145 after rounds of 73-72. Houston’s Brooke Frerichs holds on to her first day lead to win the Girls 12-18 Division with a tournament total of 7-over par 151. Aadi Parmar of Selma came out on top in the Boys 14 & Under Division. Parmar, the first round leader, finished at 1-under par 143 for an 11 stroke win in the division.
In Contention: After finishing in a tie for third on day one, Joah Bramwell shoots even par to win by 2 strokes in close battle throughout the day. Patrick Babb, Blake Burt, and Nicholas Norris all finished in a tie for second at 3-over 147. Babb carded a final round 73, Burt finished with a 74, and Norris shot a final round 75. Hayden Halaska, Price Hill, and Isaac Adams all finished tied for fifth place at 5-over 149 for the tournament.
In the boys 14 and under division, first round leader Aadi Parmar finished at one-under par to win in dominant fashion. Landon Hilario followed Parmar in second at 10-over par and Benjamin Padua finishing in third at 11 over par. This is Aadi’s second win in 2023 and his first time claiming the Flodder Financial Shootout Buckle.
In the Girls 12-18 Division, first round leader Brooke Frerichs holds her lead to claim her back-to-back title by one shot in an exciting finish. Danica Lundgren finished second at 8-over par 152. Bella Scucchi takes third place with 154 overall and Syna Nijhawan finishes in the top 5 for the second year in a row.
In addition to the overall champions, the low final round score was also recognized in each division. These players were recognized by the Flodder Financial Group for their commitment to finishing the tournament strong. Charlie Hubbard was recognized in the Boys 15-18 Division with a final round 72, Benjamin Padua was recognized in the Boys 14 & Under Division with a final round 75, and Syna Nijhawan was recognized in the Girls 12-18 Division with a final round 75.
Golf Course: The Club at Falcon Point is hosting the Flodder Financial Shootout for the fourth straight year. Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge, the golf course features 18 championship holes forcing players to hit a variety of shots. The course is playing just over 6,600 yards in both the Boys 15-18 Division and the Boys 14 & Under Division and a little less than 6,000 yards in the Girls 12-18 Division.
About the Sponsor: The Flodder Financial Group has sponsored the Flodder Financial Shootout since it’s inception in 2010. The group’s goal is to provide the most complete and accessible set of applications to help monitor and manage accounts. Kyle Flodder is the Managing Director of Client Strategies and played junior golf in Texas before going on to play collegiately at TCU. President of the group is Steven Flodder, who enjoys coming out and watching the players during the Flodder Financial Shootout.
Tournament Format: The Flodder Financial Shootout is a 36-hole stroke play event for players ages 12-19 that have a valid membership with a member of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance.
Weather: Players battled high humidity through out the morning. Temperatures for the day ranged from 81 to 96 degrees with not much cloud cover. Winds slowed down from the first round, with speeds topping out at 12 mph.
What’s at Stake: The top half of each division field will be awarded points towards the LJT Player of the Year Standings. The tournament is ranked by Golfweek and Junior Golf Scoreboard. Multiple Tournament Exemptions not future Championships will also be awarded to top finishers in each division.
Player of the Year Points: Aadi Parmar, Joah Bramwell and Brooke Fririchs all earned 1000 points in the Player of the Year Point Race. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division. Player of the Year Standing can be viewed here.
What’s Next: The next stop on the LJT schedule is the Collegiate Preview at Shady Valley Country Club on June 26-27. For more information about the LJT Collegiate Preview, click here.
For more information about the Flodder Financial Shootout, click here. To see all tournament scores, click here.
Around the Green
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Frerichs, Norris, O’Rear and Parmar Lead Divisions after First Round
Briefly: Rhett O’Rear of Plano and Nicholas Norris of Dallas, co-lead the Boys 15-18 Division after an opening round of even par 72. O’Rears round consisted of three birdies on the day and three bogeys. Norris recorded seven birdies on the day which included a back nine that he described in his own words as a “rollercoaster” to finish out.
Brooke Frerichs of Houston currently holds a two-shot lead in the Girls 12-18 Division. Frerichs recorded 4 birdies on the day and carded an opening round of 3 -over par 75. Frerichs is seeking to defend her LJT Flodder Financial title from last year going into the final round tomorrow.
Aadi Parmar of Selma leads the Boys 14 & Under Division at even par. Parmar recorded 5 birdies on the day including 3 of his last 4 holes on the front nine. Aadi is looking for his second win on the Legends Junior Tour this year.
In Contention: In the Boys 15-18 Division, there are 11 players within three shots of the lead. Blake Burt, Turner Chiles and Joah Bramwell all sit one stroke behind the co-leaders. Isaac Adams, Patrick Babb and Hayden Halaska are tied for fourth at 2 over par 73. Price Hill, Lincoln Staats and Robert Ethan Gonzalez are all tied for fifth at 2-over par 74.
In the Girls Division, Danica Lundgren sits in second place two shots behind Frerichs with a 5 over-par 75. Following Brooke and Danica is Bella Scucchi in third at 6 -over par 78. Syna Nijhawan and Ceci Lococo sit behind Brooke and Scucchi in a tie for fourth place at 9 -over par 79.
In the Boys 14 and Under Division, Jeronimo Sanchez Montalvo sits in second place, six shots off the lead, after an opening round of 5-over par 77. Dylan Knox follows in third place with a first round 78 and Landon Hilario in fourth place with a seven-over par 79.
Golf Course: The Club at Falcon Point is hosting the Flodder Financial Shootout for the sixth straight year. Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge, the golf course features 18 championship holes forcing players to hit a variety of shots. The course is playing just over 6,600 yards in the Boys 15-18 Division and almost 6400 yards in the Boys 14 & Under Division. The Girls 12 – 18 Division course played at 5,900 yards.
About the Sponsor: The Flodder Financial Group has sponsored the Flodder Financial Shootout since it’s inception in 2010. The group’s goal is to provide the most complete and accessible set of applications to help monitor and manage accounts. Kyle Flodder is the Managing Director of Client Strategies and played junior golf in Texas before going on to play collegiately at TCU. President of the group is Steven Flodder, who enjoys coming out and watching the players during the Flodder Financial Shootout.
Tournament Format: The Flodder Financial Shootout is a 36-hole stroke play event for players ages 12-19 that have a valid membership with a member of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. The tournament field features three divisions: Boys 15-18, Boys 14 & Under and Girls 12-18.
Weather: Round 1 of the Flodder Financial Shootout featured clear blue skies throughout the day with wind gusts blowing 10-20mph out of the South and Southwest. The players teed off this morning with temperatures in the low 80’s and finished their rounds with temperatures in the low 100’s.
What’s at Stake: The top half of each division field will be awarded points towards the LJT Player of the Year Standings. The tournament is ranked by Golfweek and Junior Golf Scoreboard. Several future LJT Tournament Exemptions will be handed out to the top finishers in each division.
Player of the Year Points: 1000 points in the 2023 Player of the Year Point Race are up for grabs this weekend at the Winter Classic. Points are awarded at each tournament to the top half of each age division.
What’s Next: The final round of the Flodder Financial Shootout will begin at 7:30 am on Tuesday, June 20. Players will tee off the No. 1 and No. 10 tees throughout the morning with champions being crowned upon completion of the final round.
For more information about the Flodder Financial Shootout, click here. To see all the scores from Monday’s action, click here.
Around the Green
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LJT Flodder Financial Shootout Set for June 19-20
The Legends Junior Tour is headed back to The Club at Falcon Point in Katy for the 11th edition of the Flodder Financial Shootout. Scheduled for June 19-20, this is the sixth consecutive year the club has hosted the elite junior championship.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to The Club at Falcon Point,” said Adam Schulte, LJT Tournament Manager. “The club has been a fantastic venue for the Flodder Financial Shootout as well as a tremendous supporter of junior golf, and we are looking forward to another great event with a strong field of players.”
The Club at Falcon Point’s 18-hole golf course was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge and opened for play in 1984. The strategic par-72 layout was routed to utilize the area’s natural topography, resulting in a demanding course with a wide variety of holes guarded by vast native areas and numerous water hazards.
Flodder Financial Group has been the proud sponsor of the championship since the tournament’s inception in 2013. The company’s commitment and dedication to junior golf has allowed the championship to grow over the years and become one of the most popular events on the LJT’s annual schedule.
The format for the 11th Flodder Financial Shootout is 36 holes of individual stroke play and will feature an 84-player starting field comprised of three divisions: Boys 15-18 (54 players), Girls 12-18 (16), and Boys 14 & Under (14). The winners in each division will be awarded a custom-made silver belt buckle, courtesy of the Flodder Financial Group. Also, a smaller belt buckle will be presented to the lowest scorer in the final round in each division. In addition to the one-of-a-kind trophies, the top finishers in each division will earn AJGA Performance Stars along with exemptions into upcoming LJT Invitational events.
At last year’s championship, Ethan Law of Spring carded rounds of 72-71 to win the Boys 15-18 Division. His 1-over-par total of 143 was good for a one-shot margin of victory over Aidan Dortch of Dallas. Brooke Frerichs of Calgary finished at 12-over 156 to capture the Girls 12-18 Division by one shot over runners-up Syna Nijhawan of Houston and Gaia Esparza of Helotes. In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Grant Baer of Argyle posted a two-day total of 147 (+3) to win the title by three shots over Khai Reyes of Plano.
All three players joined a distinguished list of notable past champions that includes Cole Hammer, Walker Lee, Travis Vick, Ashni Dhruva, Macy Fox, Scott Roden, and Garrett Martin.
Starting times and pairings for the first round are posted on the LJT Flodder Financial Shootout main page. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from The Club at Falcon Point.
ABOUT FLODDER FINANCIAL GROUP: The Flodder Financial Group prides itself on serving its clients through strong relationships. Its experienced team of advisors work with each client on a personal level. The group helps develop and implement tax, savings, investment and estate planning strategies. To learn more, click here.