GP Junior (Nov-Dec 18) Cover | Page 9

INTERNATIONAL NEWS The state of California has had teams win the Championship four times. Teams representing Georgia and California have advanced to the Championship fi nals all six years, with Georgia winning in 2013 and 2017. “We’re thrilled to host the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental at Grayhawk through 2022,” said Grayhawk PGA Director of Golf Joe Shershenovich, PGA. “The entire Arizona golf community has really embraced the tournament in its fi rst two years, with four more to come. Hosting the PGA Jr. League Championship reinforces Grayhawk’s relationship with PGA REACH and the PGA of America, and advances our common commitment to grow the game. AJGA NAMES TRANSAMERICA SCHOLASTIC JUNIOR ALL - AMERICA TEAM Twenty-four juniors honoured by the AJGA and Transamerica for achievements on the golf course, in the classroom Twenty-four of the nation’s brightest minds and best junior golfers were named to the 2018 Transamerica Scholastic Junior All-America Team, the American Junior Golf Association announced on October 4. Created in 1988, the team consists of 12 young men and 12 young women who demonstrate the ability to excel not only on the golf course, but also in the classroom and in the community. “These 24 exceptional young men and women are impressive on so many levels,” said Brian Forbes, director of sponsorships for Transamerica. “They exemplify sportsmanship on the golf course and citizenship in their schools and in their communities. At Transamerica, we share their commitment and passion for a healthy and active lifestyle. We are proud to support their efforts, and we congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.” To be eligible to apply for the Transamerica Scholastic Junior All-America Team, applicants must be high school juniors or seniors with a top fi nish in an AJGA Open or Invitational event (boys: top 10, girls: top fi ve). After qualifying, selections were based on the following criteria (in order of importance): standardized test scores, GPA, school leadership and community service. The AJGA uses an adjusted GPA scale to systematically compare applicants. AJGA NAMES ROLEX JUNIOR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR, ROLEX JUNIOR ALL-AMERICA TEAMS Introduced by the American Junior Golf Association in 1978, the Rolex Junior All-America Teams annually recognize players who have proven to be the world’s best. Akshay Bhatia of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Yealimi Noh of Concord, California, join a historical list of Rolex Junior Players of the Year. This year’s Rolex Junior All-America Teams are comprised of 96 junior golfers ages 14-19, from 21 states and eight countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. These young men and women distinguished themselves through their outstanding play in 135 national junior golf events, 120 of which were conducted by the AJGA. The teams, and Rolex Junior Player of the Year honours, were determined exclusively through the Rolex AJGA Rankings as of October 15 play was underway it was a beautiful day for junior golf. Jacob Mason of Westminster, CO (2020) and Mason Mancasola of Loomis, CA (2020) share the lead in the Boys division of the FCWT Junior Golf Tournament Wolf Run 2018. Both junior golfers carded an opening round of 76. Jacob is playing in his fi rst FCWT tournament. Mason fi nished in 9th place at Centennial last month. Garrett Takeuchi of Fresno, CA (2020) share 5th place at 80. Fifteen-year-old Walsh played his fi rst FCWT tournament. Garrett won last season at the FCWT junior golf tournament Empire Ranch when he fi red a fi nal round of 66. KINGS GRAD SWAYNE GAINS AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF HONOURS AT CLEMSON Alexandra Swayne of Maineville has been given an honorable mention in the Rolex Junior All-American by the American Junior Golf Association, establishing her among the top tier of current and former junior golfers from around the world. Swayne is a 2018 graduate of Kings High School playing at Clemson. Her fi rst season highlights include fi rst- time Rolex Junior All-American, winning the AJGA Junior at Forest Lake presented by Tom Holzer Ford and three top-three fi nishes in fi ve AJGA events. Swayne currently has a 75 average for Clemson, whose season continues Nov. 2-4 in the Battle at the Beach at Cabo San Luca, Mexico. Her best round of the fall was a 70 at the Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Oklahoma in September. FCWT JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT WOLF RUN 2018 The FCWT Junior Golf Tournament Wolf Run 2018 took place on October 20-21, 2018. Junior golfers played a total of 36-holes of stroke play at the Wolf Run Golf Club in Reno, NV. This is one of the FCWT junior golf tournaments on the 2018-2019 schedule. Bhatia, Noh named Rolex Junior Players of the Year The start of Round One of the FCWT Junior Golf Tournament Wolf Run 2018 had a 30 minute weather delay, but once Alexandra Swayne GolfPlus Junior November-December 2018 9