Lovemark, Park Victorious at Sea Island

Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., won the Polo Golf Junior Classic on Friday. The first-team Rolex Junior All-American claimed the second Invitational title of his junior career by defeating Tadd Fujikawa.

Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., defeated Tadd Fujikawa of Honolulu, Hawaii, 5 & 3 to win the Boys Division title at the Polo Golf Junior Classic Friday. The two-time Rolex Junior All-American claimed his second Invitational title with the win at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course. In the Girls Division, Angela Park of Torrance, Calif., capped off a dominating week of play with a 4 & 3 victory over Mina Harigae of Monterey, Calif.

Lovemark, who won the 2004 Rolex Tournament of Champions and the 2005 Western Amateur, got off to a fast start with a chip-in birdie on No. 1 and saw his advantage extend to 2-up through nine holes of play. The University of Southern California-bound junior wasted no time expanding his lead to 4-up through 11 holes, by making birdie on No. 10 and capitalizing on a Fujikawa bogey on No. 11. Lovemark would move to dormie 4, with Fujikawa unable to mount a charge.

“It was a rough day for both of us,” Lovemark said. “Pars were winning on most holes. This course is difficult and Tadd was a tough opponent,” he added.

Lovemark would finish the match on No. 15 and add another notch to his already impressive junior golf resume.

“I am beginning to wrap up my junior career and with only a few tournaments left before I head off to college, this win certainly means a lot,” Lovemark said. “This is very special to me,” he added.

Park, a three-time Rolex Junior All-American, went 1-up after the first hole and never relinquished the lead. Her advantage would grow to 2-up on No. 7, after Harigae made bogey on the par-4. Park would continue the steady play which propelled her through the week.

“I had been struggling with my irons coming into the week, but I was able to work out a few problems and develop some confidence as the tournament went on,” Park said. “I played my game and tried not to give up shots to my opponents.”

Park concluded the match on No. 15 with a birdie and sealed the sixth victory of her junior career.

“This means a lot,” Park said. “This is the biggest tournament in junior golf and to come out with a win is just very special,” she said.

View the Boys and Girls Final Match Play Bracket (.pdf).