By Landon Pederson, AJGA Communications
The inaugural KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational features a brand new format for the AJGA. The format consists of mixed pairings between 32 boys and 32 girls, ages 12-15, in groups of four (two boys and two girls) competing in a 54-hole, stroke-play championship. Along with a Boys and Girls Division champion, a team champion will be decided with a new boys-versus-girls competition. The top eight cumulative boys’ and girls’ scores will determine the overall team champion between both divisions. The first-time event will be held at the Blessings Golf Club, home of Stacy Lewis' alma mater, the University of Arkansas.
Monday night, Stacy Lewis hosted a clinic and shared some insights during a Q&A session with the field. More than 200 guests were treated to stories, insights and advice from the No. 3 player in the Rolex Rankings.
The Heck sisters, Abigail and Rachel, of Memphis, Tennessee, are seeking their first AJGA career victories this week. Abigail, currently ranked 164th in the Polo Golf Rankings, had her career-best finish at the 2014 AJGA Huntsville Junior, where she tied for third. Rachel, currently ranked 168th in the Polo Golf Rankings, tied for fourth at the Junior All-Star at Chateau Elan in April for her best finish early in her AJGA career.
- Four juniors competing in this week’s inaugural event have verbally committed to play golf at a college of their choice. Devondeep Bling, 15, has verbally committed to UCLA. Varun Chopra, 15, is a verbal commit to the University of Illinois. Ryan Gerard, 15, is verbally committed to UNC-Chapel Hill. Mason Nome, 14, is a University of Texas verbal commit.