By Drea Braxmeier
Manager of Media Relations

Easter Weekend 2007 is certainly one that won’t be forgotten by those who participated in American Junior Golf Association events. For some, it will be remembered for chip shots and birdie putts. Most others, however, will remember it for something else – the weather. As 100-year low temperatures embraced the southeast and winter-like weather snaked its way through Texas, only two tournaments came to fruition without delays or cancellations.

Banners on the driving range at the Mizuno Junior at Chateau Elan.

The Mizuno Junior at Chateau Elan was one for the record books. As bitingly cold temperatures blanketed the greater-Atlanta area, frost delays were the story of the tournament. After getting in a full 18 holes Friday, things got more complicated from there. Saturday, the Boys Division played the front nine and the Girls Division played the back nine twice. Sunday, they switched things up with the Boys Division playing the back nine for a total of 36 holes and the Girls Division playing the front for a 45-hole total.

However, a champion did emerge from both Divisions. In the Boys Division, Spencer Cole of Greer, S.C., birdied No. 17 and overcame a late three-stroke deficit to win his third AJGA title. Wesley Graham of Port Orange, Fla., was not able to hold on to his lead and closed with bogeys on three of his final four holes. Cole carded a 3-over-par 145 (72-37-36) tournament total to win by one stroke.

In the Girls Division, Courtney Ellenbogen of Blacksburg, Va., earned her first AJGA victory. Finishing with a 4-over-par 181 (69-73-39), Ellenbogen withstood a comeback bid by Sally Watson of South Queensferry, Scotland. She finished two shots behind the victor.

Bunny Tees made their mark on the PING Junior at The Woodlands.

At the PING Junior at The Woodlands, wild weather made its mark on the event. While rounds were never shortened, wind and rain certainly caused some interesting situations.

Sang Yi of Carrollton, Texas, earned his first AJGA victory after posting a 3-under-par 69 and a tournament total of 4-under-par 212. Yi topped off his win with an eagle on the par-5, No. 9. He finished three shots ahead of Kelly Kraft of Denton, Texas.

In the Girls Division, Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif., earned her fourth AJGA tournament title after shooting a closing-round 75. While starting the day with a six-stroke lead, Rah carded bogey on her first three holes. Luckily, she was able to play even-par the rest of the way and held on to win by three shots over Brianna Do of Lakewood, Calif.

Out west at the ReBath Heather Farr Classic, perfect skies and warm temperatures was the name of the game. Longbow Golf Club hosted the ninth annual event for its fourth time. After taking hold of the lead in the first round and holding on throughout the second, Richard Lee of Chandler, Ariz., saw his lead begin to diminish during the front nine of the final round. After playing the front nine 5-over-par, Lee took over his game as he made the turn. Michael Jae Woo Im of Fullerton, Calif., tried his hardest to challenge Lee, but was never completely successful. Lee shot a 5-under-par 31 on the back and finished the event with a 64-69-72–205 tournament total, two shots ahead of Im.

Richard Lee took home top honors in the Boys Division at the ReBath Heather Farr Classic.

In the Girls Division, Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, Hawaii, took home her first AJGA victory since 2004. Starting the final round three shots out of the lead in third place, Kim birdied three of her last five holes to put her ahead of first- and second-round leader Rachel Morris of Carlsbad, Calif. She finished the event with a 70-71-68–209 tournament total.

The only non-Open event to take place over the Easter Weekend was the Medicus Preseason Junior at Tapatio Springs. The boys-only field of 84 players was only able to get one round of play in. After the wind and cold stopped play on day one, players got on their warmest gear and braved the elements. Mark Mumford of Rye, N.Y., won his first AJGA event after shooting a 2-under-par 70 and took home the victory by two strokes.

With the first events of the 2007 AJGA season now in the books, everyone involved can look back at the successes and look forward to everything left to come.