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YEUNG SEALS WIN AT JUNIOR ALL-STAR AT NEMACOLIN
Alonso wins in final AJGA Junior All-Star appearance
FARMINGTON, Pa. — Motin Yeung of Orlando, Fla., clinched the win with a 15-foot putt for par on No. 18., carding a 75-72-73—220 at the Junior All-Star at Nemacolin in the Boys Division. In the Girls Division, Regina Alonso of Huixquilucan, Mexico won her last AJGA Junior All-Star carding 75-79-77—231.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Junior All-Star at Nemacolin was played at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Mystic Rock Course. The tournament field consisted of 97 players, 75 boys and 22 girls ages 12-15, from 23 states, Mexico and Canada. The Boys Division was played at 6,807 yards and the Girls Division at 6,005 yards.
A not so nervous Yeung kept control of his play in Thursday's final round. With his confidence high, Yeung was not worried about winning, but more so about how he played his game.
“My dad was telling me to play my game and not think about what the others were doing,” Yeung said. “He told me he would be happy whether I won or not.”
With a supportive dad behind him, Yeung was able to keep his game together making 14 pars on the day. With a birdie on No. 5, Yeung was able to capture the lead.
“After No. 5 I played better,” Yeung said. “Taking the lead really took the pressure off.”
Tom Lovelady of Birmingham, Ala., came in second at 5-over-par 221. Tied for third were Gavin Hall of Pittsford, NY and Jake Mondy of Blacksburg, Va., at 6-over-par 222. Rounding out the top five for the Boys Division were Joo-Young Lee of Hilliard, Ohio and Boo Timko of Girard, Ohio, at 8-over-par 224.
In the Girls Division, Alonso went into the final round with her own goal to try and shoot as low as the boys. Starting off with a chip-in birdie on No. 1, she managed to obtain steady play. Alonso carded a 5-over-par 77 for her final round, though she was not as serene as she had been the previous two rounds.
“My first two rounds I was calm,” Alonso said. “Today I was very nervous. Augusta [James] was playing well and the scores were close. I knew I couldn't miss, or I would lose the lead.”
Soon to be 16, Alonso was pleased with her performances in the Junior All-Star Series.
“It feels good that I got into the AJGA this year,” she said. “I got the chance to play in a couple Junior All-Stars, I'm happy to have won them both.” Alonso also won this year's Junior All-Star at Aspen in June.
Augusta James of Tamworth, Ontario placed second at 18-over-par 234. Joining Alonso and James in the top three was Laura Murray of Tipp City, Ohio at 24-over-par 240.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.
The largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 foreign countries.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.
For more information about the Junior All-Star at Nemacolin, please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
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