Newby Shoots 2-under-par 70 to Win at the Preseason Junior at The Bridges Golf Club
Loza wins in come-from-behind fashion
GUNTER, Texas – Justin Newby of Allen, Texas made six birdies to shoot a 2-under-par 70 to come from behind and win the Preseason Junior at The Bridges Golf Club. Isabella Loza of Bucaramanga, Columbia shot a 1-over-par 74 to win the Girls Division by three strokes.
The Preseason Junior at The Bridges Golf Club was a 36-hole stroke play tournament conducted by the American Junior Golf Association and played at par-72 for the Boys Division and par-73 for the Girls Division. The 85-player field features 61 boys and 24 girls from a total of 19 states and Colombia. The Boys Division played at 6,749 yards and the Girls Division played at 5,922 yards.
After an opening round 6-over-par 78, Newby shaved off eight strokes and shot the low round of the tournament. He credited his putting to the victory.
“On No. 3, I switched my putting method,” Newby said. “Once I did that, everything started clicking. It feels great to get a victory.”
Finishing in second place with a total score of 5-over-par 149 was Josh Warlick of Germantown, Tenn. In third place, was Brandon Newton of Ruston, La., who shot a final round 2-over-par 74. In a tie for fourth place was Ryan Argotsinger of Lee's Summit, Mo., Tyler Bumpass of San Antonio and Luke Thomas of Plano, Texas with a two-day total of 9-over-par 153. There was a three-way tie for fifth place at 10-over-par 154.
Loza, who was one shot back after the first round, made four birdies today to win her first AJGA tournament.
“I had a couple of bad holes in the beginning,” Loza said. “Then I made a couple of birdies and got some consistency into my game. I am very proud of myself today.”
In second place was Mackenzie Thayer of Garden City, Kan., who shot an even-par 73 today and finished the tournament at 12-over-par 158. In a tie for third place was Julia Bazaldua of Arlington, Texas and Naomi Ko of Victoria, British Columbia at 15-over-par 161.
The AJGA's Preseason Junior Series is designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet been accepted to or participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series event in the current calendar year and/or the previous calendar year.
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 AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.
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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.
For more information about the Preseason Junior at The Bridges Golf Club, contact AJGA Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
