Hilton Head Island, SC-The stage is finally set as the International Junior Golf Tour wrapped up its 2009-2010 regular season with its final two events on May 16th. The 2010 Bridgestone Golf Tournament of Champions presented by BMW will take place May 28-31, 2010 at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, FL and will feature some of the premier junior golfers from around the world. The three-day event held annually at the Grand Cypress Resort facility, is the culmination of a season that stretches over a period of nine months, in which top junior golfers from across the world compete in over 65 events located all over the U.S. With over 200 competitors in the field, the event is widely known as having one of the largest and strongest fields in junior golf. This year’s event is no different. With many of the top junior golfers in the U.S. and abroad playing in the event, the pressure is on these young competitors to deliver the performance of their career.
There are five age divisions at the event including the Boys 16-19 Division, Boys 13-15 Division, Boys U-12 Division, Girls 15-19 Division, and Girls U-14 Division.
In the Boys 16-19 Division, much will be made from the battle between two competitors at the top of the points race for this division’s Player of the Year award. Michael Werenski of South Hadley, MA and Andrew Gai of Westport, CT are currently one and two in rankings for the divisions “Player of the Year” race, which will be announced at the banquet dinner on Sunday night. These two consistent players have amassed a total of 10 wins over the course of the season, both with streaks of at least two consecutive wins in events played. Not far behind Werenski and Gai is a string of past champions on the IJGT, including the likes of Johannesburg, South Africa native Matthew Rushton and Kyle Nakazaki of Manhattan Beach, CA. The largest of the divisions, the Boys 16-19 Division has proved to be a launching point for many successful collegiate and professional golfers, including current PGA Tour professionals Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan.
As the latest crop of older players takes their final bow at this year’s event, lying in wait is a talented group of up-and-comers competing against the best in the Boys 13-15 Division. Point’s race leader, J.J. Qualkenbush of La Quinta, CA, looks to take his game to the next level as he competes against 35 of the best 13, 14, and 15 year olds in the world. Some of the top juniors giving chase to this year’s title are season winners Renato Bordes of Xalapa, Mexico and Emilio Maurer Lorente of Howey-in-the-Hills, FL, among many other talented players.
The Boys U-12 Division has long been known as an introductory experience for many juniors into the world of competitive golf. However, over the past few years, an incredibly talented crop of players have made their way into the age division, adding a competitive edge usually reserved for the older boys divisions. Headlining this division is points leader Michael Phan of Newport Coast, CA. Following close behind Phan are Willis Huynh of Syosset, NY (8 wins), Noah Edmondson of Davidson, NC (10 wins), and Derrick Villarreal of Hartland, WI (10 wins).
Just as the Boys 16-19 Division has served as a launching point for many successful golfers, the Girls 15-19 Division has also produced numerous collegiate and professional stars including the likes of LPGA professionals Morgan Pressel and In-Kyung Kim. The current crop of future stars competing in the 2010 Bridgestone Golf Tournament of Champions presented by BMW will ensure that legacy continues. Some of the top players with high hopes of a championship victory include multiple winners Yuri Otsuka of Chiba, Japan, Yang Yue Hill of Palm Desert, CA and Monifa Sealy of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Girls U-14 Division will host the future stars of the Girls 15-19 Division during the event. With a tight point’s race coming down the stretch, Sammi Lee and Julie Luo will look to continue their one-on-one battle for overall bragging rights to come at the end of May. Not far behind Lee and Luo, Gabrielle Weiss of Macungie, PA looks to bring the confidence that comes along with a multiple win season and give the two points race leaders a run for their money.
About the IJGT
The International Junior Golf Tour is the only junior golf tour to host events every weekend throughout the academic year, with over 70 tournaments annually. In addition, the IJGT hosts 3 international events. Players from all 50 states and from over 30 countries around the world regularly compete in events at venues such as TPC Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Bethpage State Park, and Harbour Town Golf Links.
To obtain more information about the IJGT, please visit www.IJGT.com or call (800) 792-9143.
For more information on the 2010 Bridgestone Golf Tournament of Champions, please visit http://www.ijgt.com/details.php?id=382.
Contact:
Glenn Gray
International Junior Golf Tour
GlennG@ijga.com
843-686-1526
Mary Beth Lacy
Mary Beth Lacy, Inc. Public Relations
(760) 346-6942
mb@mblacy.com
