Thirteen current Pepsi Little People’s players have qualified to play in the 2021 IMG Academy Junior Golf World Championships in San Diego, CA, July 12-16.
“We are excited for these players,” said Nan Ryan, Little People’s Executive Director. “It’s quite an honor to play in the IMG, the largest and most prestigious of the junior golf tournaments.”
Boys and girls aged 5 through 17 were given the opportunity to try to qualify for the IMG during the 2021 Pepsi Little People’s in Quincy, IL, June 22-23, 2021. The honor went to the lowest scoring boy and girl aged 5 through 17 who had registered to try to qualify at Little People’s. Little People’s has been a qualifying event for the IMG since 2010.
This year’s winners who will compete in the IMG event are Ashton O’Kola, 5, St. Peter, Barbados; Kamdon Jones, 6, Hanover, IN; Luke Mulligan, 9, Burr Ridge, IL; Lester Low, 11, Evanston, IL; Leona Rupp, 10, Iowa City, IA; and Caden Fehr, 12, Wildwood, MO.
Also Kieran Low, 13, Evanston, IL; Mason Lewis, 14, Edwardsville, IL; Tanner Leonard, 15, Frankfort, IL; Avery McLaughlin, 14, St. Louis, MO; Keaton Thissen, 16, Davenport, IA; Eric Klutke, 17, Crystal Lake, IL, and Paige Compardo, 16, Murphysboro, IL.
The Junior World Golf Championship has been an integral part of the junior golf scene since 1968, when 475 juniors participated representing 7 countries and 20 states. Today, the tournament has grown to 1250 participants representing 56 countries and 42 states. It is the largest international event in the world and is unique for its international representation and cultural diversity.
“We look forward to watching our Little People’s players compete in the IMG event,” stated Ryan, “and wish them all the very best. It’s a great opportunity for them to test their golfing skills against players from other states and countries, and to make everlasting friendships,” added Ryan.
ABOUT PEPSI LITTLE PEOPLE’S
Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships is an international event for boys and girls ages 3 through 18, and will celebrate its 49th annual tournament June 20-22, 2022. Play is in seven age divisions for boys and seven for girls (3-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18). Trophies are awarded for 1st through 3rd in all divisions, with medals for 4th-6th in the 10-18 divisions, and participant trophies for all non-trophy winners ages 3 through 9. Play is at the 27-hole Westview Golf Course and the 9-hole Par-3 KC Golf Course, both in Quincy, IL. It is a ranked tournament by Junior Golf Scoreboard, GolfWeek/Sagarin and Global Junior Golf Rankings. More information and entry forms can be found at www.littlepeoplegolf.com, or by contacting Nan Ryan at 217-257- 5718 or jrgolfer@littlepeoplesgolf.com
ABOUT IMG ACADEMY JUNIOR WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
The IMG Junior World Golf Championship was founded in 1968 with the goal of bringing young golfers from all parts of the world together in hopes of achieving a greater understanding among people of differing cultures and values through the game of golf. It is open to boys and girls ages 6 and under to age 18, and will be played on multiple courses in the San Diego, CA, area, July 12-16, 2021. For more information go to www.juniorworldgolf.com or call 619-546-6737.
Little People’s Tournament Office
Phone: 217-257-5718
www.littlepeoplesgolf.com