Baylor Country Invitational
The Baylor Country Invitational was played September 5th-6th 2008 at Twin Rivers GC in Waco, Texas, home of the Baylor Men and Women’s golf teams.
This 36-hole Golfweek-ranked event saw 107 players from four states and Mexico teeing it up in perfect weather. The course was in incredible condition with all Boys playing 6,921 yards and all Girls playing 5,674 yards. Several college coaches were in attendance once again with Baylor, North Texas, Midwestern State, St. Edwards and McClennan CC just a few of the schools being represented.
The Saturday night banquet at the Waco Convention Center had an unbelievable 375 parents and players in attendance and all were treated to a very-informative keynote speech by former Olympic Gold-Medalist Lanny Bassham. In addition to the TGJT bag tag, Nike shirt, cap, and dozen balls the players received at check-in, all players at the banquet left with a pair of Koss noise-canceling earphones, a customized Nike knapsack, and an autographed copy of Lanny’s best-selling book, “With Winning in Mind”. 
On to the action. If you had any doubt as to the level of play found on the TJGT all you have to do is look at the final leader board in the Boys division after regulation play. A whopping four players were tied at the top of the leader board after 36 holes at 1-under par on a course that is home to a D-1 Men’s golf team.
What seems to be a common occurrence on the TJGT was no different in the first invitational of the young season-more playoffs. Austin Struble, Aledo 2009, Brax McCarthy, Ft. Worth 2010, Brad Mason, Dallas 2009, and Mitchell Griffin, Driftwood 2009 all found themselves heading back to the course to determine the winner after being tied at the conclusion of round two. In the 4-man playoff, Struble, McCarthy par first playoff hole, Mason, Griffin both bogey.
All four par the second playoff hole. Struble parred the third playoff hole to defeat McCarthy for first place. McCarthy places 2nd. Mason pars to defeat Griffin for third place on third playoff hole.
Another playoff to determine the 5th spot saw Cal Clyde defeating Brian Swanson, Katy, 2009 on second playoff hole with birdie to place 5th .
The top five looked like this:
Boys 12-18
1. Austin Struble, Aledo 2009 67-76
2. Brax McCarthy, Ft. Worth 2010 69-74
3. Brad Mason, Dallas 2009 72-71
4. Mitchell Griffin, Driftwood 71-72
5. Cal Clyde, Tyler 2009 69-75
Not to be outdone by the boys, the girls played some pretty good golf as well. Alexa Park, Southlake 2009 posted a final round 71 to take the title by two over Kaylin Terry. Mei Liu defeated Balbina Guajardo, San Pedro, Garza Garcia and Chelsey Cothran, Springdale, Arkansas on the first playoff hole with a par for third place.
Girls 12-18
1. Alexa Park, Southlake 2009 74-71
2. Kaylin Terry, Austin 2010 72-75
3. Mei Liu, Austin 2009 75-74
4. Balbina Guajardo, San Pedro, Garza Garcia 76-73
5. Chelsey Cothran, Springdale, Arkansas 76-73
A special thanks to everyone that made this a wonderful weekend of golf and special recognition to the Twin Rivers staff for all they did.
TJGT ELITE MINI-TOUR
The first invitational on the EMT was played concurrently with the Bear Country Invitational right down the road at the host course of the Starburst Junior Golf Classic. The Bear Country Mini Tour Major was played at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. Nike golf bags and backpacks were only a part of what awaited the players at check-in. Along with the players and parents on the big tour, all players and parents on the mini-tour were invited to the Banquet on Saturday night. The weather was outstanding and the course was in fantastic condition. All players played 36-holes in this nationally ranked event with the Boys 12-13 playing 5,600 yards, the Boys 11-12 playing 5,500 yards, and the Boys & Girls 8-9 playing 4,200 yards.
We had several EMT “firsts” at this event, a few of which are the following:
The first multiple winner on the EMT and the first player to post an under-par score, Daniel Martinez.
Hanna Liu was the first young lady to compete on the EMT and the first girl champion.
The first hole-in-one by Joseph Jones,
and the first sibling champions, William & Daniel Martinez.
A special shout out goes to Blake Stock who posted a great second round to finish third in the Boys 12-13 (75) that started with an eagle on the first hole.
Here’s how things ended up after 36 holes:
Boys 8-9
1) Daniel Martinez, Austin, 2017; 77-69-146
2) Lansford Scott, Trinity, 2017; 82-81-163
3) Garrett Leek, West, 2018; 84-85-169
Boys 10-11
1) Mauricio Cohn, San Antonio, 2015; 74-80-154
2) Charles Kim, Cedar Park, 2015; 79-77-156
3) Hunter Glenn, Grapevine, 2015; 89-82-171
Boys 12-13
1) William Martinez, Austin, 2014, 73-76-149
2) Abb Cauthorn, Del Rio, 2014, 76-79-155
3) Blake Stock, Hewitt, 2014, 86-75-161
Girls 8-9
1) Hanna Liu, Austin, 2018; 86-75-161
Thank you to everyone who participated on both tours and who help make the TJGT what it is, the best place to play competitive junior golf.