The TJGT Elite Mini Tour Q School Mini was played at Blackhorse Golf Club on the South Course January 23-24, 2010.
Boys 12-13 played 5,473 yards; the Girls 10-11 played 5,473 yards; and all Boys & Girls 8-9 played 3,850 yards in this 36-hole, nationally-ranked event.
University of Houston head golf coach Jonathan Dismuke and Houston Baptist University head golf coach Dave Schuester were in attendance scouting the players.
The Texas Junior Golf Tour’s Elite Mini Tour division held its final event of the 2009-2010 season at the famed Blackhorse Golf Club in Cypress. Players were treated to 36 holes on the famous South course. Players were also treated to spring-like conditions in January, with temperatures in the 60’s each day. The first day featured a calm golf course with very little sun or wind. The second day the South course showed it’s teeth with lots of sunshine and gusting winds. In the boys 12-13 division, we had a two-man battle for the title. Patrick Rhodes took the opening round lead with 84, but Zachary Tracy was only two-stroke back after the first 18.
On day 2, Zachary got off to a quick start with a birdie on one, and by the time they made the turn Zachary had taken a one-stroke lead. Patrick made up that one stroke and the two players ended up tied after 36 holes. The two then went back to hole 18 to decide the champion. Zachary ended the sudden death playoff quickly with a birdie on the par 5 18th that was playing at 418 yards.
The hole was playing downwind and Zachary pulled off a great second shot to get home in two, and then two-putted for the victory. Both of these young guys did a great job in the windy conditions. In the boys 8-9 division, Jason Marsh and Maxwell Martinez each played some great golf. Jason birdied his final hole each day, while Maxwell made a great birdie on his first hole of the day on Sunday. In the end, Jason claims the crown by three strokes over Maxwell. In the girls 8-9 division, Hanna Liu dominated…again. Hanna recorded three birdies on her way to an opening round 88. Sunday she got off to a great start, then struggled on the back nine, but righted the ship on her final three holes to record a 92 and a 180 two day total. Maybe the story of the tournament was Mia Ayer.
Mia played the exact same yardage as the 12-13 year old boys and had two great rounds of 93-87 for a 180 two-day total. The girls on the ‘Big Tour’ need to keep an eye out for this young lady!
The Elite Mini Tour staff would like to thank each and every participant, parent, and spectator. The pace of play was excellent, the venue was great, and for January we had great weather. If you have not signed up for the Tour Championship yet at Horseshoe Bay in February, we still have slots available. The tour championship will be incredible with all of the gifts, the year-end banquet, the resort atmosphere, and of course great golf. We look forward to seeing you there! Please check the website in the upcoming days for the schedule of events.
Boys 12-13:
1st Place: *Zachary Tracy; Houston; 2015; 86-85-171
1st Place: Patrick Rhodes; Cypress; 2016; 84-87-171
Girls 10-11
1st Place: Mia Ayer; Nacogdoches; 2016; 93-87-180
Boys 8-9
1st Place: Jason Marsh; Cypress; 2018; 96-106-202
2nd Place: Maxwell Martinez; Houston, 2020; 107-98-205
Girls 8-9
1st Place: Hanna Liu, Austin, TX; 2019; 88-92-180
*Zachary Tracy defeats Patrick Rhodes in a sudden death playoff with a birdie on the first hole.
