The TJGT Traditions Invitational was played December 10th-11th 2011 at the Traditions at Texas A&M golf club in Bryan, Texas. Cold and sunny weather greeted the 112 players from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Louisiana, and Virginia as they fought it out over 36-holes in this Golfweek-ranked event.
Coaches from Texas A&M, OU, TCU, Texas Tech, SFA, St. Edwards, Rice, Texas Southern, and McNeese State, Hill College, McLennan CC, Houston, Houston Baptist and several others came out to watch the players navigate a collegiate venue with the Boys 12-18 playing 6,955 yards and the Girls 12-18 5,920 yards. Traditions is the home of the 2009 NCAA Men’s National Champions and was host site of the 2011 NCAA Women’s National Championship.
The players who participated in the event were treated to a plethora of merchandise Aggie colors at the registration tables as Maroon tee-shirts, grey beanies, and maroon Oakley “under armor” shirts were given to each participant.
Parent appreciation was also on hand as Mr. Bird and Mrs. Coleman were each the lucky winners of brand new Oakley Gas Can sunglasses. Parents and spectators should look forward to more of these appreciation gifts as the partnership between Oakley and the TJGT continues to grow.
On Friday night players and parents were treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art Texas A&M Men’s and Women’s golf team practice facility followed by a very informative and highly educational Q&A with the Aggie coaching staff including head coaches JT Higgins and Trelle McCombs. If you want to learn how to navigate the road to college golf then who better to give directions than people that have been there, done that.
On the golf course, even with the best weather we’ve had in the history of the tournament, The Traditions course still proved to be difficult for the players. The golf course just puts a premium on fairways and greens. Too often, too high a price needs to be paid for missing a fairway or missing a green in the wrong spot. Players who manage their tee shots, and have a tidy short game, usually fair well on most courses, but at Traditions, they seem to hold their own especially well as the rest of the field falls down the leaderboard.
Christian De la Cruz (148) was one of those players this week who managed to play steady mistake free golf. His 5-shot victory was clearly the class of the men’s field, while 11 golfers piled up between 153 and 155.
The Sims family hit the road back to Austin with a lot of smiles. Sierra Sims held off Courtney Dow by one stroke to win the girls division while older sister Mariana claimed 3rd in the girls division.
Thanks to all the Parents and Players for their efforts and participation. If we don’t see you at the Barton Creek Christmas event, we all hope you have a Merry Christmas and safe New Year!
Top Finishers:
Boys 12-18
Player Hometown Grad Year Score AJGA Stars
1st Christian De la Cruz San Antonio, TX 2014 72-76-148 12
2nd Kyle Francis San Antonio, TX 2013 77-76-153 8
3rd Jonathan Vasquez Brian, TX 2014 75-78-153 8
4th Valentin Almendarez San Antonio, TX 2013 80-74-154 8
5th Taylor MacKay Houston, TX 2013 78-76-154 8
T-6th Cody Hebert Katy, TX 2012 76-79-155 4
T-6th Nick Heinen Edmond, OK 2014 78-77-155 4
T-6th Benjamin Baxter Flower Mound, TX 2014 79-76-155 4
T-6th Carter Patterson The Woodlands, TX 2015 79-76-155 4
T-6th Trevor Vega Victoria, TX 2012 81-74-155 4
T-6th Major Monzingo Trophy Club, TX 2012 83-72-155 4
T-6th Mario Carmona Houston, TX 2013 83-72-155 4
Girls 12-18
Player Hometown Grad Year Score AJGA Stars
1st Sierra Sims Dallas, Tx 2013 77-73-150 12
2nd Courtney Dow Frisco, Tx 2016 77-74-151 8
3rd Mariana Sims Dallas, Tx 2012 80-74-154 8
4th Abby Newton Katy, Tx 2012 81-74-155 4
T-5th Eji Kwon Dallas, Tx 2013 78-79-157 4
T-5th Kelly McGovern The Woodlands, Tx 2013 80-77-157 4
Playoff details: Valentin Almendarez eagles the first playoff hole from 135 yards over Taylor MacKay to take 4th place, both shot 154 for the tournament. Kyle Francis beat Jonathan Vasquez with a par on the third playoff hole to take 2nd place, both shot 153 for the tournament.
