The Texas Junior Golf Tour kicked off its 2011-2012 season by hosting the Bear Country Girls Championship on September 10-11, 2011 at Cottonwood Creek Golf Club in Waco. Cottonwood Creek is home of the nationally famous Starburst Junior Championship held annually each June and is also the host site for the Region II-5A tournament. Twenty-eight girls from Texas and Mexico competed in the event with all girls playing from the red tees at a distance of 5,716 yards.
On day one, players were greeted at check in with both registration gifts and tee gifts. For their registration gift, each player was given a cinch back pack, a package of 5 TJGT wrist bands (similar to the Lance Armstrong ‘Livestrong’ bracelet), a TJGT lanyard, a golf towel, and a TJGT bag tag. For the tee gifts, each player was given a TJGT tee shirt and a dozen Titlesist PROV1 or PROV1X golf balls. Play on day one started with tee times at ten o’clock. Players were met with cool, dry weather for the first round. Maggie Byers from San Antonio got off to a fast start on day one shooting an opening round 73. She recorded an amazing 4 birdies on her round. Staying close to Byers was Maria Fassi from Pachuca, Mexico. Fassi fired an opeing round 75 to stay within two shots of Byers. Sierra Sims from Austin and Binny Lee from Arlington each opened with a 76 to keep themselves in contention. Meaghan Coleman of the Woodlands and Lizeth Reyes of Laredo each fired opening round 79’s to stay within striking distance.
At the conclusion of round one, the players were invited to attend a banquet at the Waco Convention Center where Lanny Basham was the guest speaker. Mr. Basham is the founder of Mental Management Systems and works with several touring professionals. At the banquet, each player was treated to a buffet that was catered by world famous George’s of Waco (George’s is the home of the crazy wings – highly recommended). Prior to the banquet, Vice President and Director of Operations Coach Lynn Monzingo did a 45 minute Q&A session about the College Bound Membership program. The passion and purpose of the TJGT is to educate both parents and players about the process of becoming a collegiate golfer. The TJGT has had an 85% success rate the past two years in getting kids college scholarships. Both the CBM presentation and the banquet were well attended. At the conclusion of the banquet, the players were given another present from the TJGT – an Oakley backpack and an Oakley cap. The TJGT has partnered with Oakley to be able to provide some nice gifts at upcoming tournaments for players and parents.
Day two started earlier for the players with an eight o’clock shotgun start. The players were greeted with the same type of weather conditions as day one. Round one leader Maggie Byers played a stellar round two but unfortunately only recorded two birdies in round two to post a 74. Her 147 was a great score and would win most events; however, Maria Fassi had something to say about that. Fassi recorded an incredible six birdies in round two, including getting off to a fast start by making birdie on her first two holes. Fassi shot two under on her front nine and then shot one under on her back nine to finish at three under 69 for round two and even par 144 for the tournament. For her efforts, Fassi received 8 performance stars from the AJGA, while Byers received 4 performance stars. Finishing in third place was Sierra Sims of Austin. Sims fired an impressive round of even par 72 in round two to finish at 148 for the event. Sims, like Fassi, got off to a quick by making birdie on her first hole of the day. She finished with four birdies for the round. Binny Lee of Arlington also played great in round two shooting a second round 73 to finish one stroke back of Sims. Dana Clary had a great bounce back round with 73 in round two as well. Several players had great rounds in round two with the likes of Meaghan Coleman, Julia Bazaldua, and Alexandria Celli all posting numbers in the mid to low 70’s.
The Bear Country Girls Championship was a great start to the 2011-2012 season. The tour will be back in action next weekend at Trophy Club with the Future Collegiate Girls Championship. There are still plenty of spots available as this is a girls only event. This event has had tremendous success in the past and will be a great event. We look forward to seeing you there.
Played in conjunction with the Girls event and Mini-Tour event, the TJGT Bear Country Boys Championship was played in Waco, Texas at the Twin Rivers GC. All Boys 12-18 6,986 yards in this 36-hole, Golfweek-ranked event. Beautiful weather greeted the 83 players from Texas, Louisiana, Mexico as they battled it out in front of college coaches from Baylor, SMU, and McLennan CC.
Event recap: Day 1 - The TJGT 2011-2012 season started off with temperatures that we have been waiting for all summer. The first ball was put in the air at 8am with temperatures of 59 degrees. Even though the day started of cool, by the end of the day several players were playing red hot! Sitting in the drivers seat leading the tournament from Austin, Texas was Klein Klotz.
Day 2- Another great September day in Waco with another round of low scores. Three players came out on fire. Tyler Ware came to play today finishing his round with a 2-under 70, however John Sams and Klein Klotz did one better with scores of 69. Klotz’s 69 was able to keep him in the lead and come away from Twin Rivers with a 1st place finish with a 2-day total of 139.
John Sams from Caushatt, LA came in 2nd with a 2 day total of 141 and Carter Caldwell placed 3rd with his two-day total of 145.
1st Klein Klotz Austin Tx 2013 70-69-139 8- performance Stars
2nd John Sams Caushatta LA 2013 72-69-141 4-performance Stars
3rd Carter Caldwell Mart TX 2012 73-72-145 4-performance Stars
T-4th Andrew Paysse Temple TX 2014 75-71-146 1-performance Stars
T-4th Tyler Ware Georgtown TX 2014 76-70-146 1-performance Stars
6th Aaron Guanlao Haslet TX 2014 75-72-147 1-performance Stars
T-7th Spencer Reed Ft Worth TX 2014 76-72-148 1-pesformance stars
T-7th Kyle Kennedy Dallas TX 2013 74-74-148 1-performance star
T-7th Travis Benson Granbury TX 2013 74-74-148 1-performance
10th Garrett Fey Dallas TX 2012 76-73-149 1-performance
Playoff details:
Andrew Paysse beat Tyler Ware on the 1st playoff hole with a par
