Official Junior Newsletter of the Western New York Section, PGA
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
2017 WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour WNYPGA Junior Tour Members, Early registration has been very successful and there is still plenty of room for growth due to the new additions to our schedule and the generosity of our WNYPGA Members. I can assure you that our Junior Golf Committee has been working hard all winter to enhance your “WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour Experience”. I am looking forward to seeing you all this spring. Please note: For any juniors on a wait list currently, please be patient we are adjusting the division opportunities and reaching out to facilities to try to gain more tee time slots. There are No Guarantees that you will come off the wait list and be placed in an event. If you are still on a wait list in mid April you may want to enter another event. Here’s to an Early Spring, Bob
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New sites this season include Churchville G.C., Shelridge C.C., Triple Creek G.C., Bartlett C.C., Tan Tara G.C., and Durand Eastman G.C. Scoring at all events will be entered hole by hole and our score sheets are being enhanced by Blue Golf TV (digital scoreboards). We now have three 36Hole Junior Events that are recognized by the American Junior Golf Association and Junior Golf Scoreboard - the WNYPGA Section Junior Championship, Niagara Falls Invitational, and the WNYPGA Junior Tour Championship.
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
WNYPGA Junior Golf History Welcome Members and Parents to the 2017 Western New York PGA Junior Golf Tour. In 1999 The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour was formed to provide an opportunity and atmosphere for juniors to enjoy the camaraderie, friendship, and sportsmanship of competitive golf at a series of premier venues throughout the Western New York Section of the PGA of America. Since the conception of The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour it has grown from 10 annual events to the current schedule of 36 events. Annually the membership is between 200 – 250 junior golfers that play approximately 2,000 rounds of competitive golf. Since 1999 it has had over 4,000 members and over 20,000 rounds! It is recognized by the American Junior Golf Association and Junior Golf Scoreboard the leading Junior Golf organizations in the country. The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour is the leader; most recognized and respected Junior Golf Competition in Western New York and we will continue to improve “The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour Experience”. The WNYPGA Section is Most Proud of the fact that we have touched the lives of so many young ladies and gentlemen over the past 18 years. Through the Game of Golf we have instilled the life skills of honesty, integrity, competitiveness and camaraderie.
We are proud to boast a list of New York State Men’s and Women’s Champions that graduated from the WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour:
In 2016 one of our past WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour Member’s Dominic Bozelli won a Web.com event and gained full exemption to the 2017 PGA Tour! The WNYPGA is committed to Growing the Game of Golf and takes pride in supplying numerous vehicles throughout the section for this cause.
2016 Jr Tour Champions
2016 Players of the Year
Boys 16-18 Division Cary Ignaczak Girls 16-18 Division Lauren Kase
Boys 16-18 Division Nolan Ditcher Girls 16-18 Division Lauren Kase
Boys 13-15 Division Jason Lohwater Girls 13-15 Division Emily Kase
Boys 13-15 Division Jason Lohwater, Matt Jackson Girls 13-15 Division Melanie Green
Boys 9 Hole Division Charlie Fischer Girls 9 Hole Division Angeline Perillo
Boys 9 Hole Division Charlie Fischer Girls 9 Hole Division Tori Leach
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
2017 Western New York PGA Junior Golf Tour Policies and Procedures alty, or disqualification. Possession of alcohol, drugs or tobacco products, gambling, or display of vulgar or abusive behavior will result in immediate disqualification. Multiple violations will result in dismissal from the WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour without refund. Please understand that a player is responsible for the actions and behavior of his /her spectators.
It is the responsibility of the player to check-in and pick up their scorecard and rules sheet at least 20 minutes ahead of their tee time. The player must report to the starter at the tee a minimum of 5 minutes prior to their starting time. All players will score for a fellow competitor and report to the scoring area immediately following play. The scorecards will be reviewed by the players and if there are any discrepan- The USGA Rules of Golf and the local rules of each facies they will be resolved before the players sign their cility shall be observed. If you are suspected of cheating, measures will be taken to monitor your score durcards and leave the scoring area. ing future junior events. If a player suspects another of cheating or of violating a rule of golf, the player Our tour will strictly enforce pace of play guidelines as should seek a rules official as soon as possible to handle the situation. The WNYPGA Junior Golf Program posted on the rules sheet at each event. We expect trusts that its members will act on the ethical responthat our players are capable of playing an 18-hole sibility of notifying a rules official of any problems beround of golf in 4 hours or less. When a group is out fore spreading rumors of alleged violations. Questions of position and behind their allotted pace of play (as are more easily handled on site when all players are defined on our rules sheet), the individuals in the group will be timed until the group is back in position present than after the event has concluded and playand on schedule. This is not meant to punish the jun- ers have gone home. Cheating will result in immediate ior player but to make sure that the event is enjoyable disqualification from the Junior Golf Program with no refund. for all.
Any conduct that may be detrimental to the WNYPGA Junior Tour will not be tolerated, including swearing, club abuse, and damage to the golf course or another player’s belongings. The first such instance of any of these actions may result in a warning, two stroke pen-
If a player must leave a tournament site because of illness, injury, or a family emergency, a tournament official must be notified. A player failing to turn in a scorecard for any other reason will not be eligible to participate in their next scheduled event, with no refund.
For all of the 2017 WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour Policies and Procedures please refer to the 2017 WNYPGA Junior Tour Information Packet visit westernnewyork.pga.com/jrgolf
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS Proper dress is required at all times at the host facility, this includes driving range, practice green or the clubhouse. Questionable attire will be reviewed by the WNY PGA Staff. Should a host facility have a stricter dress code, its policy will take precedence. Players in violation will not be allowed to tee off. Cargo shorts or pants are NOT allowed on the Tour. Pants, Capri pants and Bermuda length shorts are acceptable. Cargo shorts definition: any shorts or pants that have more pockets than the two front and two back pockets. Remember we are a guest at each course that has been kind enough to allow us to play that day. The following is the approved dress code for WNYPGA Junior tournaments: Hats/visors must be worn brim forward Men’s collared golf shirts and mock-top golf shirts with sleeves are approved. Women’s golf shirts without a collar must have sleeves. Women’s golf shirts without sleeves must have a collar. Women’s fashion shirts must not rise above the belt line at any time during the golf swing. ALL players must keep shirts tucked in regardless of shirt style. Women’s shorts must have a minimum 6” inseam. Men’s shorts cannot extend past the knee. All players must wear spikeless golf shoes or sneakers.
Will be emailed to the field and available on our website (www.westernnewyork.pga.com) 72 Hours in advance.
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
Junior PHOTOS
Emily Kase, Denielle Newman
Angeline Perillo, Amy Scherrer, Tori Leach
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Lauren Kase, Samantha Gaffney
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
Junior PHOTOS
Matt Jackson, Ian Wagner, Jason Lohwater
Nolan Ditcher, Mike Dugan, Cary Ignazcak
Jeremy Edmunds, Dawson Miller, Charlie Fischer, Joshua Bradley, Alex Schickling
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS 2016 Western New York PGA Junior Golf Tour Final Point Standings
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
Pre-Game Warm-Up
In order to play your best in competition it is essential that you practice correctly at the tournament site prior to starting your round. Here are a few simple tips to help you with your preparation.
Don’t work on swing changes (major mechanical changes should be done in monitored practice sessions by a PGA or LPGA Professional Coach). Divide your range session and your basket of balls into 3 phases – a warm up phase, a solid practice phase and then a cool down phase. So for 50 balls, that might be 10 balls to warm up, 30 balls to practice and 10 balls to cools down. For the warm up phase, begin with some warm up exercises and stretches and then hit maybe 5-10 balls. Those initial shots should be easy chips or pitches (not full swings) with a wedge. Don’t just chip aimlessly – pick out a target, check your alignment and make a couple of practice swings before each shot, as you would on the course. During the main practice phase, work through your bag starting with a high-lofted club like an 8 or 9 iron, progressing up to the driver and then back down again. You don’t have to hit every club in the bag but do hit a range of clubs rather than just 1 or 2. For example, you might hit 3-5 shots with a 9 iron, 6 iron, 3 iron, 3-wood, driver, back up to a 5 iron and then an 8 iron. This might look as though you won’t be able to groove a rhythm with any one club but that’s more realistic to the game of golf.
Rarely do you hit even 2 consecutive shots with the same club out on the golf course. Finish your range session with a cool down by hitting 5-10 pitch/chip shots. As with the warm up, these should be easy, half swings. Be sure to keep your focus though and work on hitting a specific target for each shot.
Start with some short putts 5 to 6 feet and use a couple of alignment sticks to make sure you are aimed and set up properly on the line of the putt Next take 3 balls and hit some lag putts but don’t putt to a cup try to lag to the fringe. This will help you to focus on just distance and feel. Finally take one ball and go to different cups on the green and actually putt out.
Elementary but a key! Make sure that you take enough time to use the facilities, fill your water bottle, grab a snack, check your bag for balls and tees etc.. Arrive at the tee in time to introduce yourself to your fellow competitors and exchange scorecards. You don’t want to rush or feel rushed as this could affect your mood and tempo all round. Picture that first tee shot struck perfectly and going exactly where you want it. There is NO Room for negative thoughts.
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
2017 WNYPGA Junior Golf Schedule
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Invitations will be awarded to the following players: based on Player of the Year Points List after the conclusion of the Bartlett CC Junior Tour Event on June 25th, 2017. 2016 Overall Champions will be invited if they are still eligible (under the age of 18 as of July 10, 2017). Top 20 Boys 16-18, Top 20 Boys 13-15, Top 6 Girls 16-18, Top 6 Girls 13-15
Invitations will be awarded to the following players: based on Player of the Year Points List after the conclusion of the Genesee Valley Junior Tour Event on August 1, 2017. Top 12 Boys 16-18, Top 12 Boys 13-15, Top 6 Boys 10-12, Top 6 Girls 16-18, Top 6 Girls 1315, Top 6 Girls 10-12 visit westernnewyork.pga.com/jrgolf
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WNYPGA JUNIOR NEWS
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