Junior Round-up
Angela Park of Torrance, Calif., finished 2005 with a bang, winning the Junior Orange Bowl December 30 by seven strokes. With rounds of 71-70-68-70 – 279, Park did not have to worry about much competition from the field. Three of the top five finishers are current AJGA members. Finishing third was Isabelle Lendl of Bradenton, Fla., followed closely by Michelle Grilli of Lutherville, Md., in fourth. Finishing in a tie for fifth was Vicky Hurst of Melbourne, Fla.
In the Boys Division, Rolex Junior Player of the Year Peter Uihlein of Bradenton, Fla., finished one stroke off the lead in a tie for second. Tied for fourth and rounding out the AJGA members in the top five were Mu Hu of Shen Zhen, China, and Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, Calif.
The Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship showcased the talents of current and past AJGA girls. Nine of the top-10 players have had successful careers with the AJGA. Scottsdale, Ariz., natives Amanda Blumenherst, Taylore Karleand Esther Choe are joined by Ryann O’Toole of San Clemente, Calif., Sydney Burlison of Salinas, Calif., Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif., Tiffany Joh of San Diego, Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, Hawaii and Alexandrea Schulte of Broken Arrow, Okla., on the list of those finishing in the top 10.
College Round-up
AJGA alumna Kalen Anderson was recently named assistant golf coach at Duke University. After graduating from the school in 2001, the Edina, Minn., native went on to play on the Futures Golf Tour. In 1996, Anderson was named an AJGA Scholastic All-American.
Professional Round-up
Morgan Pressel of Boca Raton, Fla., was given full playing status by the LPGA Tour in December. After a strong showing in LPGA Qualifying School and with her impressive resume, Pressel petitioned LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens in order to receive full tour benefits. The 17-year-old would not be eligible to play on the LPGA Tour until her 18th birthday without a special exemption. Pressel became only the second player in AJGA history to earn the "AJGA-slam" by winning all the Invitationals in which she was eligible to play.