Twenty-four of the nations brightest minds and best junior golfers were named to the 2011 HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team, the American Junior Golf Association and HP announced Wednesday, Oct. 5. Sponsored by HP since 1988, the team consists of 12 young men and 12 young women who demonstrate the ability to excel both on the golf course and in the classroom.
2011 HP Scholastic Junior All-Americans
BOYS TEAM
Taylor Billings, Kenner, La. (2012)
School: Jesuit High School
GPA: 4.72
Rank in Class: 1 of 280
ACT: 35; SAT: 2230
Best 2011 finish: T7, 2011 AJGA Huntsville Junior
Charles Cai, West Windsor, N.J. (2012)
School: West Windsor Plainsboro High School North
GPA: 4.45
Rank in Class: N/A
ACT: 34; SAT: 2120
Best 2011 finish: T9, Lessing's AJGA Classic
Teddy Corcoran, Rochester, N.Y. (2012) Essay winner
School: Brighton High School
GPA: 3.6
Rank in Class: N/A
SAT: 2020
Best 2011 finish: 10th, Rochester Open Championship
Jacob Fair, Monett, Mo. (2012)
School: Monett High School
GPA: 4.0
Rank in Class: 1 of 145
ACT: 28
Best 2011 finishes: 2nd, Lockton Kansas City Junior
Colin Frizzell, Nacogdoches, Texas (2013)
School: Nacogdoches High School
GPA: 104.40
Rank in Class: 3 of 421
ACT: 27
Best 2011 finish: T10, Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship
Forrest Gamble, Birmingham, Ala. (2012)
School: Vestavia Hills High School
GPA: 4.74
Rank in Class: 2 of 407
ACT: 35; SAT: 2250
Best 2011 finish: T5, AJGA Franklin Junior
Tyler Ostrom, Warsaw, Ind. (2012)
School: Warsaw High School
GPA: 4.33
Rank in Class: 32 of 463
ACT: 32; SAT: 1930
Best 2011 finish: T3, AJGA Stonehenge Junior Open
Patipan Pipatpinyopong, Loves Park, Ill. (2012)
School: Harlem High School
GPA: 4.30
Rank in Class: 7 of 527
ACT: 32
Best 2011 finish: T7, McArthur Towel & Sports Future Legends
Quinlan Prchal, Glenview, Ill. (2012)
School: Glenbrook South
GPA: 3.95
Rank in Class: N/A
ACT: 32
Best 2011 finish: T6, AJGA Nebraska Junior at Quarry Oaks
Harrison Shih, Saddle River, N.J. (2012)
School: Bergen Catholic High School
GPA: 99.9
Rank in Class: N/A
ACT: 28; SAT: 2010
Best 2011 finish: Won AJGA Northern Virginia Junior
Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc, Mich. (2012)
School: Grand Blanc High School
GPA: 4.09
Rank in Class: 18 of 597
ACT: 32
Best 2011 finish: T5, Randy Wise Junior Open
Joe Willis, Lake Forest, Ill. (2012)
School: Lake Forest High School
GPA: 5.38
Rank in Class: N/A
ACT: 35; SAT: 2300
Best 2011 finish: 3rd, McArthur Towel & Sports Future Legends
GIRLS TEAM
Mackenzie Boydston, Keller, Texas (2012)
School: Nolan Catholic High School
GPA: 4.0
Rank in Class: N/A
ACT: 32; SAT: 2010
Best 2011 finish: 4th, Aaron's / Bob Estes Abilene Junior
Stephanie Carlozzi, Naples, Fla. (2012)
School: Barron Collier
GPA: 4.77
Rank in Class: 28 of 426
SAT: 2090
Best 2011 finish: T3, Midwest Junior Players Championship
Shane Crutchfield, St. Petersburg, Fla. (2012)
School: St. Petersburg High School
GPA: 4.81
Rank in Class: 13 of 488
SAT: 2060
Best 2011 finish: T5, AJGA Northern Virginia Junior
Elizabeth Doty, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. (2013)
School: Palos Verdes High School
GPA: 4.8
Rank in Class: N/A
PLAN: 27
Best 2011 finish: 3rd, AJGA Junior at Steelwood presented by AT&T
Sarah Harris, Hermitage, Tenn. (2012)
School: Donelson Christian Academy
GPA: 4.21
Rank in Class: 8 of 73
ACT: 30
Best 2011 finish: T2, Burgett H. Mooney, Jr. Rome Classic
Alexandra Hershberger, Basking Ridge, N.J. (2012)
School: Ridge High School
GPA: 4.24
Rank in Class: N/A
SAT: 2020
Best 2011 finish: 2nd, Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Junior Shoot Out
Laura Kanouse, Boca Raton, Fla. (2012)
School: Boca Raton High School
GPA: 3.93
Rank in Class: 8 of 714
ACT: 33
Best 2011 finish: T5, Killington Junior Golf Championship
Lauren Kim, Los Altos, Calif. (2012)
School: Los Altos High School
GPA: 4.26
Rank in Class: N/A
Best 2011 finish: 2nd, Genesis Junior at White Beeches
Christine Lin, Austin, Texas (2012)
School: Westwood High School
GPA: 5.43
Rank in Class: 24 of 586
ACT: 32
Best 2011 finish: 2nd, AJGA Philadelphia Open Championship
Kimberly Santiago, Lynnwood, Wash. (2012)
School: Edmonds-Woodway High School
GPA: 3.90
Rank in Class: N/A
ACT: 33
Best 2011 finish: T5, Rochester Open Championship
Deanna Song, Granger, Ind. (2012)
School: Penn High School
GPA: 4.23
Rank in Class: 4 of 799
SAT: 2270
Best 2011 finish: 2nd, McArthur Towel & Sports Future Legends
Alexandra Wong, San Francisco, Calif. (2012)
School: St. Ignatius High School
GPA: 4.37
Rank in Class: N/A
SAT: 2070
Best 2011 finish: Won Aspen Junior Golf Classic
ESSAY AWARD WINNER Teddy Corcoran, Rochester, N.Y. (2012)
Golfs not a sport, is it?
What sports do you play? A new friend asks.
Basketball and golf, I proudly respond.
Golfs not a sport, is it? He asks politely.
A smile slowly spreads across my face, and I look down as I hear this.
Golfs not a sport, is it? I think back to April and May, hands numb, muscles stiff, eyes heavy as I practice five-footers. I remember the wind whipping across my face as I followed the flight of my practice shots at 6 in the morning. I remember the distinct feeling of pride I had walking across the street to the practice range while all the other golfers headed in the opposite direction for warmth and cover from the rain.
Golfs not a sport, is it? I remember four-putting the green to miss gaining points and the frustration I experienced during the four-hour car ride home with my parents. We had come all that way for what seemed like nothing. Yet I continued to practice.
Golfs not a sport, is it? I remember how low golf has brought me after failing to qualify for sectionals. The feelings of regret, disappointment, and humiliation were compounded by further failure at other qualifiers, leading me to question my ability. All my hard work was for nothing, yet I continued to practice.
Golfs not a sport, is it? I recall my rebound and the thrill of going under-par in competition. I still feel my heart ready to jump out of my chest when I remember teeing off on a hole guarded by water while trying to remain in contention in a national event. I will never forget the emotions that resulted from a simple two-putt that lead to a top-10 finish: exhaustion, fatigue, pride and accomplishment.
Golfs not a sport, is it? I still remember the respect I earned when I won the mens championship at my golf club. I still almost cry when I picture my mom tearing up with emotion as I hug her. I still smile when I look at the trophy, and fell indebted to my dad for both the time and financial sacrifices he made that helped me to achieve this goal.
Golfs not a sport, is it? I continue to strength train, trying to not only become a better golfer, but a better athlete. I build muscles that are essential to the swing, increase flexibility, and work to the point of exhaustion to improve my game.
Golf has built me up and torn me down. I have thought I found the key only to return to the drawing board the next round. It has embarrassed me to the point where I dont want to talk to my friends and made me so happy I cant help but call them up and tell them about my success. It is without question the most emotional, puzzling, ugly, and beautiful activity in the world.
The smile fades and I look up.
If golfs not a sport, I dont know what is.