GOULDING HOLDS ON TO CLAIM MEDALIST HONORS AT DIABLO GRANDE
Tracy, Calif., native finishes strong to earn one-shot victory
DIABLO GRANDE, Calif. — The heavy rain and howling wind that plagued Diablo Grande Saturday was virtually a non-factor Sunday as Logan Goulding of Tracy, Calif., held on for a one-shot victory after carding a 4-over-par 76 on the Ranch Course.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Ashworth Junior at Diablo Grande was played at Diablo Grande — Ranch Course. The tournament featured 81 boys, ages 12-18, from 10 states. Fifty-four players from the state of California were entered in the tournament field, as well as five juniors from Canada.
Goulding started his round on a sour note with a three-putt bogey on the par-4 first hole, but recovered nicely on the very next hole with a birdie. The 17-year-old would birdie one more hole on the front nine, No. 5, to finish with a 1-over-par 37.
Goulding ran into some difficulties on the back nine with four consecutive bogeys on Nos. 11 through 14. However, his momentum shifted with one swing of the club
“My drive on No. 15 was absolutely perfect,” Goulding said. “That really helped me turn it around.”
Goulding would make par on the final four holes to finish with a 5-over-par 149 for the tournament, edging Ryan Thomas of Alameda, Calif., who fired a 1-over-par 73 in Sunday's final round.
“It feels good to get a victory at an AJGA event,” Goulding said. “Hopefully, I'll get to play in some more tournaments and get even more exposure.”
Connor Driscoll of Encinitas, Calif., finished in third place, three shots behind Goulding with a 8-over-par 152 tournament total. California natives Tyler Morris, also of Encinitas, Greg Palm of Orinda, and Ryan Hallisey of Granite Bay, finished in a tie for fourth place with matching tournament totals of 153.
The Ashworth Junior Series was created specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series event in the current calendar year and/or the previous calendar year. Juniors ages 12-18 are eligible for entry. For those who are eligible, participation is limited to one Preseason event and one Postseason event per calendar year as long as they have not yet participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series event.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest association of its kind, the AJGA has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which enters its third decade of support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Beth Bauer.
For more information on the Ashworth Junior at Diablo Grande, please contact National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200, or visit ajga.org. |
