Scott Earns First AJGA Victory at the Nemacolin Junior Classic
Vongphoumy rallies to win Girls Division by five strokes at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort - Mystic Rock Course

FARMINGTON, Pa. — Nicholas Scott of Union, Ohio, entered the final round six strokes behind the Boys Division leader, but fired a low final round 1-under-par 71 to clench his first American Junior Golf Association victory. Juliet Vongphoumy of Providence, R.I., also came from behind to claim her first AJGA win in the Girls Division after she shot a 1-under-par 71.

The Nemacolin Junior Classic was a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort — Mystic Rock Course in Farmington, Pa. The 142-player tournament field featured 108 boys and 34 girls, ages 12-18, from 19 states, Thailand, Indonesia, United Kingdom and Canada. Friday's final round was cut to feature 49 boys and 18 girls. The Boys Division was playing the par-72 course at 6,979 yards while the Girls Division played at 6,054 yards.

Coming into the Nemacolin Junior Classic, Scott said he had a good feeling about his chances to earn a victory.

“I've been playing really well lately,” Scott said. “My dad and I were talking and saying how this could be my week.”

Carrying that confidence with him, Scott started his final round strong with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 1 and 2, and finished the round with three birdies to shoot a 2-over-par 218. Playing in his third year with the AJGA, Scott said he was excited to earn his first win.

“It feels great,” Scott said. “I just figured I would go out and try to post something low and see what happens.”

Utilizing his strong shot-making ability and a solid putting game, Scott hit 13 fairways on his way to hoisting his first trophy.

In a five-way tie for second place were Craig Hornberger of Ephrata, Pa., Davis Womble of High Point, N.C., Andrew Lister of Haymarket, Va., James Yoon of Bradenton, Fla., and Todd McDaniel of Manchester, Ky., who all finished with 3-over-par 219.

Vongphoumy, who had been playing solid golf all week and came into the final round five strokes back of the Girls Division leader, was able to battle back to finish with her first-ever AJGA win. Fighting off nerves and her strong competitors, Vongphoumy said the win was a special feeling.

“It feels terrific,” Vongphoumy said. “I'm jumping up and down inside. It was really nerve-racking coming into that last hole. I could hear my heart beating in my ear.”

Maintaining her cool on the surface, Vongphoumy closed a five-stroke gap, carding four birdies on her round to help her finish at 5-over-par 221.

“I played a lot better than the first two days,” Vongphoumy said. “I put a lot of shots close and my putting came through for me.”

Finishing in second place was Thanya Pattamakijsakul of Nonthaburi, Thailand, with a 10-over-par 226. In third was Lindsey Murray of Tipp City, Ohio, after shooting 12-over-par 228.

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 AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

For more information about the Nemacolin Junior Classic please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.