GREENWOOD TAKES HOME MEDALIST HONORS AT EMERALD FALLS GOLF CLUB
Liu cards 3-over-par 75 to medal in the Girls Division
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Evan Greenwood of Hot Springs, Ark., earned a spot in the Scissortail Junior Championship after carding an even-par 72 during the AJGA Qualifier at Emerald Falls Golf Club. In the Girls Division, Marika Liu of Bradenton, Fla., shot 3-over-par 75 to take home medalist honors.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Scissortail Junior Championship AJGA Qualifier was an 18-hole stroke play event held at Emerald Falls Golf Club. The qualifier field consisted of 65 players, 52 boys and 13 girls, from nine states. The Boys Division was played at 7,004 yards and the Girls Division at 6,094 yards.
Greenwood's rough start did not hinder his ability to hold a strong finish. Carding a 3-over-par 39 for the back nine, he was able to turn his play around with the help of his putter.
“My putting got me through today,” Greenwood said. “I had no three putts which was the best part for me. I also sank a couple 20-footers for birdies.”
Joining Greenwood in the Scissortail Junior Championship Boys Division field are 13 fellow qualifiers: Sean Romero of Texarkana, Ark., and Seiji Liu of Bradenton, Fla., at 73, Raine Copeland of Carrollton, Texas, Tyler Holmes of Richardson, Texas, and Blake Wilson of League City, Texas, at 74, Ted Monhollon of Tulsa, Okla., at 75, Adam Sterling of Springfield, Mo., and Eric Mode of Derby, Kan., at 77, Tyler Norton of Texarkana, Texas, and A.J. Gebert of Wichita, Kan., at 78, Eric Coatney of Tulsa, Okla., and Jordan Perceful of Muskogee, Okla., at 79, and Hale Furey of Newport Beach, Calif., at 80.
Zach Tucker of Oklahoma City, Luke Kwon of Carrollton, Texas, Myles Miller of Wellington, Kan., Eli Mattioli of Fayetteville, Ark., and Jeffery Lee of Overland Park, Kan., fell within the cut line, but chose to take an AJGA Tournament Exemption in lieu of playing in the event.
In the Girls Division, Liu's steady play is what gave her the medal.
“I hit everything well today,” Liu said. “My driver and irons were good to me.”
Taking home medalist honor for the third time this summer, Liu claims this is the greatest overall.
“I'm really excited to be playing,” she said. “This tournament is really special to me. Thursday is my birthday so I am hoping to get the best gift, a win.”
Also qualifying in the Girls Division were, Samantha Stewart of Peoria, Ariz., at 79, Julie Wortham of Altus, Okla., at 81, and Taylor Howard of Ada, Okla., at 84.
Qualifying, but opting to take a Tournament Exemption were, Rowena Fadullon of Frisco, Texas, and Olivia Lavy of Fayetteville, Ark.
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 an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 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 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. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.
The opening round of the Scissortail Junior Championship will be Tuesday, August 12, with tee times running off the No. 1 tee from 7 a.m. — 12:20 p.m. at Emerald Falls Golf Club. For more information about the Scissortail Junior Championship, please contact Tournament Headquarters at 918-266-2600 and ask for the AJGA.
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