Theegala holds on to win Junior All-Star at Robinson Ranch
Cho goes wire-to-wire at Robinson Ranch - Valley Course

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Sahith Theegala of Chino Hills, Calif., birdied the par-5 18th to regain the lead and claim his first AJGA victory during Thursday's final round at the Junior All-Star at Robinson Ranch. In the Girls Division, Sarah Cho of San Diego, fired a final-round, 1-under-par 71 and led wire-to-wire to win at Robinson Ranch's Valley Course.

The Junior All-Star at Robinson Ranch was a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Robinson Ranch Golf Club — Valley Course in Santa Clarita, Calif. The tournament field featured 72 boys and 24 girls from 12 states and eight countries. The Boys Division played the par-72 course at 6,594 yards and the Girls Division played at 5,704 yards.

The Junior All-Star at Robinson Ranch is one of 10 events in the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series. Specifically designed for boys and girls ages 12-15, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series presents opportunities for younger players to develop their skills and earn entry into AJGA Open tournaments.

After beginning the round 5-under-par, Theegala shot a 4-over-par 40 on his front nine to fall out of first place. He went on to fire a bogey-free, 3-under-par 33 on the back nine to claim the championship.

“The first two rounds were nice. Fairways and greens and minimal mistakes,” Theegala said. “I started off poorly today, but I finally started hitting greens and making putts on the back. It feels great.”

Edwin Yi of Beaumont, Calif., fired a final-round 68 to move into second place with a 3-under-par 213. In third place was Gordon Neale of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., who went 72-72-71 for a 1-under-par 215 tournament total. David Kim of Glendale, Calif., and Van Thomas of Las Vegas tied for fourth, firing even-par 216.

Cho, who went 74-73-71 for a 4-over-par 218, fired four birdies during her final round to claim her second AJGA victory of 2011.

“My first win was a Preseason event, but this event is the top players in the 12-15 age group,” Cho said. “At the beginning of the summer, my rounds were in the mid- to high-70s, but I just kept going lower. I definitely have confidence going into next year.”

Grace Park of Cupertino, Calif., finished in second place after firing an even-par 72 during the final round. In third place was Muni Lily He of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., who eagled No. 18 to bring her three-round total to 8-over-par 224.

GARY GILCHRIST GOLF ACADEMY, a full-time signature golf instruction program located in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., began as an Official Partner of the AJGA in 2009. The partnership features an endowment of an Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant and naming rights to the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series for juniors ages 12-15.

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 more than 40 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, 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 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.

For more information about the Junior All-Star at Robinson Ranch, contact AJGA national headquarters at (770) 868-4200 or visit the website at ajga.org.