Rising Up Through the Storm
On Jan. 16-17, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour traveled to beautiful Bluffton, S.C. to host the Bluffton Junior Shootout. Overall, the Old South Golf Links was in good shape, although playing conditions were wet, and it made for a challenging and long two days of golf. On Saturday, there was plenty of sunshine, which made for a lovely first round. The beautiful weather from Saturday unfortunately did not carry over, as a two-hour delay interrupted play on Sunday. The rain, mixed with strong winds. made the holes on day two a little more demanding. The winners in all five-age divisions received an automatic bid to the National Championship on Dec. 3-4 and the Mid Season Invitational on June 11-13. The weekend was unbelievable all around and the top-ten finishers also received points towards end year honors. This includes all HJGT teams and the Hurricane Cup.
In the Boys 16-18 division, Arjun Puri, from New Delhi, India, took home the first-place trophy as he showcased his talent on day two of the tournament. Puri, started the tournament by turning in a Saturday score of 73, followed by a Sunday score of 70 (143). Through the first and second round, he made the turn at even par. Puri found success on the par fives, recording four of his five birdies on such holes. Finishing in a tie for second place behind Puri was Tae Hyeong Jang from Seoul, South Korea. Jang’s second-round push came on Sunday. Jang shaved nine strokes off of his first-round 78 to close with an impressive 67 for a total of 145. Also tied for second was Ethan Willis from Mount Pleasant, S.C. He posted scores of 75 and 70 (145). Finishing in third place was Anita Uwadia from Hilton Head Island, S.C. Uwadia posted scores of 72 and 76 (148).
In the Boys 14-15 age division, Jackson Toole from Vidalia, Ga., finished the tournament in the top spot. Toole submitted two strong rounds of 73 for a 146 total. Toole played consistent, smart golf throughout the tournament to claim victory. He put together a phenomenal back nine during round one with four birdies. All together, Toole totaled six birdies. Finishing right behind him in second place was Bumin Choi from Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Choi had a strong round two in posting a score of 75. He had an impressive seven birdies throughout the tournament. Choi finished with a total score of 152. In third was Aidan McCloskey from Northboro, Mass. He posted scores of 81 and 76 (157).
In the Boys 11-13 division, Jonathan Gritz from Hilton Head Island, S.C., took home the first-place trophy after posting 75 in both rounds. The course was challenging for these youngsters, but that did not faze Gritz. He kept his composure and was very consistent throughout. Gritz totaled four birdies. Behind Gritz in second place, was Harry Jones from Augusta, Ga. His strong play in round two helped him claim second place. In third place was Max Green from Hilton Head, S.C. He posted a 79 and 81 (160).
Claiming first place in the Girls 14-18 division was Yeon Ju Jang. Jang pieced together a strong second round score of 73, which led to victory. She played very steady golf with fifteen pars and one birdie during the round. Her 73 came on the heels of a first-round 79 that featured two pars. Her consistency proved to be key in winning in tough circumstances. We had a three-way tie for second place between See Hee Oh from Seoul, South Korea, Meredith Wipper from Hilton Head Island, S.C., and Amelia Root from Jacksonville, Fla. Oh posted scores of 75 and 79 for a total of 154, which featured four total birdies. Wipper put together rounds of 76 and 78. Root posted a 77 in both rounds. In third place was Carol Pyon from Macon, Ga. Pyon had a strong second round, posting a 76. She had four birdies in total.
In the Girls 13 and under division, Mi Ree Jung from Seoul, South Korea took home the first-place trophy. She posted a total score of 148, scoring a 69 in round one and a 79 in round two. Jung’s great play in round one really helped her hold on to first place at tournament’s end. During round one, Jung had an eagle on the third hole, which was a par 5, and four birdies. Yoon Kyung Kim from Seoul, South Korea, was our second-place finisher. Kim pulled some well-timed, demanding shots that helped her post a second round score of 74. She was in third place entering round two but her strong play helped her ascend the leaderboard. Finishing in third place was In Ah Jeong from Seoul, South Korea. Jeong scored a 77 on day one and an 83 on day two for a 160 total.
Weather:
Saturday: Mid 60’s, clear, Wind 5-10 MPH
Sunday: Low 50’s, rainy, Wind 20-25 MPH
Tournament Yardages:
Boys 16-18: 6694
Boys 14-15: 6694
Boys 11-13: 5875
Girls 14-18: 5875
Girls 13 and Under: 5018
About us: The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) was founded in 2007 with the intention of providing junior golfers between the ages of 10-18 an opportunity to play exceptional courses in a competitive environment. The tour’s vision is to provide superb hospitality and make every event a memorable one. With play open to both males and females, nearly every junior golfer is eligible to participate on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Currently the HJGT is the largest junior golf tour in the United States hosting more 2-day nationally ranked events than another other tour. The HJGT has been able to achieve this goal by running the most professional events and providing an exceptional value to all of our players and families over the last 8 years. There are several factors that set us apart from the competition which we call #TheHurricaneDifference. Based out of Jacksonville, FL, the HJGT administers events all across the country. In 2016 the HJGT will expand to Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Washington as well as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Mississippi, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Juniors will compete in 1 of 6 divisions which are: Boys 16-18, Boys 14-15, Boys 11-13, Boys U10, Girls 14-18, and Girls U13. Memberships for the 2016 season start at $159 and tournament fees range from $189-$229 for 36 hole events. The HJGT season is based on a calendar year and players earn points throughout the season towards year-end honors beginning January 1. For more information regarding the HJGT, please visit our website at www.hjgt.org, call the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour headquarters at (904) 379-2697, or email info@hjgt.org.