Southern California Junior Challenge at Morongo Golf Club
March 12-13, 2016
On Thursday, March 10, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour traveled to Beaumont, Calif., to host the Southern California Junior Challenge at Morongo Golf Club. With great weather in the forecast, the kids were ready to make their mark. Saturday’s weather was cloudy with a breeze, which made for a great way to start out the tournament. The weather stayed the same on Sunday, making it beautiful for some golf. On both days, the field of players received near ideal conditions, minus some windy spurts during the day, which led to great scoring. The HJGT would like to thank the Morongo Golf Club staff for allowing us to host our Southern California Junior Challenge at a great venue. Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking was available for the Girls 14-18 division and Boys 14-15 and Boys 16-18 divisions. Winners from all divisions received an invitation to the 2016 Tour Championship on Dec. 3-4 and the top three from each division received an invitation to the 2016 Druh Belts Mid Season Invitational at Chateau Elan on June 11-13.
Boys 16-18 Division
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Ryan Hoffenburg[/caption] The Boys 16-18 Division was clearly led by front runner Ryan Hoffenberg of Simi Valley, Calif., who took home the first place trophy at the Southern California Junior Challenge. Hoffenberg shot very consistently, shooting a 73 in each round, the best score of either day by five strokes. Michael Choma of La Quinta, Calif., placed second out of 10 divisional competitors after shooting a 159 (78-81). The third place trophy went to Devin Keith of Lakewood, Calif., who shot a 162 (82-80). Hoffenberg was also the division’s birdie leader with a total of eight, including four in five holes on Nos. 2-6 in round two.
Boys 14-15 Division
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Brian Stark[/caption] Brian Stark of Kingsburg, Calif., was the champion of the Boys 14-15 division. Stark was the division’s front runner through both days shooting a 79 and 73 en route to the 23-stroke win. Stark was able to break through for the win after tying for second last month at the HJGT’s California Kickoff. Ryan Hong of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., took home the second place trophy after shooting a 175 for the tournament (85-90). Finishing in third out of six divisional competitors was Eric Fernandez of Anaheim, Calif. Fernandez improved by eight strokes from round one to two. Along with the division title, Stark was also the division’s birdie leader with five.
Boys 11-13 Division
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Ivan Barahona[/caption] The first-place trophy in the Boys 11-13 division went to Ivan Barahona of Van Nuys, Calif., after a one-hole playoff. Barahona chipped in to prevail over Kristopher Stiles in an exciting finish. Stiles, a Lancaster, Calif., native was the second of two competitors in the division. The two posted nearly the same scores on both days: Barahona posted scores of 87 and 74, while Stiles posted 86 and 75.
Boys 10U Division
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Luke Montoya[/caption] The Boys 10U division champion was Luke Montoya of Arroyo Grande, Calif. Montoya shot scores of 87 and 82 to cruise to victory that featured three total birdies. Taking second was Kyle Mizuki of Los Alamitos, Calif., who tallied scores of 143 and 116. This was Montoya’s second division win in a row.
Girls 14-18 Division
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Hailey White[/caption] The Girls 14-18 division champion in a close race was Hailey White of Danville, Calif. White shot a 78 in round one and an 80 on Sunday. Khameryn Utu of Santa Ana, Calif., placed second after shooting a 159 for the tournament. Her 77 in round two was the low round of the division and propelled her from a tie for fourth. The third-place trophy went home with Shani White of El Segundo, Calif., who shot a 161 for the weekend. White was also the division’s birdie leader with five and was a first round co-leader.
Weather for March 12-13, 2016
Round 1: Low 56, High 38. Chilly Morning, Cloudy Skies, Overcast Round 2: Low 58, High 47. Chilly Morning, Clear Skies, Sunny
Tournament Division Yardages
Boys 16-18: 6,642 Yards Boys 14-15: 6,642 Yards Boys 11-13: 5,636 Yards Boys U10: 5,185 Yards Girls 14-18: 5,636 Yards