IJGT SoCal Open at Legends G.C. - Final Results

Some of the most skilled junior golfers came to compete in the two-day, 36-hole International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) SoCal Open held at The Legends Golf Club. There was great excitement on Sunday in the Boys 15-19 Division, as a playoff was required to determine a winner.

Joseph Ko of Chatsworth, Calif., was crowned Champion for the first time in an IJGT event after winning a one-hole playoff at The Legends Golf Club. On Saturday, Ko struggled on the first 11 holes of his round playing them in 4-over-par. He found his rhythm on the last seven holes finishing with two birdies, two bogeys, and three pars for a 4-over-par 76. Ko trailed first round leader, Max Meisenheimer of Newport Beach, Calif., by four strokes going into Sunday's final round, but he knew it was anyone's game at that point. Ko started off well, making six straight pars to start his round. After a bogey on No. 7, Ko turned it into high gear making four birdies in his last 11 holes. He played those holes in 3-under-par to close with a 2-under-par 70.

In the final group of the day, Matthew Kemps of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., had a great round going as well. He started the day at 4-over-par 76 just like Ko. Kemps caught fire on the front nine finishing with a 3-under-par 33. He would give one stroke back on the closing nine holes to finish with a 2-under-par 70 to force a playoff.

The playoff between Ko and Kemps was played on hole No. 1 at The Legends Golf Club, which is a downhill, dogleg left that requires an iron shot of the tee. Both players hit the fairway from the tee, and then proceeded to miss the green with their approach shots. Ko was able to get up-and-down for par to secure his victory in the Boys 15-19 Division.

Both Ko and Kemps earned the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award, which is given to the player who records the lowest score during Sunday's final round. Finishing in third place with a tournament total of 150 was Meisenheimer.

Baylee Barckley of Canyon Lake, Calif., won an IJGT tournament for the third time on Sunday. She earned the repeat title at The Legends Golf Club after finishing with a tournament total of 164. Although Barckley did not have her "A-game" this weekend, the victory still came in convincing fashion. She went into the final round with a seven stroke lead and finished the tournament with an 18 stroke victory. On Sunday, Barckley made four birdies in route to a 7-over-par 79.

Barckley's final round score of 79 earned her the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award, which is given to the player who records the lowest score during Sunday's final round.
Finishing in second place in the Girls Division with a tournament score of 182 was Christine Esserman of Orinda, Calif.

Barckley improved her score six strokes on Sunday. When asked about the difference she replied, "I tried not to get myself down after yesterday and I worked hard out there today, and hit my irons and drives a lot better."

Taking home the trophy in the Boys 14 & Under Division was Mikee Ordona of Upland, Calif. This was his third career IJGT victory at the young age of 11-years-old. In the first round, Ordona tied his lowest score ever recorded in an IJGT event with an 82. The highlight of his round came on hole No. 12 where he made a birdie. He finished the tournament with an 84 in the final round on Sunday to claim the title.

"It feels good (to be a champion again)...and looking to trying win another tournament," Ordona said when asked about winning his third IJGT tournament.

The IJGT will travel to Kissimmee, Fla., for a tournament at Falcon's Fire Golf Club on September 22-23, 2012. The Rees Jones design is one of the most popular stops on tour and always provides a great atmosphere for junior golf.

To sign up for this event or others, or for more information call (800) 792-9143 or visit www.IJGT.com.

About the IJGT

The IJGT provides exceptional junior golfers with the opportunity to develop and showcase their competitive skills while setting high standards to preserve the traditions and integrity of the game. As a tour that operates primarily throughout the academic year, the IJGT hosts approximately 60 tournaments annually. In addition, the IJGT hosts three international events. Each event provides multi-day competition for junior golfers of all skill levels ages 9-19. Players representing 45 states and 43 countries around the world regularly compete in events at venues such as TPC Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Bethpage State Park, and Harbour Town Golf Links. Official partners of the IJGT include Bridgestone Golf, Quagmire Golf, KENTWOOL, CHAMP Spikes, Clazic Belts, AB Golf Designs, The First Tee, Golf Digest/Golf World, morodZ, PURE Grips, and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy.

To obtain more information about the IJGT, please visit www.IJGT.com or call (800) 792-9143.

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TEMECULA, CALIF. - Final round results of the IJGT SoCal Open at The Legends Golf Club conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour completed September 16, 2012. Boys 15-19 Division: Gold Tees - 6514 yards, par 72 (71.4/129). Boys 14 & Under Division: Blue Tees - 6081 yards, par 72 (69.7/124). Girls Division: White Tees - 5914 yards, par 72 (73.1/131)


Weather: Sunny with temperatures in the Mid 90s with winds of 5-10 m.p.h.
Sunny with temperatures in the Mid 80s. with winds of 5-10 m.p.h.

International Junior Golf Tour SoCal Open
The Legends Golf Club
Temecula, Calif.
September 15-16, 2012

Boys 15-19 Division - Black Tees, 6514 yards, Par 72
1. x-Joseph Ko, Chatsworth, CA, *76-70--146
2. Matthew Kemps, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, *76-70--146
3. Max Meisenheimer, Newport Beach, CA, *72-78--150
4. Jake Williams, Temecula, CA, *75-78--153
5. Carson Caccamise, Malibu, CA, *78-76--154
6. Matt Walsh, Encinitas, CA, *80-80--160
7. Danny Oh, Fullerton, CA, *81-81--162
7. Grant Sholem, Santa Monica, CA, *79-83--162
9. Ryan Hicks, Santa Monica, CA, *90-86--176

DID NOT FINISH

Connor Mahoney, Huntington Beach, CA, *DQ (Rule 6-3a)

Boys 14 & Under Division - Blue Tees, 6081 yards, Par 72
1. Mikee Ordona, Upland, CA, *82-84--166

Girls Division - White Tees, 5914 yards, Par 72
1. Baylee Barckley, Canyon Lake, CA, *85-79--164
2. Christine Esserman, Orinda, CA, *92-90--182

x-Won in Playoff