Despite being 2 of the youngest players in the ReBath Heather Farr Classic field, Trey Kaahanui, 14, & Kyung Kim, 13, were not intimidated by the more experienced competition, as the Arizona residents picked up their first AJGA titles Sunday.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Longbow Golf Club, the ReBath Heather Farr Classic featured 138 players from 20 states, Canada, the Cayman Islands & Scotland. The field consisted of 90 boys & 48 girls, ages 12-18, & included 15 Rolex Junior All-Americans. Playing to a par 71, Longbow Golf Club measured 7,001 yards for the boys & 6,150 yards for the girls.
The 54-hole stroke play event's past champions list includes Hunter Mahan (1999), Philip Francis (2006), Amanda Blumenherst (2002) & Paula Creamer (2003, 2004).
For Kaahanui, of Tempe, playing in his fourth AJGA event, the age factor was a non-factor, as he has received plenty of good advice for competing against veteran players.
"A lot of people say, "You're good - don't worry. Play your game and have fun out there," Kaahanui said. "That really helps, it makes me feel better."
Entering the event relatively unknown, a pair of 65s in the first 2 rounds grabbed everyone's attention. After building an 8-shot advantage in the Boys Division, Kaahanui coasted to victory with a 2-over-par 73 Sunday for a tournament total of 65-65-73-203.
Although his final round was slow starting, as he made three bogeys in his 1st five holes, Kaahanui played his remaining holes at 1-under-par and never saw his lead fall below five strokes.
In 2nd place, five shots back, was Nicholas Losole III, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who shot 68-71-69-208. Tied for 3rd were Rak Cho of Brea, Calif., James Erkenbeck of San Diego, & Robbie Ziegler of Canby, Ore., at 210.
In the Girls Division, Kim, of Chandler, was playing in only her 3rd AJGA event, so it is understandable that she developed a case of nerves. Fortunately, those nerves didn't show up until she was standing over a 6-foot putt on the final hole. Clinging to a 2-stroke lead, Kim was not about to let victory slip from her grasp.
She had already outperformed one of the highest ranked players in the country, 15-year-old Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif., a 2-time Rolex Junior All-American who is ranked 15th in the Polo Golf Rankings.
Although Frasier entered the final round with a one-shot lead, Kim parred the 1st six holes, while Frasier bogeyed her 1st three in a stiff morning wind. Kim took the lead after the 2nd hole & never relinquished it.
The wind didn't knock Kim off course, as she made 2 birdies & 2 bogeys to escape with an even-par round & finish the tournament at 70-68-71-209. No one in the field scored lower on Sunday. Her final hole told the story, as she came to the tee with a 2-shot lead.
After hitting her tee shot down the middle, there was much work left to be done on the 411-yard par 4 to secure the victory.
"I hit a 7-wood into the green because the wind was in my face," Kim said. "I had a 6-foot putt & my hands were shaking. It was the last hole & everybody was watching."
Just as she had all day, Kim stayed calm under pressure, draining the birdie putt to close out a three-stroke victory.
After leading the first 2 days, Frasier fell into 2nd place with a 1-under-par total of 212. Tied for 3rd place was a pair of Hawaiians, Stephanie Kono of Honolulu & Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, at 215. Kono tied Kim for the low final round at even-par 71.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth & development of young men & 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 & girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states & more than 25 foreign countries.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst & 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 2nd Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate & 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 & Julieta Granada.
For more information about the ReBath Heather Farr Classic, visit: ajga.org.