RecruitLook Junior Golf Tour
Las Vegas Junior Championship
Las Vegas Golf Club
March 4-5, 2017
The sophomore season of the RecruitLook Junior Golf Tour started this past weekend, and what a memorable event it was! We had a big turnout with almost 40 players. We had another hole in one, this 
time by a female player, Carolyn Lemon, in the girls 13-14. She aced the 17th hole from 110 yards, using a pitching wedge. This was Carolyn’s first hole in one — way to go Carolyn!
Day 1 weather was breezy, but nothing like day 2. With gusts up to 40 MPH, just completing the round was an accomplishment. The golfers proved their resilience with everyone finishing their round. Players were cold and wind burnt, but you would never know it with the smiles on their faces at the scoring table.
We had a Bagger Vance moment on day 1 with the last group of the girl’s 15-18. They had to play the last hole in the dark, because they did not want to have to come back early the next day to finish their round. The lights from the driving range helped them play the hole, and Tommy Canale along with all the parents used their phones to give them enough light to putt on the green. Great memories!
Kevin Inthachack won the boys 15-18 with solid play both days. With rounds of 71-81/152, Kevin cruised to a 7 shot win over Arpepanya Phonsavanh (AP) and Michael Salerno who tied with 159’s. Kevin’s 71, 1-under par, was the lowest round of the tournament. This was Kevin’s first victory on the RecruitLook Junior Golf Tour. AP won the scorecard playoff for the 2nd place medal.
Boy’s 13-14 champion was C.J. Martin, also a first winner on the tour with a score of 83-93/176. CJ held a 4-shot lead heading into day 2, and with all golfers battling the wind conditions; CJ was able to fight off the field for the victory. Another scorecard playoff was needed to decide 2nd and 3rd with Nicholas Derochers beating out Ryan Ramirez.
Boys 11-12 went to Vincent Forbes with rounds of 82-89/171. First time tour player and a first time tour winner! Great job Vincent.
Lauren Pham won her first event on the tour in the girls 11-12 with 85-91/176. After day 1, only 4 strokes separated Pham from 2nd place finisher Jayda Sidney. Pham won out on day 2 while battling the wind conditions.
Nathan Putala took top honors in the boys 9-10 with a slim one-shot victory over Ethan Long, 92 to 93. All boys’ age group winners were first time winners.
The girl’s 15-18 winner was Lexi Hamel from Santa Clara, UT. Lexi started day two, nine shots out of first place. By the end of nine holes, Lexi made up the stroke difference and passed the two girls ahead of her. Lexi secured her victory with a solid performance shooting 85-81/166 to first round leader Rebecca Oertel’s 76-92/168, who finished 2nd.
Bella Gopwani ran away from the field in the girls 13-14 to win by 12 shots over our hole in one player, Carolyn Lemon. Following day 1, all girls were still in contention, but Bella was the most consistent over the 36-holes.
Yana Wilson, girl’s 9-10 is back in the winner circle with a strong 82, an outstanding performance in the most difficult of conditions. Yana fired a 41-41 to beat out Dakota Tallent.
View more pictures from the RLJGT event at Las Vegas Golf Club.
Don’t forget we have our next event at Aliante Golf Club on March 25-26, 2017. Visit the RLJGT schedule to register for that event.
