Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Summer Series II Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (June 17, 2022) –The 2021-2022 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions Thursday at the Summer Series II Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
Matthew Almajano shot 1-under par 143 and defeated Nathan Lee in a sudden-death playoff and Cathy Zhang shot 3-over par 147 and defeated Sarah Yeh in a sudden-death playoff to win their respective divisions at the Summer Series II Championship held Wednesday and Thursday at par-72 Poppy Ridge Golf Course.
With their wins, Almajano and Zhang earned spots into this year’s PGA Junior Championship and PGA Junior Girls’ Championship, respectively.
A runner-up over the weekend, Almajano notched his second win of the 2021-22 season with solid play both days. In Wednesday’s opener, he’d post four birdies to go against three bogeys. On Thursday, Almajano had two birdies on the back-nine to help get him in the playoff.
Lee in the first round had a front-nine 33 that included four birdies through his first five holes. He’d get into the playoff thanks to a clutch birdie on the 18th in regulation.
Chad Flory was third at 144 after a final round 69. Leland Tsai was fourth at 145 and Jayden Lizama was fifth at 146.
In the Girls’ Championship, Zhang earned her third win of the season with solid play. In Wednesday’s opener she’d card a back-nine 34 that included a run of four birdies in a row. A day later, Zhang was steady posting 15 pars to go against three bogeys.
Yeh made a move in the final round with two birdies on her front-nine. She’d post a 73.
Third place went to Lily Peng at 148 after a 76. Selena Tang and Michelle Ho tied for fourth at 152.
Three players—Darla May DeLa Torre, Abigail Lin and Petra Yee—all finished T-4 at 149.
In the Boys’ First Flight Championship, Reagan Baker carded a final round 73 to come in at 150 and defeat runner-up Max Canny by two. Canny had a final round 75.
Luke Swanson was third at 153. Three players---Ryan Pupach, Christopher Chang and Aiden Lew—finished T-4 at 154.
In the Girls’ First Flight Championship, Jayleen Sito had a final round 87 to come in at 162 and defeat runner-up Cynthia Liu by a stroke. Liu had a final round 82.
Hayley Fong was third at 170. Riley Jiang was fourth at 182.
The next event on the JTNC calendar is the First Flight Tournament to be held June 26 at Coyote Creek Golf Course in San Jose.