Junior Golf Tour of Northern California Crowns Winners at Holiday Series III Championship at both Del Monte & Poppy Hills Golf Courses.
The 2024-2025 Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) crowned champions during the Holiday Series III Championship held on the Monterey peninsula at both Del Monte and Poppy Hills Golf Courses, respectively.
Brandon Pantaleon shot 2-under par 141 and Anita Lumpongpoung shot 4-over par 147 to win their respective divisions at the Holiday III Championship, Poppy Hills played to a par-71 and Del Monte played to a par-72.
Pantaleon picked up his first win of the 2024-2025 JTNC season thanks to consistent play over both rounds. In Monday's opener, Brandon would post a 1-over 73 at Del Monte GC that included two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. A day later and at what is arguably a more difficult venue, Brandon carded a 68 with an impressive five birdies and just two bogeys. Pantaleon is now ranked tenth on the 2024-2025 Boys Player of the Year standings at 363 points.
Ethan Cheng, now ranked fourteenth on the 2024-2025 Boys Player of the Year standings, finished second at 145 with rounds of 75-70. Over the course of the two-day tournament, Ethan showed flashes of phenomenal golf as he carded six birdies throughout the 36 holes.
Ferderick Egnatios, of Scottsdale, Arizona, picked up third place at 147 as he carded rounds of 70-77 and beating his next closest competitor via a card-off. Subsequently, fourth place was awarded to Luke Swanson who also finished at 4-over par 147 and carding a total of five birdies and one eagle.
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In the Girls’ Championship, Anita Lumpongpoung secured her second win on the Junior Tour as she carded four birdies on her way to victory. Anita posted rounds of 74-73, winning the Girls’ Championship flight by three shots over runner-up Madalynn Lee. Anita wrapped up an outstanding 2024 on the Junior Tour as this is her seventh medal of the calendar year. Anita is currently ranked as the number one Girl on the Junior Tour Player of the Year standings with a total of 1,568 points.
Second place was awarded to Madalynn Lee who had opened with a 3-over 75 at Poppy Hills GC, going on to repeat that score a day later at Del Monte GC ending with 7-over par 150. Madalynn's steady play throughout the 36-holes was enough to see out third place by one shot.
Third place was awarded to Lexi Lowe of San Jose, Lexi turned in scores of 72-79 as she narrowly missed out on a runners-up medal. Lexi's sub par performance on the final nine holes of competition could be to blame as she made three bogeys to fall down the leaderboard.
In the Boys’ First Flight, Lane Martin shot a final round 78 to come in at 156 and defeat runner-up Jay Hsu by two shots. Martin earns his first win of the 2024-2025 JTNC season as he carded four bridies, with a 39 on his final nine holes sealing his champion’s medal.
Jay Hsu took second place via a card-off with rounds of 82-76, finishing at 158. Jay's final nine total of 36 was the deciding factor when having to settle the three-way tie between himself, Ethan Mouanoutoua, and Justin Russo Jr. Ethan eventually took third place with rounds of 82-76 as well, the deciding factor for the card-off between Ethan and Justin was the final nine Ethan carded as his 39 was enough to see out Russo Jr.'s 41. Ethan carded a total of five birdies over the two day tournament.
In the Girls’ First Flight, Yilin Xia shot a final round 88 and defeated runner-up Hailey Li by five shots. Yilin wins her first tournament of the 2024-2025 season with rounds of 81-88, ending with a total of 169.
Second place went to Riley Au, of Millbrae, with identical rounds of 81-93 putting her at 174. Third place went to Lulu Escobar at 38-over par for a total of 181. Isabel Wee took fourth place with a total of 183.