Ridgemark GCC July 5-6
HOLLISTER – Spencer Fletcher and Tiffany Dong won respective titles at the inaugural NCGA/JGANC Northern California Junior Players’ Championship Friday at Ridgemark GCC.
 Overall champions Tiffany Dong and Spencer Fletcher. |
The new championship boasted a different format; the modified stableford. The scoring in stableford competition is made by points awarded in relation to a fixed score at each hole. The breakdown is as follows: Double Eagle: 8 points, eagle: 5 points, birdie: 3 points, par: 2 points and 1 point for a bogey.
four out of five holes during one stretch, as well as a chip-in eagle during the final round. Fletcher knew a spectacular round was necessary to pull away from a pack of talented players clustered at the top of the leaderboard.
“Thankfully I went low enough to hold everyone off,” explained Fletcher. “My swing really fell into a slot this week. I kept the pressure off of my putting since I had so many close looks for birdie.” Five of Fletcher’s birdies were registered from within ten feet while the other one found the bottom of the hole from 25 feet away.
Dong fired an even-par 72 to become the overall girls champion . The rising junior at St. Francis in High School in Sacramento birdied five holes to secure the title and accent two rounds of precision ball striking.
“My iron play was the key,” explained Dong. “I wasn’t able to reach the par 5s in two so I stuck to my plan of laying up to 100 yards. I know I can control that shot as opposed to trying a shot I can’t do.”
Auburn’s Colby Smith could not hold on to win the overall title but his two-day 77 point total was good enough to claim the Boys 16-17 flight. Anthony Machi and Danny Garcia were three points back and tied for second place after respective 74 two-day totals.
In the Boys 14-15 flight, Daniel Covrig shot an impressive 4-under-par 68. The second lowest score of the final round earned the Modesto resident 40 points and first place honors. The overnight leader, San Jose’s Stephen Jahncke, had to settle for second place with 69 points. Patrick Grimes, Mark Wyllie and Paul Smith finished six points back in third place.
Jonathan De Los Reyes came from behind to win the Boys 12-13 flight. The Antioch resident vaulted up the scoreboard after shooting a final round even-par 72 which was good for 36 points and a 70 two-day total. Bryson Dechambeau finished two points back to earn second place honors while Anthony Manguray placed third with 65 points.
Emily Childs claimed first place in the Girls 15-17 flight with 73 points. The Alameda resident followed her first-round 68 with a 3-over-par 75. Olivia Chang was one point back in second place while Jane Lee garnered third place honors with a two-day total of 70 points.
Mariko Tumangan finished strong with a one-over par 73 to win the Girls 12-14 flight. San Jose’s Tiffany Lim claimed second place while Briana Mao of Folsom took third place with a 63 two-day point total.
View scorecards:
 Boys 16-17 flight winner Colby Smith with runners-up Danny Garcia and Anthony Machi. |
 Boys 14-15 flight winner Daniel Covrig, runner-up Stephen Jahncke and third-place finisher Mark Wyllie. Missing: Paul Smith and Patrick Grimes. |
 Boys 12-13 flight winner Jonathan De Los Reyes, runner-up Bryson Dechambeau and third-place finisher Anthony Manguray. |
 Girls 15-17 flight winner Emily Childs, runner-up Olivia Change and third-place finisher Jane Lee. |
 Girls 12-14 flight winner Mariko Tumangan, runner-up Tiffany Lim and third-place finisher Briana Mao. |