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12800 Bunker Prairie Road
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
763-754-6641
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2002 Minnesota Junior Golf Association Player Profile Archives
• Fall 2002 - Player Profiles
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| Chad Michelson Age 18 Marshall, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Chad won the 2002 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions at Izaty's G&YC. He shot 72-73-145 to tie for first place, and he won the playoff on the second hole. Chad placed 10th in the 2001 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions. He was the low qualifier at the Minnehaha CC Westfield PGA Junior Championship in 2001. Chad had one 2nd place finish on the Players' Tour in 2001 and 2002. He won 2 Junior Tour events in 2000. Chad is a four-time letter winner at Marshall High School, and he was voted MVP 3 times and Rookie of the year his freshman year. He was All-Conference three years in a row (2000-2002) and he is the 2002 Conference Champion. He participated in the 2002 MSHSL Class "AA" Golf Tournament. Chad won the 2000 2AA Invitational, and he is the 2002 Club Champion at Marshall GC.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"My most memorable experience would be coming back from four strokes down in the final round of the Tournament of Champions up at Izaty's and winning on the second playoff hole."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Make sure you take it one hole at a time and don't be thinking about your score. Stay focused, play your game, and have fun."
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
At this time Chad is attending St. John's University in Collegeville, MN and playing on the golf team. When not playing golf, he loves watching and playing many other sports. He enjoys hunting, fishing, going to the lake and skiing, and hanging out with friends.
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| Justin Hagen Age 15 Chaska, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Justin won the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Cup at Sawmill GC for Boys' 13-15. He won two Junior Tour events to qualify for the Players' Cup. He maintained a scoring average of 77.5 while playing on the 2002 Players' Tour. Justin lettered on his high school team this spring as a freshman. He placed second in Junior Match Play at his home course, The Chaska Town Course. His biggest accomplishment was shooting a -3 (69) on his home course. He was +1 going into hole 14 and then birdied four of his last five holes.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"Winning the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Cup at Sawmill Golf Club. I shot a 72 to win by three shots. Also, shooting a 70 at Timber Creek GC to win by a shot. And last, I had the opportunity to play the Legacy at Cragun's by qualifying for the 2002 Players' Tour Match Play Championship."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Play within yourself and practice your short game. Also have a lot of fun…this is a game you can play for the rest of your life. Continue to work on your game in the winter months.
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Justin loves playing golf with his friends, and he plays basketball in the winter.
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| Luke Gaskins Age 16 Minneapolis, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Luke won the 2002 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship overall Boys' Division. He qualified by shooting a 66 at Dwan GC, and then he shot 73-77-150 at Olympic Hills GC and Bent Creek GC. Luke finished 23rd at the National Westfield Junior PGA Championship in Westfield, Ohio with scores of 72-74-76-75-297. Luke also won a Players' Tour event at Northland CC with a 71. He placed 5th at the 2002 PGA National Junior Series Tournament at Chaska Town Course. He also won a high school tournament at Chaska Town Course. He placed in the top 25 at the 2002 MSHSL Class AA Golf Tournament at Bunker Hills GC. During his practice round there, he had his first hole-in-one on the 3rd hole.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"My most memorable moment was winning the Westfield MN PGA Tournament at Bent Creek GC. I beat Patrick Herzog, probably one of the best overall junior golfers in Minnesota, in a one-hole playoff. I then played well at the national tournament and had a great time."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"The most important thing is to have fun. After that, though, the short game is so important. Practice spending more time putting, chipping, hitting bunker shots and pitching than you do now. Practice the short game more than the long game.
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Luke likes to play hockey and football. He also likes to read books. He is in a volunteer group with his school, Benilde-St. Margaret's and is active with the Basilica of St. Mary's youth group. He also likes spending time with his family and friends.
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| Jake Hansen Age 13 White Bear Lake, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Jake won the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Transition Tour Championship at River Oaks GC. He shot a 72 to win by 5 shots. Jake played on the Beginners' Tour, Transition Tour, and Junior Tour in 2002. He tied for first at Bunker Hills GC, he tied for second at Oak Glen CC, and he tied for third at Forest Hills CC.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"My fondest memory is going 3 under par on the first four holes en route to shooting 72 (+1) to win the State (Transition Tour) Championship! Finishing third with the older boys at Forest Hill GC while shooting 81. Meeting some great new buddies and playing new courses."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Play as often as you can. Compete with anyone willing to play with you! Have putting contests on the practice green. Make practice fun by pretending to be playing on the PGA Tour!
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Jake enjoys hockey, soccer, baseball, hunting and fishing. He is captain of the White Bear Lake Peewee "A" Hockey Team.
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| Katie Wetsch Age 18 Mandan, ND |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Katie won the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Cup for 16-18 Girls' at Somerset CC. She played in four events on the Junior Tour, and placed first at Eagle Valley GC. Katie was the 2002 Junior Champion at the North Dakota Women's Amateur. She lettered 5 times in high school and was a five-time state participant. Her best finish was 6th place in 2001. She was All-State in 1999 and 2001, and All-Conference in 1999, 2000, and 2001.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"After 2 double bogeys in a row at the Players' Cup, I birdied 2 holes in a row a little later. I only had one bogey in the last 7 holes and I went on to win the tourney."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Just play your game. Take it one shot at a time and don't worry about previous shots."
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Katie likes spending time with friends and out on the boat. She works at the golf course in Mandan (Prairie West) during the summer. She is currently golfing on the Minnesota State Mankato golf team.
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| Jessie Shin Age 16 Mankato, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Jesse won the 2002 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions at Izaty's G&YC, with scores of 73-75-148. She has been playing in the Minnesota PGA Players' Tour/Junior Tour for 3 years. Jessie was a part of the victorious Minnesota team for the MN/WI Cup Matches, winning her singles match 2 & 1. In Series D of the Players' Tour, Jessie won one event and placed second in another event. She was the medallist at the sectional qualifying for the U.S. Junior Girls' Championship at Rolling Green CC, shooting a 78. She competed at the Championship in Westfield, New Jersey. She also competed in her first AJGA event at The Pines and finished 9th. Jessie played in the MWGA State Amateur and shot 78-78-85. She has been playing varsity golf at Mankato West High School for 4 years and has lettered every single year. This past spring, she was Section 2AA Champion, shooting a 76.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"Being able to be a part of the Minnesota team for the MN/WI Junior Cup Matches was the best part of the summer. Not only because we won back what was rightfully ours, but because our team was so great and Bob got thrown into a pond."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Make sure you don't get down on yourself, self-doubt is the first step to failure."
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Besides golf, Jessie likes going to sporting events, skiing in the winter, listening to AC/DC, doing entertaining things with friends and working part time in a restaurant. She receives straight A's, is a cabinet member in the Student Council, a member of the Key Club, a peer tutor and a member of the Youth in Government program.
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| Meredith Waterston Age 17 Bloomington, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Meredith placed fourth at the 2002 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions at Izaty's G&YC, and she advanced to the Semi-Finals during the Players' Tour Match Play Championship at The Legacy at Cragun's. On the Players' Tour, she had one first place finish; she tied for second once, and placed third once. Meredith writes: "I finally broke 80 this summer and felt that my game showed a lot of improvement. I tried to get something good out of all my tournaments. On Labor Day, September 2nd, I got my first hole-in-one! The course was Fox Hollow GC in Rogers, MN, and hole #3 on the gold side. I used my 7-wood on this 174-yard hole. Good thing I brought extra money to buy for everyone. I also had two eagles in one match at a tournament this summer.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"At the match play event at Cragun's in July and the Tournament of Champions at Izaty's in August, I'd have to say these were my favorite this summer because I really felt a connection with the girls. Their talent inspires me to want to be a better golfer."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Stay confident and never give up. If you hit a bad shot, shake it off and stick the next one! Mental attitude is probably the most important thing to remember otherwise it becomes physical and usually messes up the game. Stay healthy!"
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Meredith volunteers every chance she can and has over 1,200 hours working with Alzheimer's patients, Special Olympics athletes, and mentally challenged adult groups in a learning environment. She also is a Sunday school teacher. She plays varsity basketball at school and works out daily!
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| Laura Taylor Age 14 Woodbury, MN |
Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Laura won the 2002 Players' Cup for girls' 13-15 at Sawmill GC. 2002 was Laura's first year of competition on the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Junior Tour, and she was overall medallist three times, she placed 1st in her age group five times and placed 2nd once and 3rd once. She played on the Woodbury High School Varsity team as an eighth grader. She placed 2nd in her first National PGA Tournament in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event:
"My most memorable experience was being invited to and winning the 13-15 age division in the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Cup Championship."
What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game?
"Practice chipping, pitching, putting, since this is where many strokes can be saved. Carry a healthy snack with you so you do not run out of energy. Don't just hit balls; make your practice sessions count."
Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Laura doesn't have any other hobbies or activities; she just loves playing golf at every opportunity, especially with her dad!
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