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Player Profile Archives	Thursday, March 11, 2010

March/April 2002

		Jessica Thomas     Age 17      Esko, MN
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Jessica is the recipient of a 2001 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship. She was a member of the Minnesota PGA Players' Tour in 2000 and 2001. Jessica won in a playoff to place third at the Minnesota Valley CC Players' Tour event. She participated in the Inagurual Players' Tour Match Play Championship at the Legacy at Cragun's. She also was a member of the 2001 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Junior Tour. Jessica won four Junior Tour events, played in the Players' Cup, and was eighth in the 2001 Junior Tour based on scoring average. Jessica also participated in MGA for Northland Country Club. She placed seventh at the MGA State Championship at Town & Country Club. Jessica has been on the varsity golf team for five years, has been All-Conference, and is Captain of her high school golf team. Jessica is also the 2001 Northland Country Club Junior Invitational Champion.      Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I was in a playoff at Minnesota Valley. I was a little nervous going to the tee but after I hit my drive my nerves were gone. The shot was exactly where I wanted it. I decided I had a good chance of making the green in two. I hit another pretty good shot, just short of the green. I chipped on and one-putted for birdie (4) and to win the playoff."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Focus on each shot rather than thinking about shooting a particular score or winning the tournament. Stay in the present, the rest will take care of itself."      Additional Activities/Hobbies: In addition to golf, Jessica enjoys playing volleyball. She is a member of the National Honor Society, "A" Honor Roll, Focus on Youth, is a Junior Rotarian, and plays the saxophone in jazz band.
		Jenna Buckwalter     Age 17      Lake Preston, SD
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Jenna placed 2nd in the 2001 Junior Tour scoring average award standings for 14-15 age division, and she placed 3rd at the Players' Cup Championship at the Interlachen Country Club in Edina last summer. Jenna has golfed on the Varsity Team since seventh grade - she currently is a freshman at Lake Preston High School. She placed 5th in the SD State B High School Golf Tournament as a 7th Grader and 6th place as an 8th grader. Jenna is the 2000 State SDGA Junior Champion in the 11-12 age division, and she placed 3rd in the 13-14 age division last year.      Most memorable experience(s) occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "Golfing in the Players Cup Championship at Interlachen CC. I tied for third and I had to have a chipoff. I ended up winning. It was rewarding to travel that far and play such a nice course and come home with a trophy."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "To practice as much as possible and if you have a bad hole in a tournament, don't let it ruin your whole round for the day."      Additional Activites/Hobbies: I am a 6-ft. varsity starter for my volleyball and basketball team this year as a freshman. I enjoy being at the lake, boating, and fishing and of course golfing in my spare time!
		Lindsay Somrock     Age 17     Edina, MN
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Lindsay has enjoyed playing in the Minnesota PGA Junoir Golf Association Players' Tour for the past two years. Last year Lindsay was the co-medallist in the Series D event at Rush Creek GC. Lindsay was the medallist in the high school Classic Lake Conference tournament and an individual qualifier for last year's Minnesota State High School AA State Championship, finishing in twelfth place. Additionally, she finished third in the Minnesota Golf Association Junior Amateur Championship at the Town and Country Club and finished fifth in the Minnesota 2001 Westfield Minnesota PGA Junior Championship. Lindsay also was the Interlachen Country Club Girls Champion for the fourth year in a row.      Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "At last year's Rush Creek event I was one over par on the front nine coming into the ninth hole. I had a terrific drive, but a safe approach, avoiding the water-guarded pin, left me with about an 80-foot downhill, sharply breaking putt. Only hoping for a two putt I struck the ball and it seemed almost radar guided and dropped into the cup for a birdie and an even par 36 on the front nine."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "When you practice, practice the shots you don't do well on the golf course and concentrate on your short game. Stay loose and smile on the golf course. Positive attitude yields positive results for your game."      Additional Activities/Hobbies: Golf is really Lindsay's second sport. Swimming is her first sport and since she trains year round except for the spring High School season it leaves her little time for golf practice. Lindsay was part of the Edina High School three-peat State Swim Champions. She was named an All-State Swimmer and was the anchor swimmer on the team's All-American 200 yard freestyle relay team.
		Lindsay Danielson     Age 11     Osceola, WI
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: 2001 was Lindsay's first year of golf competition. She won the 2001 Minnesota PGA 11 & Under Championship, shooting a 45 on the par 32 Lafayette Club, to win the tournament by two strokes. Overall, Lindsay played in 5 Minnesota PGA Junior Tour events, taking first in four tournaments and 2nd place in the other tournament.      Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I liked meeting new people and playing new courses. I also liked improving on my game. I had a blast! My most memorable event was winning the Minnesota PGA 11& Under Junior Championship at Lafayette Club."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I would suggest to relax and take your shot. Don't think negative think positive. Remember to practice. It was easier for me each time I played in a tournament. I felt more confident each time."      Additional Activities/Hobbies: Lindsay loves to play basketball. She also plays soccer and softball. She snowboards and water-skis.
		Brad Cole     Age 18     Andover, MN
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Brad was the 2001 Players' Tour Series D Champion. He took 2nd at the Wild Marsh GC and Golden Valley CC events. In 2001, he had a Junior Tour scoring average of 72.4, which tied him for third place in the Junior Tour Scoring Average Award standings for boys ages 16-18. Brad won Junior Tour events at Majestic Oaks GC, Monticello CC, and Dahlgreen GC. In 2000, he had a scoring average of 74.8 and finished sixth for boys 16-18. He qualified for 2001 Minnesota Westfield PGA Junior Championship and finished sixth by shooting 81-72=153. Brad is a three-year letter winner for Anoka High School and has been in the top 4 of the conference twice. He won his conference match play championship in 2000, has won three conference matches and is a Co-Captain for 2002. Brad qualified for the Players' Cup, Players' Tour Tournament of Champions and Westfield Minnesota PGA Junior Championship each of the last two years, and he participated in the Inaugural Players' Tour Match Play Championship at the Legacy at Cragun's. He is also the recipient of a 2001 Minnesota PGA Junior Scholarship.      Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I shot a 69 at Majestic Oaks GC to win a 2001 Junior Tour event. Even though I played over 40 high school and summer tournaments last year, this one sticks out because it was my first time in the 60s."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Play as many tournaments as you can. When it comes to pressure situations, experience from past situations will help overcome nerves. Also, spend as much time as possible working on your short game, because it is the difference!"      Additional Activites/Hobbies: Brad is a Highest Honors student, and a member of National Honor Society. When not golfing, Brad works two jobs, teaches Sunday School, is an editor for his high school newspaper, and enjoys sports and being with his friends.
		Scott Gustafson     Age 17     Eden Prairie, MN
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Scott was the 2001 Players' Tour Series B Champion. He finished first in two Players' Tour events and second in one. He participated in the Inagurual Players' Tour Match Play Championship. Scott qualified for the 2001 US Jr. Amateur, and he tied for 13th in medal play with scores of 75-67=142. He advanced to the second round of match play. He qualified for the MN State Amateur in the summer of 2000 and tied for 25th. He played in the MN/ Manitoba Cup in 2001. Scott won the IJGT Tucson National in 1999 with scores of 77-69=146. He has 5 career top 15 finishes in AJGA events. Scott placed first in the FCWT at Notre Dame in the Fall of 2001. In November, Scott received a scholarship to attend and play golf at Notre Dame, beginning in the fall of 2002.      Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "Last summer, playing at Northland CC in Duluth, I came in with a score of 67 but tied for first with another golfer. I won with a birdie on the 1st hole of the play-off."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Concentrate on the short game, and play in as many competitions as possible to gain experience."      Additional Activities/Hobbies: Scott also plays intramural basketball and football.
		Billy Barnhart     Age 11     Cottage Grove, MN
		Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Billy won the 2001 MN PGA Boys' 11 & Under Junior Championship at Lafayette Club. On the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Junior Tour, Billy placed first twice and second twice in his age group, and he placed first twice and second twice in the Boys' 12-13 age group. On his 11th birthday, he placed 5th in the Boys' 13-15 age group, and was one shot away at Como Park GC from qualifying for the Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship. He was a Regional Finalist, placing second in Madison, WI for the Golf Channel's Drive, Chip and Putt Junior Golf Skills competition. Billy has had three hole-in-ones, with his first one occurring on Easter Sunday when he was 8 years old.      Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I have two memorable experiences last year. One at the beginning of the year, winning my first 12-13 year old tournament at Mississippi Dunes when I was still 10 years old. The other memorable experience was at the end of the year winning the 11 and Under Championship at Lafayette and then playing in the Players' Cup at Olympic Hills on the same day, one of the hottest days of the year with wet towels around my neck to keep cool."      What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Focus on one shot at a time. Don't worry about the other players in the tournament and never give up! When I won my first Minnesota PGA Junior Championship at age 9. I was four shots down with one hole left to play. I ended up winning the tournament in a sudden-death playoff."      Additional Activities/Hobbies: Besides tormenting his younger brother and sister, Billy enjoys hockey in the winter and swimming and fishing at lakes and the St. Croix River in the summer.
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