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| The Official Site of the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association | home |
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| Player Profile Archives | Saturday, May 17, 2008 |
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Frances Rise Age 18 Perham, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Frances was a member of the 2000 Minnesota PGA Jr. Golf Association Players' Tour. She finished 11th in the overall Player of the Year Points list.
Earlier she placed 3rd in her Series, shooting a 77 to win at Perham Lakeside CC. She also finished second at Majestic Oaks GC. Frances qualified as an individual for the MGA State Junior Championship and the Minnesota State Class "A" tournament the past two years. In August 2000, Frances won the Perham Lakeside CC Women's Club Championship for the 2nd consecutive year, shooting a two-day total of 184. She has been a member of her high school golf team since 7th grade. In 8th grade, she earned the first of 5 All-Conference honors and a team letter. In 2000, she earned the All-Conference MVP Award along with 4 team conference titles.
Most memorable experience(s) occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "The most memorable experiences would be playing all of the beautiful and elite courses in Minnesota. There are some courses that I would never have had the chance to play again. The Minnesota Jr. PGA offers young golfers with great opportunities." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "The most important element is to be mentally tough. Always remember there will be another shot and another hole. Also, golf is a game, have fun but stay focused." Additional Activites/Hobbies: Frances is also on the varsity volleyball and basketball teams, along with golf. She has earned All-Conference honors in all three sports. When not playing sports, she likes to listen to music, be with friends and have fun. Frances belongs to National Honor Society and maintains a 3.95 GPA. | |
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Staci Smoot Age 15 Rochester, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Staci was a member of the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Tour and Junior Tour. She took 1st place at Chaska TC, one of the events
in her Series, with an 81. She also placed 2nd at Red Wing CC and Albert Lea CC. On the Junior Tour, Staci placed 1st at Oak Summit GC with an 80, and she placed 2nd at two other events. Staci participated in an Optimist qualifier and won it to advance to the National tournament in Florida last August. Staci is now in her high school golf season with Rochester Lourdes and has won 5 out of 6 tournaments.
Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "My most memorable experiences were meeting so many people and becoming good friends with them." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Practice is of course one of the biggest things, but I would also advise people on keeping their head in their game and not getting distracted." Additional Activities/Hobbies: Staci likes to play basketball, volleyball, pool and any other sport they will let her play. | |
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Amy Schmucker Age 17 Cold Spring, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: 
Amy was a member of the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Tour. She played in 4 of the 6 Players' Tour Series events, placing 1st in 3 events and 2nd in the fourth event. Amy was All-
Conference in the Central Lakes Conference 7th through 10th grades, and she was Conference medallist in the 2000 season. Amy was the Section 8AA Champion in 1999, and she finished 5th place in the Minnesota State H.S. Class "AA" Tournament in 1999. She also finished 12th in the 2000 State Class "AA" Tournament. Amy finished 9th at the 2000 Women's State Amateur Championship.
Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I enjoyed playing great golf courses such as Minneapolis Golf Club, Northland Country Club, Oak Ridge Country Club, etc. It has been fun meeting junior golfers from throughout the state." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I would recommend the PGA Jr. Tour and the PGA Jr. Players' Tour because it gives one the opportunity to play great golf courses throughout the state and a chance to compete under pressure." Additional Activities/Hobbies: Besides playing golf, Amy enjoys rollerblading, shopping and listening to music. Amy is treasurer of the National Honor Society. | |
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Katie Detlefsen Age 12 Eagan, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
As an 11 year-old, Katie played in 4 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Junior Tour events, and she finished 1st in her age group in each event.
She placed first in both the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association 11 & Under Mid-Summer Classic and 2000 11 & Under Junior Championship. Katie also won the 1999 11 & Under Mid-Summer Classic; she placed 2nd in the 1999 Maxfli Minnesota PGA Junior Championship 11 & Under Division; and she placed 2nd at the 1999 11 & Under Junior Championship. In 1998, Katie won the Maxfli Minnesota PGA Junior Championship 11 & Under Division. Katie is the Junior Club Champion for girls at Cannon GC. Katie writes: "During my time as a junior golfer, I've enjoyed traveling to many different courses, sometimes even out of the state."
Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "My most memorable experience was one of my first major wins. I had to make a 20 foot long putt to win a playoff. I concentrated only on my putt and sank it to win the tournament." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I think that the most important thing that junior golfers can do is work on their short game. As young golfers, it will take a little while for muscles to develop for the long ball, but everyone can work on the short game." Additional Activities/Hobbies: Other than golf, Katie likes to play basketball, dance, read, play saxophone and go fishing. | |
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Jake Pearson Age 18 Cambridge, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Jake was a member of the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Tour. He finished 6th on the Minnesota PGA Player of the Year
Points list. Jake finished 4th at the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions with a score of 39-72=111. He placed 19th at the MGA State Junior Championship, and he played in the AJGA event at the Preserve GC in Nisswa last August. In high school, Jake placed 14th at the Class AA State Tournament in 2000; he was the North Suburban Conference Champion in 2000; and he has been selected All-Conference 3 times. He also is a 4-time letter winner, and 3-time Team Captain. Jake is the Junior Golf Champion at Purple Hawk CC (1998, 2000) and TPC of the Twin Cities (2000).
Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "When I was playing a Players' Tour event at the Preserve in Nisswa, my car died in Brainerd before the tournament so I was about 20 minutes late and had to take a 2 stroke penalty." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Don't overdo it on the range. Never give up on a round, every stroke counts. Play in as many competitive tournaments as you can." Additional Activites/Hobbies: When not golfing, Jake enjoys playing basketball and Ping-Pong, watching sports on TV, trying to locate Trent Tucker, and hanging out with girls. | |
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Mitch Olinger Age 14 Mankato, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Mitch played in eight Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Junior Tour tournaments in the summer of 2000 and placed 1st in his age group in six of them. He placed second and third in the other two.
Mitch's Junior Tour Scoring Average for the 2000 was 78.4. As an eighth grader, he played varsity golf for the Mankato East Senior High School team and lettered. In addition, he was a MGA team member of the Mankato Golf Club in 2000 and the team went to the MGA State Junior Championship.
Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "Winning my first tournament when I was 12 at the New Ulm CC, shooting 83." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I would say you should play with kids that are older and better than you so they can teach you some of the different shots. They inspire you to play better. Also, take time to work on your short game-it is where the strokes add up quick!" Additional Activities/Hobbies: Mitch enjoys playing basketball, football, and hanging out with his friends. | |
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Joe Seltz Age 18 Alexandria, ND | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Joe was a member of the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Tour. He won the North Oaks GC Player's Tour event by 5 shots, shooting a 73. He also placed 2nd at the Majestic
Oaks Players' Tour event. Joe was a semi-finalist in the Championship flight at the Alexandria Resorter's Tournament. He shot the low round (70) on the final day of the AJGA Tournament at the Preserve GC in Nisswa, which won him the Oreo Trophy. Joe was the medallist in his High School Regions Tournament, which enabled him to advance to the State Meet
Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "At (the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions) Izaty's, I was at or near the lead until the final hole where I hit 3 balls in the water and made 10, that was memorable!" What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Enjoy the game at your pace. I see some guys who feel the pressure from parents and others. It's just a game!" Additional Activities/Hobbies: Joe enjoys hockey and fishing | |
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Johnny Greene Age 11 Apple Valley, MN | |
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Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:
Johnny is the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Boys' 11 & Under Champion. He shot a 39 at Lafayette Club and won a 5-way sudden death playoff to claim the title. Johnny also placed
third at the Minnesota PGA Section Junior Championship at Stonebrooke GC. In 8 total 11& Under Minnesota PGA Junior Tour events, Johnny's average finish was 3.4 as a 10 year-old. Other highlights in 2000 include: winning The Golf Channel's Drive, Chip and Putt Jr. Golf Skills Competition in Sioux City, IA; first at the U.S. Kids Minnesota National Qualifier; winning the 10 & Under AAU Junior Tour Championship and AAU Junior and Senior Points Championships; and placing fifth in the AAU National Championship in Winston-Salem, NC. Johnny states: "I would have to say that getting my first Hole-In-One at the 1999 Junior World Championship in San Diego was my most exciting highlight."
Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I was on the 2nd hole of a 5-way playoff during 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Boys' 11 & Under Championship. My first shot went way right, down a hill below the green. I then hit a low 7 iron into the side of the hill to stay under the trees and the ball stopped across the green on the fringe. I chipped the ball within 5 feet and sunk the putt to win." What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "In the winter, try to practice at domes, simulators or heated driving ranges to keep your muscles strong. I also think a pre-shot routine is very important for being consistent anytime you play golf." Additional Activities/Hobbies: Johnny is on the math team, is a school patrol and plays trumpet in the 5th Grade Band at Highland Elementary in Apple Valley. He participates in Eastview Athletic Association football and basketball. He also enjoys skiing, playing the piano, listening to music and hanging out with his friends. | |
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