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Player Profile ArchivesWednesday, March 10, 2010
September/October 2001
  Chris Cole     Age 16     New London, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Chris won the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship in the boys' division, and participated in the National Westfield Junior PGA Championship in Ohio. To qualify, he shot 75- 71-146 at The Preserve at Grandview Lodge and Deacon's Lodge. At the National Championship, Chris finished in a tie for 43rd place, shooting scores of 80-80-84-78-322. Chris was a member of the 2001 Minnesota Team for the Minnesota/Wisconsin Cup Matches. He won the 2000 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Junior Tour Scoring Average Award with an 18-hole average of 72.6. He was the 1998 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Player of the Year for the Boys' 12-13 division. Chris owned the lowest 9-hole scoring average (36.2) in high school conference as a seventh grader. He competed in the Minnesota State High School Class A Golf Tournament as a seventh, eighth and ninth grader.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I posted my first competitive round in the 60s at Sauk Centre GC. I shot a back-nine 33 en route to a 71 at Deacon's Lodge, which led to a first-place finish at the Westfield Junior PGA Championship State Qualifier. Participating at the National level in Ohio was a treat as well."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "When you're playing bad you need to work twice as hard practicing to get your game back. A big part of golf is confidence, and if you don't have that, you're not going to play to the best of your ability."
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Chris enjoys playing basketball, driving around, working, hanging out with friends and girlfriend, and baking cookies.
 
  Matt Thelen     Age 11      Shakopee, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: 2001 was Matt's first year of golf competition. He won the 2001 Minnesota Westfield PGA Junior Championship for ages 12 and Under at Waters Edge at Stonebrooke with a four-over par 34. This was Matt's first tournament. Matt also was a member of the Minnesota PGA Junior Tour for ages 11 and Under, and he won his only tour event, at Havanna Hills GC. Matt played on the 12 & Under AAU Junior Tour, winning the season points trophy. He placed 4th in the State AAU meet at Manitou Ridge, qualifying for nationals in Des Moines, IA, where he placed 15th nationally.
     Most memorable experience(s) occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "One that comes to mind was in Owatonna at Havanna Hills GC. On a short par three, I hit a lob wedge to two feet on my first shot. I then putted in for birdie."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I think a good tip is when you're hitting on the range, don't just hit to hit. Aim at something like a sign or an object so you can practice distance and direction. Also, be willing to take advice from people and see if it works."
     Additional Activites/Hobbies: When not doing golf-related activities, Matt likes to play hockey, go fishing, snowmobiling and hunting. Continuously being on the "A" Honor Roll earned him the All-Academic Award.
 
  Bryan Stovern     Age 17     Duluth, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Bryan finished second overall in the boys' division at the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship. He shot scores of 71-78 at The Preserve at Grandview Lodge and Deacon's Lodge. Bryan also was a member of the 2001 Minnesota PGA Junior Tour. He placed first in 2 tournaments along with 4-second place finishes. He led the Northland CC MGA team to a State Tournament by shooting a 74 (2nd place) at Regions. Bryan, a junior to be at Duluth East High School, is a three-year letterman, and he played in the 2000 Minnesota State High School Class AA Golf Tournament. In addition, Bryan has been medalist in 3 separate High School Tournaments.
     Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "My most memorable experience was placing 2nd in the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship. My first round score of 71 was the first under-par round I have had in tournament play. The courses were unbelievable and the level of competition was unlike any other I have experienced."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Some advice that I have taken that helps my game is to trust your swing and to play as much as you can. The most important thing to do is to enjoy the game."
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Bryan plays hockey for Duluth East and enjoys participating in many school activities.
 
  Derek Bauer     Age 15     Inver Grove Hts., MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Derek placed first in the boys' 13-15 division at the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship. He shot 78-76 at The Preserve at Grandview Lodge and Deacon's Lodge. Derek also was a member of Series "A" in the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Tour. He played in three events, and his best finish was second place at Edina CC. Derek participated in the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions. He also qualified for the Inaugural Players' Tour Match Play Championship at the Links at Northfork Qualifier. In the Championship, he made it to the quarterfinal matches. Derek made it to the Minnesota State High School Class AA Golf Tournament as a freshman at Eagan High School, and he was named "Rookie of the Year" on the varsity golf team in 2001.
     Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "Winning the national qualifier for my age group (13-15) at The Preserve (Grandview Lodge) and Deacon's Lodge, with scores of 78-76."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Develop and stay involved with other activities to keep yourself well-rounded and prevent getting burned-out by playing too much golf."
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Derek enjoys playing basketball, hunting, fishing, and working at the golf course.
 
  Anna Stocker     Age 17     Duluth, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Anna is the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship Girls' Champion for ages 13-17. She shot 81-78 for a two-day total of 159 at the Preserve at Grandview Lodge and Deacon's Lodge to earn the right to represent the Minnesota Section at the National Westfield Junior PGA Championship in Westfield Center, Ohio. She tied for 28th place overall, with scores of 77-81-83-87-328. Anna also was a member of Series "C" in the 2001 Player's Tour. She placed first at The Classic @ Madden's and she placed second in two other events. Her win earned her a right to participate in the 2001 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions. Anna won three events on the 2001 Junior Tour, and she participated in the Players' Cup in 2000 and 2001. Anna has been All-Conference for the past three years, and All-State the past two years, including a 7th place finish in the Minnesota State High School Class AA Golf Tournament. Anna won both the Northland CC Women's and Junior Club Championship in 2001. She is also the captain of her high school golf team.
     Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I'm going to talk about the Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship. Going into the 18th hole in the 2nd day I was 2 up. Then I got on the green, within 6 feet, and was putting for a bogey. Unfortunately, my opponent chipped in for birdie so I had to make my putt. I've never had so much weighing on just one little putt. Luckily, I made the putt, and went into a one-hole playoff, where I won. Winning this playoff meant advancing to nationals in Ohio. This was my most important tournament, and my biggest win, and I owe it all to a 6 foot putt."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I think a lot of junior golfers take the fun out of the game and put too much pressure on themselves. Just remember, no one sets your expectations but yourself, so relax and don't be so hard on yourself!"
     Additional Activites/Hobbies: Anna participates in varsity basketball, varsity cross country, athletic council, big brother big sister leadership team and the yearbook.
 
  Juliet Ramstad     Age 12     St. Cloud, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Juliet is the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Girls' 12 and Under Champion. She shot a 48 at Waters Edge at Stonebrooke to claim the title. Juliet also lists getting an eagle on a par 4, 228-yard hole as a highlight. She played her dad in bingo bango bongo and beat him by 4 points in an 18-hole match. She played 18 holes in Las Vegas, NV. She also played a round without losing any golf balls.
     Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "I made a new friend, Jessica Johnson. Also, playing with people my own age. Someone almost got a hole in one."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Have fun, don't worry. Every hole is a new hole, if you screw up don't worry. Take a practice swing before hitting the ball. Practice makes perfect."
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Juliet enjoys playing soccer, talking on the phone, hanging out with her friends, biking, going on the computer, and playing with her dog.
 
  Amanda Paa     Age 17     New Ulm, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Amanda tied for first place at the Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship, only to lose a one-hole playoff. Amanda qualified for the 53rd U.S. Junior Girls Championship in Mission Hills, KS. In her first Minnesota Women's State Amateur, she finished 15th in the Championship Flight. Amanda was the South Central Conference Champion; she placed second in the Region 2AA tournament, and 12th in the Minnesota State High School Class AA Golf Tournament. Amanda was selected to the State High School Coaches Association All-State Team for scoring average (77.5). To finish her season, Amanda won the New Ulm CC Women's Club Championship, and participated in the Minnesota Golf Association's Minnesota/Manitoba Cup Matches.
     Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: "At the Westfield Junior PGA Section Championship, going into the 18th hole, I was down by 2 strokes after 35 holes, to go to the national championship in Ohio. I chipped in for a birdie (4) to force an exciting playoff."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "I would recommend finding a good teaching professional, one who is an accomplished player himself, to further one's development. It makes a difference when your teacher can relate to what it is like to compet at a high level. (Thanks, Mike!) *Always remember that no matter what you do in golf, people will more often remember you as a person, not your game."
     Additional Activities/Hobbies:
Besides golf, Amanda plays varsity volleyball (All-Conference 2000) and basketball. She is a Highest Honors Student and a National Honor Society Member. Amanda likes playing many sports and spending time with her family and friends.
 
  Lauren Huhnerkoch     Age 15     Burnsville, MN
       Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Lauren placed first in the girls' 13-15 age division at the 2001 Minnesota Westfield Junior PGA Championship, with scores of 82-87. She also was a member of Series "B" in the Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Players' Tour, and she finished second in two events. Lauren competed on the Burnsville High School girls' golf team for the third year in a row, and she won the Lake Conference individual Title with a 73, winning by 7 strokes and helping the team win it's 6th consecutive team title. She finished second in the 2001 Junior Olympics in Virginia Beach, VA, and she won the 2000 14 and Under National AAU Tournament. Other highlights include winning the Minnesota State High School Class AA Team Title as an 8th grader, and getting a hole-in-one in a tournament.
     Most memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Lauren lists, "shooting a 74 at Montgomery GC, meeting and learning from some of the top girls in the state. Also, making friends with girls from all over the state and seeing them in tournaments during the high school season. Winning the 13-15 age group at the Westfield PGA Tournament was another memorable experience."
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? "Take time to work on each part of your game when you're practicing. When you are in a match, only focus on your game, don't worry about the people you are playing against and how they are playing."
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Lauren is a member of the 2001 Golf School of Excellence at the U of M. She is active in her church youth group, and is on the "A" Honor Roll. She enjoys hanging out with friends and SHOPPING.

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