Minnesota Junior Golf

Samantha won the 2003 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions and also placed second in Players' Tour Player of the Year point standings. She won the St. Cloud CC Women's Club Championship in 2003. She finished 5th in the Optimist International Tournament in Florida and was the 2003 medalist in the Central Lakes Conference averaging 77. Finished 11th place in the Minnesota State High School League "AA" Tournament as an 8th grader in 2003. She was also All-Conference, playing for Apollo High School. In 2002 she finished 22nd in the Minnesota State High School League "AA" tournament and placed 11th in the Optimist International Tournament. Samantha has won the Sartell Women's Club Championship for three straight years. In 2001 she won the AAU Nationals Tournament in Iowa.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: My most memorable experience would have to be at Izaty's Golf and Yacht Club. I played my best game there when I really wanted to be elsewhere. It is a course that brings people back because of its beauty. I also really enjoyed going to Florida.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Always have fun. If you don't have fun, you can't enjoy the game or the course. Don't get down or upset with yourself, because the next hole can be totally different.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Sam enjoys playing basketball, soccer, backyard football and swimming. She also enjoys spending time with friends, watching movies, arguing with her brother Andy, spending time on the computer, shopping and playing with her two puppies.

Kelsey Walt Age 18 Bloomington, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Kelsey is one of the 2003 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. She has been the girls Junior Golf Champion at Hazeltine National GC from 1995-1999 and 2001-2002. Kelsey has been a participant in the 2002 and 2003 Minnesota State High School League "AA" Golf Tournament. A highlight for Kelsey was working at the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine and working the leader boards and meeting the famous golfers and watching amazing golf up close and personal.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: During the summer of 2003 at Mississippi National in Red Wing, on hole 12, a par 4, I scored the first eagle of my career.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? The hardest lesson I've had to learn is course management. Golf is a game of risks and rewards… but sometimes the biggest risks do not pay off with the greatest rewards. Many times hitting the spectacular shot is not as important as putting yourself in the position to make the high percentage shot. My advice is to know your game… and manage the course to the strengths of your game.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Kelsey is the captain of the basketball, volleyball and golf teams. She is the leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a student intern, peer helper, tutor and a member of the National Honor Society.

Jessie Shin Age 17 Mankato, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Jessie is one of the 2003 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. She placed second at the U.S. Women's Amateur qualifier at Olympic Hills GC with a 75. She played at the 2003 U.S. Women's Amateur at Philadelphia CC, shooting rounds of 79-81. Jessie also played at the MN Women's State Amateur shooting rounds of 84-76-79. She also played for the victorious team Minnesota at the MN/WI Cup Matches and was part of the winning team for the MN/Manitoba Cup Matches, winning both her matches. Jessie was All-Conference and Section 2AA Champion. She went on to place 8th at the MSHSL State Tournament. Jessie received a full ride scholarship to play golf for Iowa State University and will start this coming fall.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Winning the MN/WI Cup Matches again was really fun, but the attempt to throw Bob in a water hazard again was unsuccessful.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Practice, practice, practice and don't let one bad shot ruin your composure.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Jessie is a member of the National Honor Society and is a cabinet officer of Student Council. She is an "A" honor roll student and peer tutor. In her free time she likes to watch movies, hang out with friends and shop. Besides golf, she likes to ski, play tennis and run.

Katie Mettling Age 17 Red Wing, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Katie is one of the 2003 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. Winning the Minnesota State High School League "AA" Tournament the past three years as a team. Qualifying and playing in the Optimist Tournament in West Palm Beach at the PGA Village.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Playing at Silver Bay CC in Silver Bay, MN a couple years ago there were thousands and thousands of black flies. They were everywhere - in your bag, in your shirt and shorts, and in your mouth. I remember one time looking down at my putter head and all I could see was a black mess! It was a true test of concentration!
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? No one can motivate you, until you motivate yourself. Play golf because you love the game not because someone tells you to play. Also, always focus on why you can versus why you can't. Golf is such a mental game and you have to believe in yourself if you want to be successful.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Katie is a member of the National Honor Society and the Youth in Government. She is a volunteer at a local hospital and church nursery. Katie also plays basketball and is a swimmer.

David Zeller Age 18 Anoka, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

David is one of the 2003 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. On the Junior Tour in 2002 he placed 1st at the tournament at Buffalo Heights GC. He also won two AAU/MYAS golf tournaments. In 2003, he finished in 2nd place twice on the Junior Tour at Elk River CC and Forest Hills. He was also a member of the 2003 Players' Tour.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: At Buffalo Heights in 2002, I made a 15-foot left to right par putt to finish in first place. I knew that I needed to sink it and I did.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Play in as many tournaments as possible. Nothing compares to the experience you gain from putting yourself in pressure situations in competitive tournaments.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: David is captain of the varsity golf and basketball teams at Anoka High School. Academically he has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked #1 in his class. In his spare time he likes to hang out with his friends.

Patrick Herzog Age 18 Red Wing, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Patrick is one of the 2003 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. He placed 5th at the Minnesota State High School League "AA" tournament in 2002. He was Missota Conference Player of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Patrick was named MGA Junior Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002. He is a three-time member of the MN/WI Cup Matches team and a five-time member of the Minnesota/Manitoba Cup Matches team. He won an AJGA tournament at The Pines @ Grandview Lodge in 2002 and also won the 2002 PGA Junior Series at Chaska Town Course. In 2002 Patrick won the Players' Cup for ages 16-18 and also won the Minnesota State Junior Amateur.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: I really enjoyed meeting people and playing so many of the fine courses across the state for a cheap price. It was a great experience being included in two Westfield playoffs. It was a thrill to win the one in 2000 and a humbling experience in 2002 when I lost.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Enjoy the game and respect it. In golf you are going to go through highs and lows. Every golfer needs to go through these times to learn how to win and accept losing. I have found that as a person you grow the most when you lose. It is a time to build character.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Patrick is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and Target at school. He is also involved in Youth Group at the Assembly of God Church in Red Wing. Patrick also enjoys playing basketball, he likes to run, hang out with friends and his family.

Taylor Kahnke Age 18 St. Paul, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

The most memorable accomplishment in golf is perhaps the most memorable because of its relationship to something I failed to accomplish…. I tried out for the Cretin-Derham Hall golf team two years ago as a sophomore. Standing in the fairway on the second to the last hole during the last day of tryouts, I was two shots clear of the cut line and my drive had left me with something between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge to the green. I elected to attempt to feather the pitching wedge, hit the ball in the water adjacent to the green, made a double bogey, missed a five foot par putt on the last hole and missed making the team by one shot. During the last round of tryouts this past year, I was able to put that bad memory out of my mind, and I was fortunate enough to shoot a two over par round to simultaneously make the team and position myself to play the first varsity match. That day was one of the happiest of my life. Taylor is one of the 2003 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: During the PGA Junior Tournament in Owatonna last year, I had the good fortune to be playing well and I was the leader at one over par after 13 holes. Failing to follow my teacher/father's most fundamental rule, "Think about only the next shot", I paused to consider (and enjoy) my position, and I promptly triple bogeyed the next hole from under the lip of the bunker...
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Because I have very poor eyesight and can rarely see where I hit the ball, I am of necessity a big believer in the concept of trust -trust your set up, trust your alignment…and trust your swing! Beyond that, have fun and never give up, because golf humbles everyone, and you never know when some putts might start falling.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Although it is not a hobby per se, Taylor loves all aspect of both science and people in equal proportions. He also loves basketball, inventing things, flying in airplanes, playing the guitar and engaging in good conversation.

Dan Moline Age 17 Duluth, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Dan was the 2003 Player of the Year for the Minnesota Junior Golf Association Players' Tour. He placed third at the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions in 2003. He has played in three consecutive Minnesota State High School League Tournaments and placed fourth in the past two years and in 16th place his freshmen year. Individually he won his section meet in 2003 by four shots. Dan was selected to play in the MN/WI Junior Cup Matches for 2004 and is being recruited to play college golf at the University of St. Thomas.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Winning the 2003 Junior Player of the Year after winning a three-hole playoff at the Tournament of Champions to take third place. Being selected to play in the 2004 MN/WI Junior Cup Matches.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Don't overlook the mental aspect of the game. Good preparation before shots leads to better outcomes. Don't get caught up in distractions and always have a routine you are confident with.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Dan plays varsity hockey and is the team captain. In 2004 he was named All-Lake Superior Conference and was named to the CCM All-Star Team. He also participates in the National Honor Society and enjoys weightlifting and fishing.

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