Spring 2007 Junior Golfer Profiles - Minnesota Junior Golf

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Caroline played on the Beginners' Tour when she was 8 and won all of the tournaments she entered except one because she was often the only player. In 2006, the numbers increased but she was still able to win a few Transition Tour events. The highlight of her summer was winning the Beginners' Tour Championship for 8-9 year old girls at the Lafayette Club.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: I found a pink Lady Precept, my favorite ball, in the swamp on hole 7 at Lafayette Club.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Learn to play a full-length course by teeing off at the 150-yard marker and play the hole from there. I beat my dad a lot that way!
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: She also plays basketball and soccer, piano and clarinet and likes to read, knit and do crafts.

Favorite Professional Golfer: Paula Creamer
Favorite Food: Enchiladas
Favorite Music: Classical
Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap
Favorite T.V. Show: Golf Channel

Brittany Herzog Age 17 Red Wing, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Brittany took second place at the 2006 Players' Cup for ages 16-18 at Victory Links GC. She won four Junior Tour events and had five birdies in one tournament round last summer. She shot a one-under par 35 at the Jewel during a high school meet and took All-Conference honors last spring.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Meeting new people and the opportunity to play new courses.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Spend more time on your short game. Play golf because you enjoy it, not because it is a job.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Brittany is the football manager, participates in Youth Group and is a Bible Study leader. She works at Braschlers Bakery and the YMCA. She also plays keyboard.

Favorite Professional Golfer: Phil Mickelson
Favorite Food: Buffalo Wings
Favorite T.V. Show: American Idol

Katie Bolling Age 17 New Brighton, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Katie finished in 8th place at the 2006 Minnesota Junior Girls' State Championship. This past summer she shot a 77 and took 5th place at the Players' Cup ages 16-18 and finished third in the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions. Katie was selected to play with the pros in the 3M Championship Junior Pro-Am at the TPC Twin Cities. She has played the #1 position on her high school varsity golf team since eighth grade. In 2006, Katie had the lowest scoring average in the North Suburban Conference, won the Conference Championship with a low round of 76, finished second at Sections with another 76 and placed 17th at the State Class &AA' Tournament with a total score of 169. She was also selected for the 2006 All-State Team.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: My most memorable experience that occurred with participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior event was qualifying for the Tournament of Champions. I knew in order to advance to the Tournament of Champions I would have to come in first place at the last Players' Tour Tournament and I did. I shot a 75 at The Jewel with three birdies on the back nine. I also did well at the Tournament of Champions by coming in third place with a two-day total of 161.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? It is very important to work on your short game. Ideally, you want to spend ž of your time practicing your short game. Also, play against players who are better than you because it is good competition. You can learn a lot from them and you may even beat them.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Katie's extracurricular activities include the National Honor Society, Student Activities Leader and mentor for the freshman class. She also volunteers at Unity Hospital, tutors a fifth grade student and plays the piano at retirement centers. Katie likes to spend time with her friends either at sporting events, watching movies, dinner clubs and going shopping.

Favorite Professional Golfer: Lorena Ochoa
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Music: The Fray
Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada
Favorite T.V. Show: Grey's Anatomy

Sierra Langlie Age 11 Andover, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Sierra took 1st place at the 2006 Beginners' Tour Championship in the girls 10-12 age division. She also played in the US Kids World Championship and took 3rd place in the Long Drivers of America for girls ages 10-12. In 2005 she won the Beginners' Tour Championship in the 8-9 division and took 1st place in the Long Drivers of America for girls 8-9.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: During a tournament at the National Youth Golf Center in Blaine, I made a 30-foot putt. That was awesome!
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? If you don't do well on a hole or shot, shake it off, smile and think positive about your next shot.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Sierra likes to play hockey. She plays for U10A Andover Huskies (2003-07) and they were the 2006 District Champions; MN Selects (2006-07); Midwest Selects (2006); Elite Classic (2007) and AAA MN Jr. Gophers (2007).

Favorite Professional Golfer: Payne Stewart
Favorite Food: Macaroni and cheese and ice cream
Favorite Music: Pop; Justin Timberlake
Favorite Movie: National Treasure
Favorite T.V. Show: Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

Maxton Kelly Age 12 Forest Lake, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: In 2006 he took second place at the Westfield Junior MN PGA 12 and Under Championship and also at the Transition Tour Championship for ages 10-12. Maxton won the 2005 US Kids MN Sate Championship for boys age ten years old. At the 2005 Transition Tour Championship he took fourth place in the boys 10-12 age division. Maxton won the 2003 Beginners' Tour Championship for ages 8-9. A big highlight in 2006 was playing The Falls, Reflection Bay and the TPC Canyons.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: While playing the Westfield 12 and Under Championship I had to wait for the green to clear on a 245-yard par 4. I drove the green and just missed the eagle putt. The 3-hole playoff was exciting, it was great golf!
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Practice Practice Practice. Keep trying to beat your older brother and sister.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Snowboarding and Pee Wee B Hockey.

Favorite Professional Golfer: The Big Easy Ernie Els
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite Music: This is the Way I Live Baby Boy Da Prince
Favorite Movie: Gridiron Gang
Favorite T.V. Show: Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Parker Reddig Age 7 Minneapolis, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Parker won the 2006 Beginners' Tour Championship for ages 8-9. He participated in the Golf Channels Drive, Chip and Putt Championship and took first place in the Regional and 12th place in the National Championship in Orlando, FL. He also won the US Kids MN State Championship for boys age seven years old and took 11th place at the US Kids World Championships. Parker has played in the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championship for the past three years taking fifth place, fourth place and second place. His biggest accomplishment occurred in June of 2005 at the age of six when he scored two hole-in-ones just ten days apart.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: My most memorable experience so far has been winning three events in a row. The last one was the 8-9 year old Beginners' Tour Championship at the Lafayette Club.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Try to be patient with every shot. Don't let the bad shots take over your whole game. If you make a bad shot work then work on making the next shot that much better. Practice makes perfect!
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: In the summer he likes to play baseball and soccer. In the winter Parker enjoys snowboarding and playing video games.

Favorite Professional Golfer: Tiger Woods
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Music: Rock U2
Favorite Movie: Star Wars movies
Favorite T.V. Show: American Idol / Spongebob Squarepants

Thomas Williams Age 17 Saint Paul, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Thomas was the runner-up at the 2006 Players' Tour Tournament of Championship shooting a 69 in the final round. He placed tied for 31st out of a field of 102 in his first AJGA event at the Coca-Cola Classic with scores of 78-79-73. Also, he placed in the top 10 in the AJGA Qualifier with a 69-80 at the Ashworth. Has been a Varsity member of the Cretin-Derham Hall golf team as a freshman and sophomore and qualified for the Minnesota State Class &AA& Tournament as a freshman.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: I specifically remember the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions last year. I came to Cragun's feeling well prepared because I'd been playing well prior to the tournament, but playing well at your home course is very different from playing well in a tournament. The first day, I struck the ball fairly well, but couldn't put it together on the scoreboard. The second day, I came to the course envisioning a 64 or something really low just to prove that I had it in me. Even after bogeying the first two holes of the tournament, I was able to turn it around. When I made a 10-fooot putt for birdie on the 18th to card a 69, I felt tremendously gratified. It was a great experience.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? In the end, everything boils down to who works the hardest and the smartest. If you make a committed effort to improve a little everyday, you may get to enjoy some awesome long-term results.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Thomas plays high school hockey at Cretin-Derham Hall and is a member of the Student Council. He enjoys playing piano and especially likes playing music by Billy Joel, Elton John and Bruce Hornsby.

Favorite Professional Golfer: Tiger Woods
Favorite Food: Cossetta's Mastacholli
Favorite Music: Elton John Piano
Favorite Movie: It's A Wonderful Life
Favorite T.V. Show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Peter Weidner Age 17 Edina, MN

     Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments: Peter made it to the final four in the 2006 Players' Tour Match Play Championship at Dacotah Ridge. He also participated in AAU Nationals and placed in the top 8 at the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier. He was a member of the 2006 State MGA Team Champions from Braemar GC and played in an AJGA Tournament in Lake Havasu, AZ. Peter has lettered as a member of the Varsity Golf team at Edina High School in 9th and 10th grade.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Playing in a national AJGA tournament at Lake Havasu was my first true experience in competition at a national level, and thus is my most memorable experience. I particularly remember the &keep pace& cards that the AJGA used to assess each groups position to a predetermined &time par&. This was stressful at first, but was easy to get used to. As with any tournament, I met a lot of interesting people from a variety of areas, including California, Arizona, and New York. Another memorable experience that I had was my participation in the 2006 Player's Tour Match Play Championship. The unusual style of this tournament definitely brought out my best play and required me to use much more mental focus than a regular stroke play event. Also, the format allowed for a lot of excitement and turning points in my matches, teaching me that the round really isn't over until the last putt is made. I learned a lot from this tournament because I got to the final four and was exposed to the intense pressure of competition. As with anything in life, experience is very important in golf, and I definitely gained invaluable experience from this tournament.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Without a doubt improvements in the short game are the quickest way to improve any golfer's score, regardless of their skill. Because of this, my advice to juniors is to spend as much time as possible chipping, putting, hitting bunker shots, and working on pitch shots from 30 to 80 yards. An excellent way to improve the short game aspects of a golfer's game is to partake in small forms of competition, such as games among friends. For more short game tips I strongly recommend reading Dave Pelz's &Short Game Bible&. The next best way to improve a golfer's score is to work on the mental side of the game. My first piece of advice for the mental side of the game is to treat every shot with as much awareness (even practice shots) as the most important shot of a golfer's career. A major element of golf is consistency, and a consistent pre-shot ritual breeds this desired consistency. If the importance of the mental game isn't clear, I strongly recommend reading &Golf is not a Game of Perfect&. Lastly, the most important tip in golf is to have fun and enjoy playing a life-long sport.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: In addition to playing Varsity Golf for Edina High School, Peter is also a member of the school band playing the trumpet. His other interests include basketball, football and ping-pong.

Favorite Professional Golfer: Chris DiMarco
Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese / Chipotle
Favorite Music: Rock and Jazz
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite T.V. Show: The Office

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