Minnesota Junior Golf

Sarah is one of the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. On the Junior Tour in 2002 she placed 1st at Oak Summit, 2nd at Northern Hills and 3rd place at Eastwood. She was the Optimist International Junior Golf regional champion and national qualifier in 2002. This past summer she also placed 2nd in the Rochester All-City Women's Championship flight. She placed 4th at the 2002 Minnesota State High School "AA" Tournament and 3rd place at the Section 1AA Championship. She has been named All-Conference the past two years.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Shooting my low round of 77 at the Northern Hills GC during the summer of 2002. Also carding a 109 at my very first Junior PGA event at the Oaks GC in 1999 and winning a Junior PGA event in the 100° heat at Oak Summit GC in 2002.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Make the game fun and bring some friends along. Make up your own games for practicing the different components of your golf game. Respect the course and you'll find that it will treat you well in return. Keep swinging even through the winter months!
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Sarah enjoys tennis, cross country running, alpine skiing, piano and participating in chess club. She is also a delegate to the Model United Nations at the University of Chicago, senior class president, a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the First Presbyterian Youth Group.

Kelli Berns Age 17 South Haven, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Kelli finished 2nd in the 2002 Minnesota Junior Golf Association Players' Tour Series "B". She also played in the 2002 Westfield Junior Minnesota Championship and placed 8th in the girls 16-17 division. At the 2002 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions she took 8th place. She ended the 2002 season with a 10th place finish at the PGA Junior Series at Chaska Town Course. She has played on the Annandale varsity girls golf team since 8th grade and was named MVP, all-state and all-conference the past two years.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Shooting my all-time low tournament score of 75 at Moorhead CC for a 1st place Players' Tour finish. Also going back to Izaty's after a disappointing finish at the Minnesota State High School "A" Tournament and playing the course for the Tournament of Champions and taking 14 strokes off my two-day total.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Never, ever give up! Even when you are in a slump because good thing will happen when you work hard.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Kelli participates in many activities at school including playing the saxophone for Concert and Jazz Band, being the captain of the Mock Trial team, and a member of the National Honor Society. She is also in the Academic Top Ten of her class. Outside of school she is involved in her Church Youth Group, works part-time and likes to work out at the gym. She also enjoys going to the lake, skating, boating, jet skiing and wakeboarding.

Krista Swanson Age 17 Forest Lake, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Krista was the 2002 Player of the Year for the Minnesota Junior Golf Association. She was also the Series "A" Champion and took 1st place at the 2002 Players' Tour Match Play Championship. She took 3rd place at the 2002 Players' Tour Tournament of Champions and 3rd place at the 2002 PGA Jr. Series at Chaska Town Course. Krista was a member of the 2002 MN team for the MN/WI PGA Junior Cup Matches and the MGA MN/Manitoba Jr. Cup Matches. From 1996-1999 Krista was Player of the Year in her age division for the Minnesota Junior Golf Association's Junior Tour. Krista also took 3rd place at the 2002 Minnesota State High School "AA" Tournament.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: I will always remember the 2002 MN/WI PGA Junior Cup Matches. For the first time, Minnesota won the cup and Bob Bush was thrown into the lake! I had so much fun playing with the entire team and especially with my partner Katie Myos!
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Whether you are practicing or in a tournament, always remember to stay focused and have a positive attitude. Never give up!
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Krista participates in the National Honor Society and the Student Council. She enjoys playing the piano and clarinet. Krista also likes photography, shopping, working out and going to movies with friends.

Kassandra Wells Age 17 Rochester, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Kassandra is one of the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. She placed 4th in the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association's Players' Tour Series "C". At the 2002 Players' Tour Match Play Championship she made it to the semi-final round. She has participated in the Players' Tour for the past two years and has tied for low round at two Players' Tour events. On the Junior Tour in 2000 she held the 4th best scoring average in the 13-15 age division.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: My most memorable experience at a Minnesota PGA Junior event was the second match of the 2002 Players' Tour Match Play Championship. After a rain delay we went back out on the course and I was already one down after the first hole. I managed to regain the lead and by the time we got the 13th hole the sun was setting. Darkness was setting in and by the time I was hitting my chip shot by the green it was hard to see the pin. I hit the chip and to my surprise I not only put it on the green but in the hole. Unfortunately after that shot it was to dark to continue so we had to wait until the next morning to finish.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? There are two pieces of advice that I have to offer. The first would be that in the winter when you usually can't get out on a course, find somewhere indoors that you could hit golf balls. My second piece of advice would be to work on your short game. Even if you can't hit the ball as far as other players, a good short game can help save strokes and take some pressure off of your approach shots and long iron game.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: In addition to playing golf Kassandra enjoys drawing, reading, writing and playing the piano. When she is not busy with school and other activities she likes to hang out with her friends and family.

Eric Johnson Age 19 Elk River, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Eric was the 2002 Player of the Year for the Minnesota Junior Golf Association. He finished 2nd in Series "C" of the Players' Tour and was champion of the 2002 Players' Tour Match Play Championship. Eric also took 3rd place at the Players' Tour Tournament of Champions in 2002. He had been a member of the Elk River High School varsity team for four years and place 2nd in all-conference standings his senior year.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: In the semi-final match of the 2002 Match Play Championship I chipped in for birdie on the 19th hole to extend the match which I eventually won on the 21st hole.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Practice as often as possible, especially the short game. A good short game can turn a bad round into a halfway decent one. It doesn't matter where you are on the course, only what your score is, so don't ever quit because every stroke counts.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Eric likes playing just about every sport for fun with friends. He likes music, playing guitar, piano and generating music on computers. He also enjoys watching movies and reading books.

Chris Adams Age 18 Freeborn, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Chris is one of the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. He has participated in the Junior Tour for the past three years and played in the Players' Tour in 2001. He helped his team become the defending two-time Sub-Section Champions and Section Champions in 2002. Chris also competed in the 2002 Minnesota State High School "A" Tournament.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: My first year of Junior PGA competition I was placed in the oldest age bracket, because my birthday fell on exactly the cut off date. In the last tournament of the year I shot a 34 on my second nine at Faribault's Golf at the Legacy to win and go on to compete at the Player's Cup.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Spend as much time on or around the practice green as you do out on the course. 100 yards and in is where you can pick up the most strokes.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Chris participates in many activities including National Honor Society, Kids for a Cure (Cancer), Math League, Band and the Renaissance Executive Committee. He enjoys playing football, wrestling and weightlifting.

Mike McStott Age 18 Maple Grove, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Mike is one of the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. In 2002 he tied for 3rd and was the 1st alternate at the U.S. Junior Amateur Sectional Qualifier at the University GC. He also finished in 6th place at the 2002 Junior Olympics in Virginia. Mike was named Captain of the Osseo golf team as a Junior and Senior. He was named all-conference as both a Sophmore and Junior and qualified for the Minnesota State High School "AA" Tournament both years.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: Shooting a 70 at Eagle's Trace and winning by one shot over two of my close friends.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Short game is the key to success. I never hit the ball that far, but I would make pars because I could chip and putt.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Mike enjoys playing hockey and football. He also likes to hunt, play cards and watch football.

Luke McMahon Age 17 Crystal, MN

Junior Golf Highlights/Accomplishments:

Mike is one of the 2002 Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association Scholarship recipients. On the Junior Tour in 2002 he took 1st place in the 16-18 age group and was overall medallist at Fox Hollow. Mike is also a member of the Varsity Golf team at Armstrong High School.
     Most Memorable experience(s) that occurred while participating in a Minnesota PGA Junior Event: When I tied for the overall medallist at Fox Hollow and it went to a playoff and I got up and down to win.
     What are some tips/advice that you would recommend to other juniors to help them with their game? Stay in the present and don't try to think ahead or look back. Think only on the shot/situation that you face at the moment.
     Additional Activities/Hobbies: Mike is involved in many activities including Captain of the Swim team, Cross Country Running, National Honor Society, Target Leadership and being a Peer Minister in his Church Youth Group. He also enjoys playing Tiger Woods 2003 on Playstation 2.

Questions or comments? info@minnesotajuniorgolf.com