AJGA opens its season in Palmer

The Alaska Junior Golf Association (AJGA) kicked off its season with a day-long tournament at the Palmer Golf Course on Monday.

Fifty-two junior golfers, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old, played either nine or 18 holes under less than favorable weather conditions. The younger participants (12 and under) played nine, the older (13 and over) played 18.

Although the weekend had been warm and sunny, and a few players said they had enjoyed a day-before game, the day of the tournament was wet.

But it didn't discourage the youngsters, some of whom draped towels over their heads to keep the rain off.

Zachary Lelevier-Joseph shot 79 and took home the trophy in the boys' 15-17 age group. Par for the course is 72. And Derek Johnston, with a score of 82, won in the boys' 13-14 year-old group. In the girls' 14-17 category, Kristal Larios took top spot with a 92.

AJGA board member Mindy Stefanski said adults are often amazed at the scores with which these youngsters can finish, as well as the way they conduct themselves on the course.

The AJGA requires members to follow strict rules of golf etiquette and dress accordingly.

Forty-eight boys and four girls played. Tournament director Taz Johnson said the association has always had many more boys than girls, and the organization's volunteers, while hoping to recruit more members all the time, keep their eyes open for golfers who are girls.

The association, which encompasses Juneau, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula and the Mat-Su Valley, is 86 members strong.

The season runs from June to August. There are usually six regular season tournaments, followed by the State Junior Amateur Tournament, the Key Bank Junior Masters, and a couple of fun tourneys near the end of the season.

The next tournament will be at Settlers Bay Golf Course on Monday.

Last season, Palmer's own Rhowe Stefanski won the state amateur tourney in the age 9 and under category, and was voted player of the year with a total of 600 points.

Players accumulate points, as well as trophies, by placing first, second or third in tournaments. Last year Rhowe placed in just about every event he entered.

In the off season, Rhowe turned 10, which means he graduated from the 9 and under age group (which is the only group that's coed) to the 10-12 group. He's no longer the oldest, but the youngest boy in his competition category.

At Monday's tournament, Rhowe placed fourth. He finished with a 47, one stroke behind Greg Fisher. It would have been a tie but for a penalty stroke on the third hole.

"He inadvertently moved the ball with his foot on the green," said Rhowe's mother, Mindy Stefanski.

Had there been a tie, officials would have looked three holes back to see who had the best score. If it was still tied, they would look back six holes.

Along with growing out of the youngest age group, Rhowe grew out of his clubs this year. He has new woods, but so far is holding on to his old irons.

On the seventh, his new woods seemed to be working well for him. He was on the fairway, just this side of a hill on a dog-leg left, and hit onto the green.

"He hit his three-wood pure," Mindy Stefanski said. "When he connects, he can out-drive me."

And that's no small matter. Mindy Stefanski has four state amateur titles under her belt.

The AJGA is run by many volunteers. Players are required to pay $20 to participate in each tourney, which includes a lunch and a possible trophy.

AJGA president John Gose, who got the scheduled tournament system rolling in 1994, said this may be his last season as head of the association.

"It's a lot of work," he said. "I want my summers back."

He said he's trying to edge his way out, and after next year's preseason meeting there may be a new president.

The 2001 AGJA Tour schedule is as follows:

• June 18, Settlers Bay Golf Course

• June 25, Moose Run Golf Course

• July 9, Anchorage Golf Course

• July 16&17, Eagleglen Golf Course

• July 23&24, Alaska State Junior Championships, Anchorage Golf Course

• August 6&7, Key Bank Junior Masters, Moose Run Golf Course.

Tourney winners are as follows:

Age 9 and under — 1) Chris Harrington, 47; 2) Trent Sanders, 51; 3) James Denkworth, 51. Girls age 10-12 — 1) Brittany Bomer, 53; 2) Afton Price-Hofeidt, 60. Boys age 10-12 — 1) Chad Kim, 41; 2) Kyler Johnson, 42; 3) Greg Fisher, 46. Boys age 13-14 — 1) Derek Johnson, 82; 2) Brennan Jackson, 83; 3) Eun Jin Kim, 83. Girls age 14-17 — 1) Kristal Larios, 92; 2) Katey Jurgenson, 97. Boys age 15-17 — 1) Zachary Lelevier-Joseph, 79; 2) Matt Matarrese, 80; 3) Nick Horn, 81.