Duluth PGA Jr League All-Stars Advance To Regional In Florida

DULUTH, GA — An all-star team of junior golfers, ages 13 and under from Duluth, is competing in a PGA Jr. League Regional presented by National Car Rental at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., this weekend, Sept. 22-23. The winner will advance to the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental Nov. 16-19 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The TPC Sugarloaf All-Stars captured the Georgia PGA Section Championship presented by National Car Rental at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Aug. 11 to advance to the Regional. Last November, the TPC Sugarloaf All-Stars won the 2017 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental, also held at Grayhawk Golf Club.

• TPC Sugarloaf All-Stars (Georgia PGA Section) – All players are from TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga.
• Huntsville 1 All-Stars (Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section) – Players are from Valley Hill Country Club (Huntsville, Ala.); The Ledges of Huntsville (Huntsville, Ala.); and Canebrake Club (Athens, Ala.).
• Palm Beach County All-Stars (South Florida PGA Section) – Players are from Osprey Point Golf Course (Boca Raton, Fla.); Okeeheelee Golf Course (West Palm Beach, Fla.); and Park Ridge Golf Course (LakeWorth, Fla.).
• Orlando 2 All-Stars (North Florida PGA Section) – Players are from Marriott Golf Academy (Orlando, Fla.); Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Orlando, Fla.); and the Country Club of Orlando (Orlando, Fla.)

Following the close of the PGA Jr. League regular season (July 31), 10-player All-Star teams were formed from a combination of players in each league, based upon standings. The postseason began with the All-Star teams competing in Sectional qualifiers, followed by Section Championships hosted by all 41 PGA Sections nationwide. A total of 48 Section Champions* have now advanced to one of 12 Regionals, with the 12 Regional winners advancing to the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental.

(For more news like this, sign up for Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Duluth — or other neighborhoods. Access Patch on the go with our iPhone app or our brand new app for Android phone users.)

PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together around fun, coed team golf experiences, with expert coaching and instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals, who serve as Captains of the teams. Kids wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends, using a scramble format for competition that accommodates players of all skill levels. A record 50,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League this year, growing from 42,000 players in 2017. Accordingly, the PGA Jr. League Championship is expanding from eight teams to 12.

The PGA Jr. League Postseason presented by National Car Rental is designed to celebrate the regular recreational season held in April through July, as well as provide a fun and welcoming environment for the 20 percent of PGA Jr. League players who identify as competitive golfers. As a premium, internationally recognized brand serving the daily rental needs of frequent airport travelers worldwide and the Official Partner of PGA Jr. League, National Car Rental is committed to growing future business leaders by growing junior golf. National Car Rental helps provide fun, engaging and welcoming experiences for PGA Jr. League golfers and their families all season and postseason long.

*There are seven sections that received at large bids determined on participation from 2017 and a ratio of Players to Captains in 2017. Those sections will advance two teams to the Regional competition. Those sections are: New England, Middle Atlantic, Carolinas, Kentucky, Illinois, Gateway, and Pacific Northwest.
PGA Jr. League Regional presented by National Car Rental at World Golf Village Sept. 22-23, 2018 • World Golf Village • St. Augustine, Fla (2 World Golf Place)

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Sept. 22
9 a.m. – Tee times begin for session 1 (Slammer & Squire Golf Course Hole Nos. 10-18)
Lunch for players, Captains and Coaches in between sessions
1:15 p.m. – Tee times begin for session 2 (Slammer & Squire Golf Course Hole Nos. 10-18)

Sunday, Sept. 23
8:30 a.m. – Tee times begin for session 3 (Slammer & Squire Golf Course Hole Nos. 10-18)
Awards ceremony to follow play

2018 TPC Sugarloaf All-Stars Team Roster

Georgia PGA Section Champion

*Billy Abdow, 12, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
*Chapman Barnett, 13, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
Brennan Cozad, 13, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
*Ethan Gao, 13, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
Sara Im, 13, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
*Lucas Jinglov, 13, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga., 2017 Champion Team Member
Patmon Malcom, 11, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
Anthony Purcea, 12, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
Sahish Reddy, 10, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
Nicholas Schwendiman, 14, TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga., Player was 13 years old as of Aug. 1, 2018
Captain: Patrick McCrary, PGA, TPC Sugarloaf, Duluth, Ga.

Photo courtesy Duluth PGA Jr. League All-Star Team