September 10th & 11th , 2016
Indian Wells Golf Resort – Celebrity & Players Courses
The 3rd Annual Corey Pavin Invitational was held at the beautiful Indian Wells Golf Resort in Palm Springs, California on September 10th-11th, 2016. This exclusive 54 hole event is a proving ground for the most elite members of the SCPGA Junior Tour. The 86-player field came prepared to handle the heat as it was forecasted to be rising into the triple digits.
Day One: September 10th, 2016
Yardage: Boys 6,805 — Girls 6,078
Course: Celebrity Course, Indian Wells Golf Resort
The morning began with the players arriving bright and early to hit the range and get a feel for the greens. Play began at 7:00AM sharp, with a split tee start of holes 1 & 10. Hitting 80 degrees by 8am, with little to no wind, the temperatures rapidly climbed into the triple digits by noon. Preparing for a tournament consists of not only getting your game together but its also getting your physical health together. Low scores and good hydration was the key to success in this years Corey Pavin. Despite the conditions, the players came out with enough ferocity to match the triple digit heat.
The Boys division saw Connor Nolan striking the ball pure with seven birdies in round one and three more in round two. Cameron Sisk took control early with an impressive five birdies for a round one 68, followed up round two with another four birdies en-route to a T-2 finish at 140. Owen Calvin-Smith battled the heat and was able to stay focused, shooting an impressive round one 69 and round two 71, his 36 hole total was 140. Calvin-Smith carded six birdies on day one. Shane Muldowney had an exceptional day one, Muldowney scratched five birdies in the scorching heat during his second round shooting the tournament low 67! Ethan Han posted a two round total of 145, his first round 75 was followed with 70, considering the 36 hoes of continuous golf, its impressive that he could remain in the zone round two and go lower then his first round. The Boys division leader after 36 holes of play was Raymond Navis shooting, 71-68—139.
The girls division saw some fierce competition in the first round. Alyaa Abdulghany shot a round one 68 with five birdies,following that up with another four birdie round of 72, totaling 140 for her 36 holes. Cameron Lee was in the zone round one carding a four birdie round of 72 followed by a 75, totaling a two round score of 147. Veronica Joels was playing some solid golf in her first two rounds with 76-72-148. Another strong performance round one was the always constant Amari Avery, who’s first round 71 followed by a 74, marking seven birds along the way. They Girls divison leader after day one was Alyaa Abdulghany 2017, Newport Beach, CA shooting -4 under for 36 holes 68-72-140.
Notable Day One Accomplishments:
EAGLES:
Raymond Navis on Hole #4 – Par 5 – 501 Yards
Connor Nolan on Hole #14 – Par 5 – 517 Yards
Ethan Han on Hole #1 – Par 4 – 364 Yards
Chase Cadwallader on Hole #4 – Par 5 – 501 Yards
Day Two: September 11th, 2016
Players Course: Indian Wells Golf Resort
Yardage: Boys – 7,045 / Girls – 6,200
The first tee time of the day was 7:00am again with the re-pairing based off the 36 hole scores, starting off holes 1 & 9. Corey Pavin was in attendance to personally assist with the award ceremony at the conclusion of the final round. Sunday was all about the leaderboard shuffle, with movement across the board in the boys and girls divisions.
Placing third for the Boys was Owen Calvin-Smith, staying in the mix by shooting 72 in round three, leaving home with a three day total of 212. The epic storyline Sunday for the Boys division was between Raymond Navis and Yu-Jen Cheng, both finishing -3 under for 54 holes of golf, this forced them to go to hole #1 for a suden death playoff. With Corey Pavin spectating, the pressure was magnified with the eyes of a U.S. Open champion on them. Both hitting solid tee shots on the par 4, landing within 15 feet of each other. Cheng stuck the approach within 30 feet and Navis landing just off the back fringe. Navis made a solid chip to ensure an easy par. Cheng, with a 30 foot putt in front of him, Cheng rose to the occasion, draining the putt for birdie and claiming victory!
The Girls division saw great playing from many on the tour, Amari Avery had another steady consistent day, shooting a -1 under, 71, with three birdies! Another story of consistency was Veronica Joels, also carding a -1 under, 71, with one birdie and 17 par’s. Casey Syal was matching the desert heat, firing a 74, consisting of two birdies. Sienna Scibird had a great 3rd round with an even par 72, with two birdies. Alyaa Abdulghany was in the zone, the only girl to break 70 on Sunday, posting a round of 69 with 4 birdies. This was enough for Adbulghany to clinch 1st place, totaling -7 under, 209, for 36 holes of play. Placing 2nd was Amari Avery, fishinging with an even par, 216. Finishing in 3rd was Veronica Joels, finishing plus three with a three day total of 219!
Notable Day Two Accomplishments:
William Mouw: 6 Birdie Round
Connor Nolan: 5 Birdie Round, -4 under 68.
Ethan Barnes: 5 Birdie Round
Lani Potter: 3 Birds in a row
Special thaks to our product sponsor for the event, TaylorMade golf! The kids loved their new Corey Pavin Invitational logoed golf shirts!
Thank you to Indian Wells Golf Resort for hosting this great event, the course as in outstanding condition and the staff was extremely friendly!
Lastly, thanks to our great rules officials:
Rules Committee Chairman; Ron O’Connor, PGA
Rules Officials; Gary Albin, Tom Powers, Carol Stewart, Keith Reinking, Terry Startzel