“Rain rain go away”...
Rain was the theme for the 2007 Texas Junior Masters, the boys and girls 13-18 age divisions was shortened to 27 holes. The field included players from Mexico, Canada and some of the best junior in Texas. The first round was completed with Bryston Jimenez from Plainview, TX leading the boys 16-18 with a 69, Brittney Smith from Petrolia, TX leading the girls 13-18 with a 72 and Diego Alarcon from Jalisco, MX. leading the Boys 13-15 with a 69.

In the 3 years Texas Junior Masters has existed one thing is certain, players from Mexico love this event and are definitely leaving their mark. In 2006 Team Mexico won 2 out of the 3 age groups with the 3rd Mexico player placing 3rd in the Boys 13-15. This year it had Jorge Rodriguez from Tampico, MX going to a sudden death playoff in the Boys 16-18, Mellisa Gonzalez from Coahulia, MX placing 3rd in the Girls 13-18 and Diego Alarcon from Jalisco, MX placing 2nd in the Boys 13-15. As the Texas Junior Masters grows to be an international event, Maple Leaf Golf Tour sent their best player to represent Canada, their top finishers had Mike Broadfoot from British Columbia, CA placing t-4 in the Boys 16-18, Soo Bin Kim from British Columbia, CA placing 2nd in the girls 13-18 age group and Saejin Hyun from British Columbia, CA placing t-5.

The Boys 16-18 concluded with Abraham Ancer from Mission, TX winning in a sudden death playoff after a 45 min rain delay over Jorge Rodriguez from Jalisco, MX. Abraham and Jorge showed much class at the first sudden death play off hole saying “it doesn’t matter who wins, we both grew up together and we’re just having a great time playing against each other” The girls 13-18 had 2007 USGA Womens Pub Links and 2006 USGA Womens Amateur participant Brittney Smith from Petrolia, TX winning over Soo Bin Kim from British Colombia CA. The Boys 13-15 had Alex Ellis, one of many young prodigies coming out of Austin, TX winning the Boys 13-15 and had Diego Alarcon from Jalisco, MX a close 2nd.

After 3yrs with the top finishers being international and the best juniors in Texas it’s quickly becoming a premiere international event for the best juniors in the state.

Thank You Players and Parents,

Robert Valero
Tournament Director

The first two days of the Texas Junior Masters was dedicated to our younger golfers, ranging in ages seven to age twelve. All the winners with the exception of Alex Smith in the Boys 11-12 were Texas Team members from the 2007 Texas Mexico Cup

In the boys 11-12 yr old age group, Houston golfers Austin DeGrate and Alex Smith tied after two rounds and went into a very emotional sudden death play-off, with Alex Smith prevailing as Champion with a 6 ft birdie putt in the pouring rain.
In the boys 9-10 age group, David Snyder had a one-stroke win over Burkburnett’s Brad Dalke.
In the girls 11-12 group, Lakarebe Abe of Angleton, TX had a final score of 155, beating Megan Thothong of Dallas by four strokes.
The girls 9-10 group was won by Brooke McDougald who had a 156 total for the two days. Four strokes back, and in second place was Courtney Dow, of Frisco Texas.

In the 8 and under boys division, James Alfaro of Raymondville, Texas shot a 32 on Monday, and a 34 on Tuesday to take first place. Second place went to Reese Ramsey of Austin Texas with a 35 and a 35.
The 8 and under girls division was won by Macy Holliday of Murphy Texas. Macy had a 40 on the first day, and a 38 on the final day, winning by 12 strokes. Darinka Velazquez of Puerto Vallarta Mexico came in second place.

Congrats to all and see you in 08,

Robert Valero
Tournament Director

The Texas Junior Masters has quickly become one of the “must play” summer events and has certainly been recognized as one of the prestigious events in Texas.

We would like to thank AJGA, Texas Cup Invitational and our iAlliance partners in helping make The Texas Junior Masters a special event.