Final Results from IJGT Open at Oxmoor Valley

A talented group of junior golfers gathered at the Robert Trent Jones Trail at Oxmoor Valley for the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) Open this weekend. Despite some low temperatures and extremely high winds, the tournament was very competitive with the Boys 15-19 Division requiring extra holes to determine a winner.

Connor Slane of Helena, Ala., won his first IJGT tournament after outlasting Vasili Kartos of Birmingham, Ala., in a three-hole playoff on the Valley Course at the Robert Trent Jones Trail - Oxmoor Valley. Slane started the tournament well, posting a 3-over-par 75 on Saturday. This was the low score of the day giving him a one stroke cushion going into the final round on Sunday. During the final round it was a tale of two nines for Slane. He got off to a great start making two birdies on his front nine shooting a 1-under-par 35. On the back nine Slane found some troubles as he closed with a score of 41. Kartos took advantage of Slane's stumbles and tied him atop the leaderboard after 36 holes of golf.

The playoff started on No. 1 on the Valley Course which is a downhill 440 yard par-4. Slane hit an excellent approach shot into the green, while Kartos missed the green right. After a miraculous chip shot, Kartos drained his par putt to extend the playoff to hole No. 2. Both players could not get up-and-down for par, taking the duo to hole No. 3. After hitting the fairway both players missed the green, but this time Slane was able to convert his up-and-down to secure the victory.

Over the weekend scoring conditions were not ideal, but the top players including Slane, were able to put together some solid numbers. "The course was playing tough and it was windy both days. I just wanted to go out and shoot the lowest number I could," commented Slane.

Finishing in third place was Patrick Albanesi of Avon, Conn., with a tournament total of 156.

Kartos's score of 3-over-par 75 on Sunday earned him the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award, which is given to the player who records the lowest score during Sunday's final round.
In the Girls Division, Rebecca Chandler of Northport, Ala., came out victorious in her second IJGT event. Tough weather conditions and the frequent elevation changes of the Valley Course pushed scores higher over the course of the weekend. Chandler was able to start off her tournament very well with an opening round of 85. Her round included a birdie on No. 2 and also four consecutive pars on the back nine. Chandler built an 11 stroke lead going into the final round. Although she was not on top of her game on Sunday, she still ended up beating her nearest fellow competitor by five strokes. This was Chandler's first IJGT title.

In second place for the Girls Division was Caroline Waldrop of Hoover, Ala., with a tournament total of 184. Finishing in third place was Kathryn Crouch of Harker Heights, Texas, with a tournament score of 187.

Waldrop, who was playing in her first IJGT event, earned the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award, which is given to the player who records the lowest score during Sunday's final round.
Tim Morton of Florence, Ala., earned the Boys 14 & Under Division championship after his stellar play this weekend. Morton was very consistent all tournament avoiding large numbers on his scorecard, which proved key to his success. During the first round, Morton converted three birdies en route to a 7-over-par 79. The final round for Morton was a little more tumultuous, however he made enough birdies and pars to finish the day with a 83 and a 19 stroke victory. Morton's feat was very impressive given this was his first IJGT tournament.

Morton never let his wide margin of victory affect the way he was going to play. It was not until hole No. 14 that he was confident the title was in the bag. "I knew I had that birdie. I needed the birdie and I took it," said Morton in his post round interview.

Rounding out the Top-3 were brothers Jack (second place) and Ford (third place) Goldasich of Birmingham, Ala.

The IJGT will return to Hilton Head Island, S.C., for an event at Oyster Reef Golf Club on November 3-4th. Driving accuracy will be the key to success on the narrow Rees Jones design.

To sign up for this event or others, or for more information call (800) 792-9143 or visit www.IJGT.com.

About the IJGT

The IJGT provides exceptional junior golfers with the opportunity to develop and showcase their competitive skills while setting high standards to preserve the traditions and integrity of the game. As a tour that operates primarily throughout the academic year, the IJGT hosts approximately 60 tournaments annually. In addition, the IJGT hosts three international events. Each event provides multi-day competition for junior golfers of all skill levels ages 9-19. Players representing 45 states and 43 countries around the world regularly compete in events at venues such as TPC Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Bethpage State Park, and Harbour Town Golf Links. Official partners of the IJGT include Bridgestone Golf, Quagmire Golf, KENTWOOL, CHAMP Spikes, Clazic Belts, AB Golf Designs, The First Tee, Golf Digest/Golf World, morodZ, PURE Grips, and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy.

To obtain more information about the IJGT, please visit www.IJGT.com or call (800) 792-9143.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Final round results of the IJGT Open at Oxmoor Valley conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour completed October 28, 2012. Boys 15-19 Division: Purple Tees - 6941 yards, par 72 (73.6/128). Boys 14 & Under Division: Orange Tees - 6289 yards, par 72 (69.9/120). Girls Division: White Tees - 6050 yards, par 72 (75.7/135)

Weather: Cloudy with temperatures in the High 40s with winds of 15-20 m.p.h.
Partly Cloudy with temperatures in the Low 50s with winds of 15-20 m.p.h.

IJGT Open at Oxmoor Valley
Robert Trent Jones Trail - Oxmoor Valley (Valley Course)
Birmingham, Ala.
October 27-28, 2012

Boys 15-19 Division - Purple Tees, 6,941 yards, Par 72
1. x-Connor Slane, Helena, AL *75-76--151
2. Vasili Kartos, Birmingham, AL *76-75--151
3. Patrick Albanesi, Avon, CT *80-76--156
4. Daniel Tello Vargas, Pachuca, Mexico *82-76--158
5. Kristopher Douglass, Evans, GA *81-80--161
5. Manuel Velez, Panama City, Panama *78-83--161
7. Jonathon Simons, Breaux Bridge, LA *84-81--165
8. Layne Rice, Hanceville, AL *87-83--170
8. Konstantin Kosta Kosutic, Belgrade, Serbia *81-89--170
10. Connor Hogan, Monroeville, AL *85-86--171
10. Andrew Boyer, Bracebridge, Canada *86-85--171
12. Giacomo Locatelli, Selvazzano Dentro, Italy *90-82--172
12. Chase Williams, Jasper, AL *86-86--172
14. Jordan Rockett, Hoover, AL *83-90--173
15. Aaron Stansell, Homewood, AL *89-87--176
16. Xavier Hereford, Huntsville, AL *92-85--177
17. Matt Allen, Coker, AL *91-90--181
18. Sam Goldasich, Birmingham, AL *90-95--185

x-Won in Playoff

Boys 14 & Under Division - Orange, 6,289 yards, Par 72
1. Tim Morton, Florence, AL *79-83--162
2. Jack Goldasich, Birmingham, AL *87-94--181
3. Ford Goldasich, Birmingham, AL *102-101--203

Girls Division - White Tees, 6,050 yards, Par 72
1. Rebecca Chandler, Northport, AL *85-94--179
2. Caroline Waldrop, Hoover, AL *96-88--184
3. Kathryn Crouch, Harker Heights, TX *97-90--187
4. Alexis Berger, Alabaster, AL *110-111--221