Nakayama Notches Third Consecutive Title

A tremendous field of junior golfers took part in the 36-hole International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) tournament at Shipyard Golf Club, where wind and tight fairways made for difficult scoring conditions this weekend.

Ayaka Nakayama of Kanagawa, Japan added another IJGT trophy to her collection after finishing with a 4-over-par tournament total of 148. Nakayama, a Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (HHIJGA) student, has won three consecutive tournaments in a one month time span. She came into the tournament at Shipyard Golf Club with high expectations and she did not disappoint.

Nakayama began the final round making birdies on two of her first three holes. Her competitors tried to put together a comeback after Nakayama made bogeys on her fifteenth and sixteenth holes, but Nakayama responded with back-to-back pars to secure the victory.

Nakayama credited the low scores to her putting this weekend. Even with a three-peat at stake, Nakayama displayed a sense of calmness and familiarity during the final round. "I was not nervous, said Nakayama." The only time she was nervous all day was during her victory speech.

With three more wins, Nakayama will have that under control as well. She will be in action again at the IJGT tournament at Hilton Head Lakes on October 15-16.

In second place with a solid score of 150, was Moyu Sasaki (HHIJGA) of Tokyo, Japan. Finishing in third place was Ana Paula Valdes (HHIJGA) of Morelia, Mexico with a tournament total of 153.

Taylor Simonsen of Beaufort, S.C. won the Boys 15-19 Division with a total tournament of 148. After firing a even-par 72 on Saturday, he started Sunday's final round one stroke behind first-round leader Theron Ornt (HHIJGA) of Highland Park, Ill. Simonsen got off to a rocky start, and did not make his first par of the day until hole No. 5. Playing in the final group of the day, he knew exactly where he stood on the leaderboard. Simonsen finished off his victory with an exclamation point draining an eight foot birdie putt on the closing hole.

Simonsen was looking to place in the top 5 this weekend, but had no expectations of winning. "I just wanted to stay calm and stay within myself, said Simonsen." This was Simonsen's first IJGT tournament making his performance even more impressive.

Finishing in a tie for second place were Ornt and Mason Smith (HHIJGA) of Phoenix, Ariz. with scores of 152.

In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Lohith Ramaraju (HHIJGA) of London, England claimed his first IJGT victory of the fall season finishing the tournament with a score of 158. He created some breathing room on Saturday after firing a 4-over-par 76 in windy conditions at Shipyard Golf Club. Going into the final round with a ten stroke lead, Ramaraju stuck to his gameplan of playing smart and controlled golf. Although he did not make any birdies, Ramaraju made nine pars on the day in route to an 82.

Tournament success is not easy to come by and Ramaraju knows this well. "All my practice paid off. I worked hard for this," Ramaraju said. He will be back to work for a while before playing in his next tournament at Hilton Head Lakes on October 15-16.

Peter Kelesis (HHIJGA) of Las Vegas, Nev. finished in second place after closing with a 76, which was the lowest score of the day in the 14 & Under Division. In third place with a tournament total of 169 was Zach Ruhlin of Hilton Head Island, S.C.

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, BMW of North America, The First Tee, Golf Digest/Golf World, and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy.