IJGT Hosts First Event of Summer Series at Port Royal G.C.

A highly talented group of junior golfers came to compete in the 36-hole International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) Junior at Port Royal Golf Club. The Barony Course at Port Royal Golf Club proved to be a tough test during both rounds. The gusting winds and the tight landing areas made finding the fairway a challenge for many.

Nont Panayanggool of Chiang Mai, Thailand fired a 2-over-par 74 during Wednesday's final round to capture his first IJGT victory. The playing conditions in the first round were extremely challenging given the intense rain and wind that the players experienced on the back nine. However, Panayanggool was at the top of his game when the conditions were the worse. During the difficult back-nine stretch he shot a 1-under-par 35 which included three birdies. He ended the day with a 3-over-par 75, giving him a share of the lead with Chase Williams of Jasper, Ala.

Panayanggool came into the final round with the mindset of focusing on one shot at a time and only concentrating on his game, not on his fellow competitors. He got off to a shaky start making three bogeys on his first nine holes. Panayanggool turned it around when he got to the back nine with a birdie on the 10th hole.

After making a triple-bogey on the 12th hole, Panayanggool finally caught fire. He made a four foot putt for eagle on the par-5 15th hole, then backing it up with an emphatic birdie on the closing hole to secure the championship. Panayanggool finished at 5-over-par 149 for the tournament - two strokes clear of the next competitor.

Panayanggool dominated the back nine on the Barony Course, playing it in 2-under-par for the tournament. The most impressive part of his play was the fact that the conditions were toughest on the last nine holes because of a strong win coming off the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

"I wanted to keep positive when I lost a shot and just forget it and continue to play my best," commented Panayanggool about the key to his success on the back nine.

Panayanggool's final-round score of 2-over-par 74 earned him the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award, which goes to the player who shoots the lowest score during the final round. Finishing in second place was Bryson Nimmer of Bluffton, S.C., with a tournament total of 151. In a tie for third place were Albano Valentino of San Juan, Argentina and Loren Dukate of Waynesburg, Pa., who finished with a tournament score of 153.

In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Andrew Alligood of Saint Johns, Fla., came back from a two stroke deficit to claim his first IJGT title. Alligood shot a final round score of 79, very impressive given that the majority of his round was played in winds of at least 15 mph. He avoided making any large numbers on his card which allowed him to climb up the leaderboard.

The high point of Alligood's round came on the 15th hole on the Barony Course at Port Royal Golf Club where he made his lone birdie on the day. At that point he was in control of the competition and closed with three straight pars to hold off his fellow competitors.

Alligood knew he was capable of piecing together a good round, and after the first nine holes he had the lead by one stroke. He decided to put driver away and keep the ball in play off the tee on the back nine. "As long as I hit it on the green I had a chance to make par and keep the lead going," he said.

Justin Stagg of White Plains, N.Y., earned the Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award in the Boys 14 & Under Division, after his round of 4-over-par 76. Stagg tied for second place with Nicholas Russell of Hilton Head Island, S.C. They both carded a tournament total of 164.

The IJGT is hosting a Summer Series event on July 16-17 at Dolphin Head Golf Club in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The Gary Player design features some of the most challenging greens in the Hilton Head area. This event will be ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard.

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, and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy.

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