Move over Tiger Woods. Step aside Webb Simpson. Hold that tweet for a minute, Bubba Watson. It’s time for Brooke Seay, Ricky Castillo, Zecheng Dou, and Lilia Khatu Vu to take center stage. Now, you may think those are names from the LPGA tour or the newly minted, Web.com tour. And you may be right–in about five years. For now, these players are focusing on defending their crowns at the 2012 Callaway Junior World Golf Championships.
Next week, local golf courses around San Diego will host different age divisions as kids from around the world will battle for their respective titles. The tournament has some pretty good names attached to it and it serves as a great platform for many junior golfers. Last year, a kid by the name of Beau Hossler won the Boys 15-17 age division. Yes, that Beau Hossler. The same kid who finished T29 at this years U.S. Open. That finish earned him second low amateur for the week and captured our hearts with a boyish, and budding charge towards the lead. Hossler held the lead briefly during Saturdays third round.
Hossler will be back, too, to defend his title and hopefully keep this magical summer, well, magical. If he were to win, he’d join some pretty dexterous company. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods won his respective age division from 1988-1991. Lorena Ochoa won her age division from 1990-1994. To be fair to Hossler, that is quite the company. Winning any tournament two years in a row is a daunting task. I’m not the kind of guy to crown a player early, but if Hossler plays anywhere near how he did at Olympic, he’s a good bet to win. Hossler and his braces will tee it up with a full field of pubescent and precocious teens at Torrey Pines South Course, July 10-13.
Torrey Pines won’t be the only course bustling with kids and their always hopeful parents. Nine other local courses will host different age divisions for boys and girls. North county’s executive course Oaks North will be hosting the Boys Division 7-8. If you have played Oaks North in the past week, you have already experienced the diverse group of kids that have finally made their way to the states. From Vancouver to Thailand, families have flocked to San Diego to help their kids live out their dream. Let me tell you, these parents are very dedicated to their kids success. A few parents have been here a week already and have been at Oaks North for the better part of eight hours of the day.
Everyday.
Most might call that hardcore. For these parents and players, it’s just another day at the office. Talent is deeper than ever in junior golf. Just like the big boys on the PGA Tour, if these adolescents take a day off of practice, they’re falling behind their competent competitors. There may be language barriers but one thing is of sure: birdies will be the common term shared between these players. Hopefully. Maybe. Most likely.
If you love golf and would like to see the future of golf, get out to a local golf course and watch some worldly talent from these youngsters. You may just learn a thing or two.
Go get ’em kiddos!
For tee times and tournament site information, click here.
Hit ’em straight!
Eddie
Chip Shotz with JC Golf 
#1 by Mea on July 21, 2012 - 8:22 am
The Callaway Junior Worlds also has a history of repeat winners who did not progress as far as those who ranked lower. Take for instance the boys 2000 past performers, where Philip Francis age 11-12 won consecutive years, does anyone recognize his name in the PGA today? But in the same year, scroll down to number 36 (Rory, yes Rory McIlroy). Now scroll further down, to those who did not make The cut, way down…recognize Any Orange? Yes, Rickie Fowler. In fact if you scroll around at the bottom in other years and age groups, you will find Kevin Na 155/155. Do not forget to google Henry Liaw, he won multiple years too…. Hmmm. There is a lot to ponder in history.
#2 by JC Golf on July 31, 2012 - 3:51 pm
Thanks for all that info Mea. Winners of Junior Worlds don’t always posses the talent or have the decorated careers and some low finishers. Thats what makes the tourney so diverse and deep in talent. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hope you enjoy future posts! Take care.