Final Results - IJGT at Ravenwood G.C. - May 4-5

Van Niekerk Takes Home First IJGT Title

Notaro Earns Comeback Victory

VICTOR, N.Y. - The International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) played host to the AB Golf Designs Junior at the beautiful Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, N.Y. 46 elite junior golfers representing five states competed for national recognition and IJGT Merit Points. Players and spectators were greeted with sunny skies and warm weather during this two day, 36-hole tournament.

The Boys 15-19 Division came down to the last nine holes, where Matthew Van Niekerk of Rochester, N.Y., was able to take home the title. Van Niekerk had a solid first round carding a 6-over-par 78, but found himself trailing first-round leader Alec Miller of Pittsford, N.Y., by four strokes.

"I missed a lot of putts {in the first round}," said Van Niekerk. "I just took it easy when I got home, and told myself I have nothing to lose in the second round."

Van Niekerk started his second round off strong, with two birdies and a spectacular eagle on the par-5 sixth hole carding a front-nine 4-under-par 32. He found himself tied with Miller at the turn, which made for an exciting finish on the back nine. Van Niekerk shot even-par on the back nine putting him in the clubhouse at 2-over-par 146. Miller needed to birdie the tough par-5 closing hole at Ravenwood to force a playoff. With Van Niekerk watching, Miller stuck his approach shot six feet from the hole. Miller's birdie putt fell just short, giving Van Niekerk his first IJGT Title.

"I have known Alec {Miller} for a while, and I really wanted him to make that putt," said Van Niekerk. "It feels really great to finally put a win under my belt, and I am really excited for the future."

Van Niekerk's final-round score of 4-under-par 68 earned him Clazic Belts Low Final Round honors.

Finishing second was Miller carding a weekend 3-over-par 147. Rounding out the top three in the Boys 15-19 Division was Ezekiel Zhao of Annapolis, Md., with a total score of 151.

In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Mike May of Auburn, N.Y., had a four-stroke lead heading into Sunday, after an impressive first round. Carding a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday, May earned KENTWOOL Socks Lo-Pro honors.

"I was pretty nervous on Sunday, but I knew I just needed to concentrate on my shots and make putts," said May.

On Sunday, May started his final round off strong with three consecutive birdies carding a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine. With a comfortable lead after the turn, May just needed a consistent back nine to take home the AB Golf Designs Junior Title. May did just that, shooting even-par on the back nine and carding a tournament total 4-under-par 140.

"It feels great to win this weekend, and I played very well both days," said May. "I played well both days, and I cannot complain."

William Thomson of Pittsford, N.Y., finished second carding a weekend 7-over-par 151. Rounding out the top three in Boys 14 & Under Division was Marc Holzhauer of Clarence Center, N.Y., with a final score of 152.

Sarah Notaro of Williamsville, N.Y., had a spectacular comeback this weekend. After carding a 16-over-par 88 in the first round, Notaro trailed first-round leader and KENTWOOL Socks Lo-Pro winner Kristin Bromley of Pittsford, N.Y., by 10 strokes.

Putting Saturday's round behind her, Notaro started her final round off strong with a 3-over-par 39 on the front nine. Even after her solid front nine, Notaro still trailed Bromley by four strokes after the turn. Notaro started her back nine off with four consecutive pars, and cut into Bromley's lead. Notaro made par on No. 18, which was just enough to earn herself her first IJGT title after carding a tournament total of 166.

Notaro's fantastic final round earned her Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award honors.

"It feels incredible to win my first IJGT Title," said Notaro. "I have been working on my putting and it definitely paid off this weekend."

Finishing just behind Notaro, was Bromley and Molly Balbierz of Hamburg, N.Y., both finishing with a tournament score of 167.

The IJGT Northeast Tour will travel Hershey, Pa., to host the Major Championship at Hershey Country Club presented by the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy May 11-12. To sign up for this event, please visit www.IJGT.com/info or call 888.936.5327.

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, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Kiawah Island Resort, and Harbour Town Golf Links. Official partners of the IJGT include Bridgestone Golf, Quagmire Golf, KENTWOOL, CHAMP Spikes, Clazic Belts, AB Golf Designs, AHEAD Headwear, The First Tee, Sundog Eyewear morodZ, PURE Grips, and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy.

To obtain more information about the IJGT, please visit www.IJGT.com/info or call 888.936.5327.

VICTOR, N.Y. - Final round results of the IJGT AB Golf Designs Junior at Ravenwood conducted by the International Junior Golf Tour completed May 5, 2013. Boys 15-19 Division: Burgandy Tees - 6729 yards, Par 72 (73.0/136) Boys 14 & Under Division: Black Tees - 6288 yards, Par 72 (70.6/126) Girls Division: Blue Tees - 6049 yards, Par 72 (74.5/133)

Weather: Saturday: Sunny with temperatures in the low 70's with 5-10 mph winds
Sunday: Sunny with temperatures in the low 60's with 0-5 mph winds

International Junior Golf Tour
AB Golf Designs Junior at Ravenwood Golf Club
Victor, N.Y.
May 4-5, 2013

Boys 15-19 Division-(Bergundy Tees) 6,729 Yards, Par 72
1. Matthew Van Niekerk, Rochester, NY *78-68--146
2. Alec Miller, Pittsford, NY *74-73--147
3. Ezekiel Zhao, Annapolis, MD *75-76--151
4. Douglas Kulikowski, Pittsford, NY *76-76--152
5. Colin Dubnik, Rochester, NY *81-74--155
5. Connor Raeman, Canandaigua, NY *77-78--155
7. Danny Lapp, Trumansburg, NY *75-81--156
8. Christian Nizamis, Baldwinsville, NY *82-75--157
9. Michael McIntosh, Chittenango, NY *78-80--158
10. Chris Salone, Geneva, NY *87-72--159
11. Tyler Sands, New Canaan, CT *81-79--160
12. David Berkun, Getzville, NY *79-82--161
12. John Sandlas V, Seneca Falls, NY *78-83--161
14. Joshua Greenly, Ontario, NY *86-76--162
15. Daniel Thomas, Fayetteville, NY *81-82--163
16. Lee Hammerschmitt, Armonk, NY *85-79--164
17. Drew Derrenbacker, Fayetteville, NY *83-83--166
17. Alex Hepburn, Corning, NY *83-83--166
19. Kyle Bromley, Pittsford, NY *84-87--171
20. Alec Kunzwiler, Oswego, NY *86-88--174
21. Ben Brason, East Aurora, NY *89-86--175
22. Nick Santaro, Manlius, NY *90-88--178
23. Kevin Herlihy, Genneseo, NY *95-98--193

DID NOT FINISH

Gregory Sibick, Williamsville, NY *DQ (Rule 33-7)
Charlie Holt, Meadville, PA *-JWD

Boys 14 & Under Division-(Black Tees) 6,223 Yards, Par 72
1. Mike May, Auburn, NY *71-69--140
2. William Thomson, Pittsford, NY *75-76--151
3. Marc Holzhauer, Clarence Center, NY *72-80--152
4. C.J. Hughes, Indiana, PA *78-77--155
5. Leo Hernandez, Stewartsville, NJ *77-80--157
6. Ben Reichert, East Amherst, NY *78-83--161
7. Armand Cadieux, New Hartford, NY *85-77--162
8. Sean Stanistreet, Camillus, NY *85-78--163
9. Ryan Rybicki, Remsen, NY *85-80--165
10. Danny Gianniny, Rochester, NY *82-84--166
11. Andy Bronstein, Pittsford, NY *83-92--175
11. Justin Rockwell, New Hartford, NY *82-93--175
13. John Michael Sullivan, Camillus, NY *88-89--177
13. Jack ODonovan, Pittsford, NY *93-84--177
15. Teddy Trosset, Cooperstown, NY *93-98--191

Girls Division-(Blue Tees) 5,956 Yards, Par 72
1. Sarah Notaro, Williamsville, NY *88-78--166
2. Kristen Bromley, Pittsford, NY *78-89--167
2. Molly Balbierz, Hamburg, NY *86-81--167
4. Emily Doyle, Horseheads, NY *92-85--177
5. Natalie Squillace, Slingerlands, NY *88-95--183