PGA Jr. All-Stars book return trip to nationals
LOCH LLOYD, Mo. — The Pleasant Valley Hot Springs All-Stars captured the PGA Jr. League Region 9 championship this weekend to advance to the national tournament for the second consecutive years.
The Pleasant Valley Hot Springs All-Stars advanced to the PGA Jr. League Regional at The Country Club at Loch Lloyd in the Village of Loch Lloyd, Mo., by winning the South Central Section championship on Aug. 26 at the Club at Indian Springs. They won the Regional with 22.5 points and a 3-0 record against three other all-star sectional champions.
The national PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental will be held Nov. 16-19 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Region 9 included the Springfield 1 All-Stars from Springfield, Mo., in the Midwest PGA Section; Springfield All-Stars from Springfield, Ill., in the Gateway PGA Section; and Metro Illinois 1 All-Stars from Edwardsville, Ill., in the Gateway PGA Section.
Pleasant Valley Hot Springs captured its first win Saturday morning, 7 to 5, against Springfield 1. The team kept its streak alive in the afternoon, defeating Metro Illinois, 7.5-4.5. The regional championship was sealed Sunday morning with a win of
8-4 against Springfield. Metro Illinois placed second with a 2-1 record and 20.5 points. Springfield 1 was third at
1-2 with 17.5 points. Springfield finished with 11.5 points and an
0-3 record.
PGA Jr. League provides instruction from PGA and LPGA professionals, who serve as captains of the teams. Barry Howard, of the Hot Springs Country Club, captains the team. Leo Di Marino is the coach.
Members of the team from Hot Springs include Graham Dolan, Towle Douglas, Will Gordon, Gray Manning and Scott McLaughlin. Team member Brooklyn Bourland is from Hot Springs Village. Anna Kate Nichols, Peyton Robinson, Adam Squires and Robbie Vaught represent the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock.
The Pleasant Valley Hot Springs All-Stars placed sixth in the 2017 PGA Jr. League Championship, also held at Grayhawk Golf Club. Dolan, Gordon, Manning and Nichols return from the 2017 team.
The regular season ended on July 31 and 10-player allstar teams were formed from a combination of players in each league, based upon standings. The postseason began with sectional qualifiers. Section championships were hosted by all 41 sections throughout the country. A total of 12 regional winners advanced to the national championship.