News

Michael Lai (Redlands) and Beverly Mendoza (Philippines) won the 2009 Junior Challenge at Tijeras Creek last month, an event put on by the Junior Amateur Golf Scholars Tour. The 36-hole event took place at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita.  

Lai won the boys division by one shot over Baldwin Park’s Daniel Inocencio, shooting a 3-over-par 147 after rounds of 75-72. Inocencio had a three-shot lead going into the second round after carding an even-par 72 on opening day, but he faltered in his second round, shooting a 4-over-par 76. Lai and Inocencio’s 72s were tied for the lowest round of the tournament. 

Charlie Benell (Pacific Palisades), Nico Mendoza (Yorba Linda) and Barron Frankhauser (Trabuco Canyon) rounded out the top-five finishers, shooting 153, 155 and 156, respectively. 

On the girls side, Mendoza was victorious by two shots over Lakewood’s Victoria Fallgren. Mendoza was in a three-way tie for the lead after the opening round of competition, as she, Demi Runas (Torrance) and Arica Rodriguez (Whittier) all opened with rounds of even-par 72. Runas and Rodriguez both stumbled in the second round, shooting 76 and 78, respectively, while Mendoza finished with a 1-over-par 73 to seal the victory.  

Mission Viejo’s Tarah Taylor finished fifth at 153.  

The tournament had excellent conditions and the boys played a difficult layout set at 6,918 yards, while the girls played a stout track of 5,938 yards. 

The Junior Challenge at Tijeras Creek was the JAGS Tour’s final event of the 2008-09 season. For full results from this tournament and for information on how to sign-up your junior for future JAGS events, visit jagstour.com.