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Best in class

Reigning National Players of the Year Anthony Paolucci and Kristen Park top our list of 10 Southland juniors to watch.

BY ELI MILLERPublished: June, 2011

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Having a ball: Park (left) and Paolucci will both attend USC beginning next fall (PHOTO: Challenge Roddie).

The Rolex Junior Player of the Year Award is one of the most indicative titles in amateur golf. Since its inception in 1978, Southland natives Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods combined to win five times in a seven-year stretch, while LPGA major champions Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer also have earned the accolade.

Last year marked the fifth time in Rolex history the award was given to a pair of Southern California residents — Anthony Paolucci (Rancho Santa Fe) and Kristen Park (Buena Park). Both have established themselves as two of the most exciting Southland juniors in some time, and both will attend the University of Southern California this fall.

Don’t be surprised if one or more of the players rounding out our list of 10 juniors to watch follows in their footsteps. As training regimens intensify and competition increases, the crop of local youngsters is only becoming deeper and more talented.

Read more on our 10 rising Southern California golf stars, starting with Paolucci and Park.

BEST IN CLASS: