Uskids2015

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U.S.

KIDS

GOLF The mission of U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories.

SUNDAY, JULY 19TH, 2015

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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U.S. Kids Golf World Championships Return To The Pinehurst Area The World Championships Grow to a Record Number of Participants and Celebrate 10 Years at Pinehurst

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he Pinehurst area has been privileged to host a vast international group of young golfers and their families each summer to compete in the U.S. Kids Golf Teen and Kids World Championships. Qualifying to play on the area’s premier golf courses during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships is the equivalent to an adult qualifying to play in one of the four golf majors. This is something they dream about and work hard to achieve.

Their time in the Pinehurst area is filled with magical moments and they return to their homes with fond memories that will last forever, and perhaps they will return again to the fairways of Pinehurst to compete in a national championship, like 24 former U.S. Kids Golf World alumni did last year to play in the Men’s and Women’s US Opens.

This will mark the tenth consecutive year that the world’s largest and most prestigious junior golf tournament will be played at the “Home of American Golf.” It brings a record 2,000 plus kids, ages 5 – 18, from over 50 countries and 50 states to 13 courses in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, West End and Carthage. The newest host course is Seven Lakes Country Club, joining Pinehurst Resort Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9, Mid Pines Golf Club, Talamore Golf Club, Midland Country Club, Little River Golf Club, Southern

Photos contributed

Pines Country Club and Longleaf Golf and Country Club. The Teen World Championship will be held on July 23rd - 25th, and the Kids World Championship will be held July 30th - August 1st.

“We are delighted to again be hosting this premier junior golf event at the home of American golf,” Dan Van Horn, President and CEO of U.S. Kids Golf said. “There is no finer golf destination in this country, and no one has hosted as many national championships as Pinehurst. We are glad that this is the home for our grandest championships.

This was a huge factor in our decision to purchase our first golf course, Longleaf Golf & Family Club in nearby Southern Pines.”

The U.S. Kids Golf World Championships actually consist of 8 individual championships, including the Teen and Kids World Championships, Teen and Kids Van Horn Cup match-play tournaments, three Parent-Child Championships, and new to 2015, the U.S. Kids Golf Team Championship. The Van Horn Cup is a special opportunity for boys and girls in each age group to play in a Ryder Cup-style Match Play competition. The top boys and girls from the United States will face off against the top boys and top girls from the rest of the world following both World Championships. The competitions will take

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

place on the famed Pinehurst No. 2.

In addition to the World Championships and Van Horn Cups, there will be 300 participants in the popular U.S. Kids Golf Parent-Child Championships on Monday, July 27th. This unique event will be hosted on Pinehurst No. 1, No. 8, and has been expanded this year to include Talamore Golf Club.

The Parent-Child Championships are presented by Honda, the preferred vehicle of U.S. Kids Golf.

“We created this event to allow the kids to play with their parents and enjoy the great game of golf, which is the core of our philosophy,” said Van Horn. “We are thrilled that Honda continues as a valued partner for the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation and this event.”

Chris Vonderkall, U.S. Kids Golf ’s Vice President of Tournaments, is also looking forward to returning the World Championships to Pinehurst. “The entire community has been a fantastic host since we first moved the World Championship to Pinehurst in 2006, and we are thrilled at how the championships have evolved to be included among the world’s best junior golf competitions. Many of our loyal U.S. Kids Golf families continue to relocate to the Pinehurst area to be closer to the premium courses that we play each year,” said Vonderkall.

To say that U.S. Kids Golf has benefited the local community for the past several years would be a huge understatement. In fact, the combined economic impact since the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships have been hosted in Pinehurst is close to $60 million, according to a recent estimate.

The U. S. Kids Golf Foundation recently purchased Longleaf Golf and Country Club in Southern Pines and will build a golf academy, which will significantly benefit the club members, guests and the community. The club has been renamed Longleaf Golf & Family Club.

“The U.S. Kids Golf World Championships have helped to redefine the summer business levels here in Moore County,” stated Caleb Miles, President and CEO of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Pinehurst/Southern Pines/ Aberdeen area. “We are pleased to welcome over 6000 golfers and family members to the ‘Home of American Golf ’ each year. We hope these outstanding young golfers will return in the future on their own and with their families to enjoy the magic of this community.”

U.S. Kids Golf, LLC is based in Atlanta, GA, and manufactures equipment and related golf products designed for kids. It was created in 1997 when Van Horn, its founder, recognized that his children were losing interest in playing golf due to not having proper equipment. In addition to more than 4,000 golf shops and retail locations in the United States, the company's products also are available in over 75 countries worldwide.

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, a Georgia non-profit recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity, was created in 2001 and provides services that include competition and instruction. The Foundation, through its Tournament Players Association (TPA), organizes more than 900 golf tournaments for kids each year, with over 12,000 individual players ages 5-18. These tournaments include local tours in 59 cities worldwide, nine U.S. based regional championships; seven international multi-day tournaments, including the prestigious European Championship in East Lothian, Scotland; and the pinnacle events held each year in Pinehurst, North Carolina; the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and Teen World Championship.

Through its Coaches Institute, the Foundation annually recognizes the “Top 50 Kids Teachers” in the world. Beyond this award, the Coaches Institute has provided training to over 1700 golf professionals in the U.S. and abroad, through its Certified Coaches seminars. Both the PGA of America and the LPGA provide continuing education credits for their respective members who participate in the program. The purchase of Longleaf Golf Club will give the Coaches Institute a home location to continue to develop best practices in support of the industry’s efforts to grow the game.

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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Megan Ikeda wins Peggy Kirk Bell Award

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he U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has selected 12 year old Megan Ikeda from Orlando, Florida as the recipient of the 2015 Peggy Kirk Bell Award. Her “helping hand” approach to community service has made a big difference to the organizations she has been involved with and the causes she has supported since she has been in second grade.

Through her Girl Scout Troop, Megan led an effort to raise over $3,000 to buy equipment for a local school that was in desperate need. She also heads an effort to provide toys each year for a community shelter for children. Megan volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, which provides a safe haven for families that had children in the hospital.

Megan has been a mentor for the local elementary school children through their Reading Buddy program and she has been a classroom teacher’s assistant at a prekindergarten in the same school. Additional community service includes work with the Second Harvest food bank organization and she volunteered her time with the Windermere Township on several community beautification projects.

“The world is full of many wonderful things, but because of human activity, the wonderful things in the world are being endangered,” Megan said. “Our world needs everyone’s helping hand to solve these problems. I have offered my helping hand because I know that my single helping hand can make a big difference.”

Megan has been playing golf since she was 4 years old, and has competed in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships since she was 8. Her passion for the game was influenced by her mother, who was a collegiate player for Southern Illinois University.

Her entire family enjoys playing the game, including Megan’s two younger sisters Oliva, who will also compete in this year’s World Championship in Pinehurst, and Lauren, who is just starting in the game.

Because of her passion for golf, her servant’s heart and humble personality, Megan Ikeda has been named the winner of the 2015 Peggy Kirk Bell Award given annually during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.

The award is named for and inspired by the lifelong efforts of Peggy Kirk Bell, who is widely considered to be one of the founders and catalysts of women’s golf in America.

She is best known for her dedication to teaching the game of golf to women, and in 2002, she became the first woman inducted into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. Each year since 2007, U.S. Kids Golf has recognized one boy or girl that has demonstrated outstanding philanthropy by making a difference in his or her community.

Megan loves to play sports she has the privilege and talent to compete at the High School Varsity level in golf and soccer while still in middle school at Windermere Prep School.

“Though sports have always been part of who I am, I am also very passionate about helping others in any way I can,” stated Megan. “I am honored, grateful, and privileged to help others that may not have the same opportunity that I have been given. Through volunteering it gives me such pride that I am able to make an impact on the community. I have seen the happiness that a small gesture of just reading or helping a child with a craft brings to them. I know serving others will always be a part of who I am.”

Photo contributed

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SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

Where Are They Now? The 2006 U.S. Kids Golf World Champions

BY ANDREW STILWELL

Fresh off a four-year run in the Williamsburg, VA, area, the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship traveled south to the Pinehurst area for the first time in the summer of 2006. In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of U.S. Kids Golf in Pinehurst, we wanted to take a look back at the 2006 winners, and see how U.S. Kids Golf World Championship victories furthered the golf careers of twelve young golfers.

BOYS 6 AND UNDER

BOYS 7

KYLE COX

STEPHEN ABRAMS

THEN: Carrollton, TX, native Kyle Cox fired a 39-34-32 at Midland Country Club in his second attempt at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship Boys 6 and Under Division. It was the first of two U.S. Kids Golf Championships for Cox, winning again in 2009. He never finished outside of the top 10 while competing at the World Championship in Pinehurst.

THEN: Stephen Abrams was already a U.S. Kids Golf champion when he traveled to Pinehurst to compete in the Boys 7 Division in 2006. After shooting a 37-33-33—103, he was able to claim his second of three U.S. Kids Golf titles by two strokes.

Carrollton, TX

Wilson, NC

NOW: Stephen is now 16 and one of only 15 individuals with three or more U.S. Kids Golf titles to his name. He is currently playing for the Beddingfield High School Golf Team in Wilson, North Carolina, where he was on the first-team All-Eastern Plains 2A-Conference in 2013 and 2014, as well as first-team All-State in 2014.

Stephen currently holds a 0.4 handicap.

NOW: Now 15, Cox is still playing golf competitively, competing and finishing strong in dozens of junior tournaments annually. Kyle competed in the 2014 Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National Golf Club, and as a freshman at Creekview High School in Carrollton, he led the boys’ golf team to a District 11-5A championship by shooting a 7572 in the championship tournament. Kyle was also named 2015 District Player of the Year.

GIRLS 8-U

ALLISEN CORPUZ Honolulu, HI

THEN: Allisen Corpuz won her first of three U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in 2006 with the Girls 8 and Under Division crown. (She also won in 2007 and 2009.) She was the only girl in her age group to break 100 with a three-day score of 34-30-34--98, and won by seven strokes over her nearest competitor.

NOW: After U.S. Kids Golf, Allisen became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Public Links Championship when she was 10. She also finished in second place at the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur when she was 16.

Still competing in junior events, Allisen recently earned a 14th place finish in the 2015 AJGA Rolex Girls Junior Championship and a sixth place finish at the 2015 Bishops Gate Golf Academy Junior Championship.

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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BOYS 8

BILLY SPOONER Lincolnshire, UK

THEN: The United Kingdom’s Billy Spooner won his only U.S. Kids Golf world title when he shot a 33-36-33 to win by two strokes in the Boys 8 Division. He competed in six U.S. Kids Golf World Championships from 2005-2010, including five in Pinehurst.

NOW: Billy is now 17 and holds a +1.9 handicap. He is a member of the England National Boys Golf Team. He was a runner-up for the 2013 McGregor Trophy, fifth place for the 2013 Carris Trophy and finished equal second in the 2013 Canadian Junior Challenge. Billy also tied for fourth in the 2013 North of England U-16 Championship.

Earlier in 2015, he finished tied for ninth in the South East of England Links Championship.

BOYS 9

JOSH MARTIN Pinehurst NC

THEN: Pinehurst’s own Josh Martin was able to capture his third of four U.S. Kids Golf World Championships when the event was played in his hometown. His threeround score of 68-67-66—201 was enough to secure the victory by one stroke in the Boys 9 Division.

NOW: Josh recently completed his senior year at Pinecrest High School, where he helped the Patriots win two NCHSAA 4-A state titles. He is a three-time Donald Ross Junior Champion, and in 2014, became the youngest winner in history of the North Carolina Amateur Championship. He will be attending UNCChapel Hill in the fall to continue his golf career and join his brother Zachary on the Tar Heels’ golf team.

GIRLS 10

ASHLAN RAMSEY Milledgeville, GA

THEN: 10-year-old Ashlan Ramsey from Milledgeville, GA, won her only U.S. Kids Golf title in Pinehurst by carding a 34-35-33--102, winning the Girls 10 Division by three strokes. “I remember crying as I signed my scorecard because it was one of the first times I felt I had truly succeeded,” Ashlan said. “All the hard work I had put in paid off, which is the best feeling for any young athlete.”

NOW: Ashlan attended and played golf for Clemson University. In 2013 at age 17, she made the cut at the LPGA Kraft Nabsico Championship. She was a 2014 NCAA All-American and a member of the winning 2014 Curtis Cup Team. She was the top-ranked amateur golfer in the World from August 2013 to June 2014 when she turned pro. “I always use that win at 10 years old as a positive memory where I was able to prepare, compete and come out successful,” says Ashlan. “The win in 2006 motivated me to continue playing golf and also made me hungrier to achieve the same accomplishment of winning.”

GIRLS 9

MARIJOSSE NAVARRO Atizpana De Zaragoza, MX

THEN: Marijosse Navarro of Mexico won her second of five consecutive U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in 2006. She shot a 31-33-30— 94 in the Girls 9 Division, winning in dominant fashion and clearing her nearest competitor by ten strokes. Her five titles make her one of three U.S. Kids Golf Champions with five titles to their name.

NOW: Marijosse is currently a member of the Texas A&M University Golf Team, where she was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2014. She competed in two LPGA events in 2015, including a 51st place finish in the 2015 North Texas Shootout.

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SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF BOYS 10

JIM LIU

Smithtown, NY THEN: Jim Liu of Smithtown, NY, had already won three U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in Williamsburg (2002, 2004, 2005) before the event moved to Pinehurst in 2006. He was able to capture his fourth U.S. Kids Golf title overall by one stroke with a score of 68-69-67-204 in the Boys 10 Division.

NOW: In 2010, Jim broke Tiger Woods’ record as the youngest person to ever win the U.S. Junior Amateur.

After a brief period at Stanford University, Jim is now playing on the amateur golf circuit, including a seventh place finish at the New Year’s Invitational in St. Petersburg, FL, and a 10th place finish at the Azalea Invitational in Charleston, SC, earlier this year.

BOYS 11

JAY BURLISON Salinas, CA

THEN: 2006 marked the only U.S. Kids Golf world title for Jay Burlison of Salinas, CA. He shot a 68-66-69--203 to win Boys 11 by one stroke. “That tournament was really the starting point to a pretty successful junior career,” Burlison said. “When I won Junior World the next year, and an AJGA the year after that, I drew back from my experiences during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.”

NOW: Burlison graduated from Palma High School in 2013 as a two-time HP Scholastic All-American. As a freshman, he earned Tri-County MVP honors and was the medalist for the Central Coast Section Championship team. After a year at the University of California-Berkley, Jay now plays golf for Rice University, as well as playing in amateur events. “I’m forever grateful for the opportunities U.S. Kids Golf World Championship gave me, not only that year, but all of the years I played in it since I was 6,” Burlison said.

BOYS 12

GIRLS 11

LISA MAGUIRE Ireland

THEN: Lisa Maguire made her first trip to the United States for the 2006 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, and won the Girls 11 Division. She shot 68-68-64—200 to win the division.

She held off her twin sister Leona, who finished in third place with a 213. “From the 10th hole (during the third round) I made five birdies in a row to take the lead, and I managed to hold the lead, closing out the victory,” Lisa said. “When I holed my final putt, I was so happy. My dad caddied for me, and I remember him running towards me his hands in the air!”

NOW: Both Lisa and Leona were selected to represent Europe for the 2009 Junior Solheim Cup. Lisa was ranked as high as the 35th ranked amateur in the world in 2011. The twins both play golf for Duke University and are entering their sophomore year. “The U.S. Kids Golf victory gave me the confidence that I could compete with the best young girls from around the world, and from there I really focused on improving my game even more,” Lisa said. “The week at the competition was full of memories that I will always treasure and I met so many wonderful people that I am now playing college golf with. That event gave me a true taste of what competitive golf was really like, and my hunger to become the best player in the world only increased.”

GIRLS 12

LORENS CHAN

DOTTIE ARDINA

THEN: Hawaii’s Lorens Chan blew away the field in the Boys 12 Division, shooting 64-71-71 to claim a six stroke victory. It was his only U.S. Kids Golf World Championship title.

THEN: Dottie Ardina, from the Philippines, capped off her record fifth consecutive U.S. Kids Golf World Championship with a score of 69-71-70—210 to win the Girls 12 Division by three strokes. She is tied with Marijosse Navarro and Clare Legaspi for the most U.S. Kids Golf titles of all time.

Honolulu HI

NOW: In 2009, Chan played in the Sony Open in Hawaii on a sponsor’s exemption. He was the topranked golfer in the state of Hawaii during high school, and led his team to back-to-back second place finishes in the Hawaii State high school golf tournament. Currently, Lorens is a Junior at UCLA on their golf team, where he was secondteam All-Pac 12 in 2014 and named an Honorable Mention All-American by GolfWeek.

Philippines

NOW: Dottie turned pro in 2013 and is currently competing on the Symetra Tour. This year, she was able to achieve a ninth place finish at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic. She was the second woman born and trained in the Philippines to earn her LPGA tour card.

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

U.S. Kids Golf World Championship

Schedule of Events U.S. Kids Golf Teen World Championship (Mid Pines, Pinehurst Nos. 2, 4, 8, & 9) Wednesday, July 22nd 8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Participant Registration Pinehurst Resort, St. Andrews Room Practice Rounds Championship Courses 6 - 8 p.m.

Skills Competition Pinehurst Resort, Padgett Learning Center

Thursday, July 23rd Saturday, July 25th Teen World Championship All Courses 7 p.m.

Teen World Championship Closing Ceremonies Pinehurst Resort, Carolina Hotel, Cardinal Ballroom

Sunday, July 26th 7:30 a.m.

Teen Van Horn Cup Pinehurst No. 2

U.S. Kids Golf World Championship (Pinehurst Nos. 1, 3, 8, Southern Pines CC, Longleaf, Talamore, Mid Pines, Midland CC, Little River, Seven Lakes) Monday, July 27th Parent-Child Championships Pinehurst No. 3 & No. 8, Talamore Golf Club

Tuesday, July 28th 8am-5pm Participant Registration Pinehurst Resort, St. Andrews Room Practice Rounds Championship Courses U.S. Kids Golf Team Championship Pinehurst No. 4 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies-Parade of Nations Village of Pinehurst

Wednesday, July 29th 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Participant Registration Pinehurst Resort, St. Andrews Room

Soup • Sandwiches • Salads Best Lunch in Town!

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U.S. Kids Golf Experience presented by Honda Pinehurst Resort Practice Rounds Championship Courses Official Practice Rounds All Courses

Thursday, July 30th Saturday, August 1st U.S. Kids Golf World Championship Championship Courses

Saturday, August 1st Kids World Championship Closing Ceremonies Pinecrest High School Auditorium

Sunday, August 2nd 7:30 a.m.

Kids Van Horn Cup Pinehurst No. 2

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SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

U.S. Kids Golf World Championships Poised to Celebrate 10th Anniversary in Sandhills

BY DAVID DROSCHAK

or a 10th straight year, a small army of junior golfers will converge on one of the state’s premier retirement locations for some competition, camaraderie and a chance to chow down a cart load of chicken tenders. These promising young golfers will also share some precious time with those who wish they were young again as the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship celebrates a milestone of monumental success in the Sandhills this summer.

As many as 650 volunteers – many of them seniors -- help facilitate one of the area’s largest events, as do 13 area courses and golf pros who donate their facilities, time and efforts in the spirit of “growing the game.”

The future of golf is its youth, but it’s so much more than that, according to some of those who are deeply involved in junior golf in and around Pinehurst.

“It works because it’s fun; it works because it creates a deeper interest than just playing golf on Saturday afternoon with your dad or your friend,” golf pro Dale Briggs of Knollwood Fairways and Driving Range said of the world championship event. “It’s a chance to go out there and compete in a big setting. Sure, high school golf is important and the local junior tours are important, but the world championship is a big deal. You ARE somebody when you make it to the world championship.”

Stuart Taylor played in the Donald Ross Junior Championship in the 1960s and ended up migrating to the area as a golf professional. A senior citizen now, Taylor is the PGA Director of the Eastern Junior Golf Association and a major proponent of kids learning the game, and more importantly enjoying the game. He fondly recalls golf, golf, and more golf as a youngster.

“I remember my junior days like it was yesterday,” Taylor said. “We would do fun things like go find golf balls or chip over some bushes. Sometimes we would play six holes, and if we weren’t doing so good, we would start over. That was back in the day of walking and cheap golf. There is nothing that makes me happier than to see some kids with bags over their shoulders, going down the fairway, just jabbering and seeing them enjoying each other’s company, getting fresh air.”

The best junior golfers are once again coming from over 50 countries around the world, traveling to Pinehurst from as far as 12,500 miles away. They will play 6,000 competitive rounds of golf or more than 100,000 holes of golf over three days in late July and early August.

And that doesn’t include over 50 holes for practice rounds.

“Let me tell you about golf,” Briggs said. ‘‘You can play in China, Japan or Brazil, it’s the same game. There is a language of golf that goes around the world that everybody understands. You may not be able to talk about it after your round, but that score is a score and that out of bounds marker is an out of bounds marker.

“The way the game has been moved around the world it is a universal language. It brings a lot of people together and in this world right now we need a lot of that,” he added.

Indeed, what began as a humble tournament with big dreams has become the largest

F

Photo contributed

and most prestigious event in the world for kid’s golf, producing its own set of luminaries: Cheyenne Woods, Alexis Thompson and Cindy Feng are all U.S. Kids Golf World Championship winners who are now among those carrying the future of women’s golf.

“July and August always make for a special time at Pinehurst because of the U.S. Kids World Championship,” said Pinehurst Resort president Tom Pashley. “So often at Pinehurst, you hear stories of golf’s past and the wonderful champions who have played and won here. But every summer for the last 10 years we’ve also been offered a glimpse of the future of golf and the game’s next champions. It’s a joy to see the spirit of golf live on in these wonderful young

players from all over the world.”

“U.S. Kids Golf is dedicated to helping kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and encouraging family interaction that builds lasting memories,” added Dan Van Horn, founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “We are so honored to partner with Pinehurst and the surrounding golf communities to fulfill our mission for growing the game with a family focus. Every year, we’re able to bring the best junior golfers and their families from around the world to the home of American golf.”

Aside from a leg of the world championship held at his facility each summer, Dale Briggs stages four weeks of golf camp for juniors, with the help of Taylor, both of who have created a unique approach to teaching 10-year-olds the game of golf. Snack time is as important as tee time. Fun is the name of the game, not necessarily golf all the time.

“It’s not just about hitting balls. We encourage them to play,” Taylor said. “The first day of Dale’s camp is so unique. Most of the 15 or 16 kids haven’t played very much and they don’t have many skills. It doesn’t matter, the first day they get here, even if they’ve never touched a club, they are playing golf. We play a little four-person, 50-yard scramble. They are a team and they are walking, playing maybe 6 or 9 holes.”

“I’ll tell them to grab just a putter and two clubs, that’s it,” added Briggs. “They take a few balls and put them in their pocket instead of lugging a bag – you know, all these deterrents that end up being an issue with kids. We give them something that’s not such a road block, so they don’t want to immediately go back to the video games.”

Baseball, football and soccer will always have an advantage in school because kids leave the classroom and go to an arena or out the back door to a field, Briggs said. “Golf is not at the school. It is somewhere else. There is transportation involved and there is a cost,” Briggs said.

In other words, golf in general has to work harder and smarter to attract – and retain – teens. Briggs and Taylor believe a change in attitude is the first step.

“We’re in a point in time that just chasing after kids isn’t the way to get this game healthy,” Briggs said. “We need to put fun back in the ball game by taking some of these old-fashioned ideas that some of the clubs and golfers are hanging on to and move on; we’ve got to change the mentality. What’s wrong with nine holes? What’s wrong with a hole where you almost drive the green, chip it up there and make a birdie? That’s pretty cool.”

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

U.S. Kids Golf Foundation Is At Home At Longleaf Golf & Family Club The Foundation is enhancing the existing club for its members and will develop a model U.S. Kids Golf Academy

Longleaf Golf & Family Club is undergoing a makeover — both outside and in — in preparation for the U.S. Kids World Championships

U

.S. Kids Golf Foundation (USKGF) made a long term commitment last April to support its mission with the purchase of Longleaf Golf and Country Club in Southern Pines. The mission is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories.

The sale, which included the Dan Maples-designed 18-hole golf course, driving range, clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pool, and croquet court, totaling 175 acres, has been renamed Longleaf Golf & Family Club. The acquisition of the Longleaf Golf Club is part of U.S. Kids Golf ’s strategic plan to develop a Kids Golf Academy near Pinehurst, “the Home of American golf.” U.S. Kids Golf brings twenty years of experience as the expert in kid’s golf to Longleaf Golf & Family Club, and it is focused on bringing more golfers into the game.

“It has been a dream of mine, and our company, to be able to integrate more kids into a golf club life,” said Dan Van Horn, Founder and President of U.S. Kids Golf. “Longleaf is one of the favorite courses used for our World Championship, now in its tenth year in the Pinehurst area. It will be a perfect facility to develop a model kid’s golf academy and family club. Our focus will be on improving the facilities for the existing members and making the golf course more enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels. Additionally, we are in the early stages of creating a teaching facility for students to develop their game and for coaches to properly learn to teach the early stages of golf.”

An extensive renovation began immediately following the closing on the property to get the clubhouse area and practice facilities ready for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in July. The pool house and pool has been completed, along with the redesign of the pro shop and enhanced clubhouse décor. The clubhouse has been repainted and new additions include making the main clubhouse handicap- accessible with a new entrance ramp and expanded restroom facilities. U.S. Kids Golf is working with local companies,

Photos contributed

including A Affordable Home Improvement, LLC, and King and Hollyfield Designs to complete the clubhouse renovations.

“Our immediate goal was to give the clubhouse facilities a fresh look,” said Chris Vonderkall, Vice President of Tournaments for the U.S. Kids Golf. “We wanted to provide the members with a clubhouse they would be proud of and to demonstrate U.S. Kids Golf ’s commitment to make Longleaf Golf & Family Club one of the finest clubs in the area. We also wanted to provide a welcoming environment for the young golfers and their families that will travel from around the world to participate in our World Championships this summer.”

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has hired golf course architect Bill Bergin from Atlanta to evaluate the current golf course layout and to design an expanded short game and practice area for Longleaf. Bergin’s expertise includes original designs including the Country Club of Winter Haven and Heritage Plantation in Florida and the Auburn University Club and several golf course restorations throughout North Carolina and the Southeast. His design for the enhanced practice facility that is currently under construction will provide a larger driving range, several practice putting and chipping greens and space for an indoor training facility, which will serve as a base for the U.S. Kids Golf Academy in the future.

“Bill Bergin’s strategic knowledge and design background are exceptional,” stated Van Horn. “Bill’s passion for his work and the game of golf contribute to his ability to create exciting, thought-provoking and rewarding golf courses that are memorable for players of all levels.”

Pinehurst, North Carolina-based Signet Golf Associates, managed by Peter Dejak, was selected for the construction of the practice facilities that will be completed later this summer. Additional golf course enhancements, including the addition of multiple tees and the conversion of the grasses on the current putting services to Bermuda grass, will be ongoing

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

through 2016. The U.S. Kids Golf Academy is targeted for completion in early 2016.

U.S. Kids Golf also contracted with California-based ValleyCrest Golf Maintenance to oversee the grounds maintenance for Longleaf. ValleyCrest provides a full range of golf course maintenance and agronomic services to over 80 golf properties in 13 states across the country, including private clubs, resorts, and municipal and daily-fee facilities. They have hired the existing golf course maintenance staff at Longleaf, including Martin Acker, to continue to maintain the facility.

“We have partnered with ValleyCrest Golf Maintenance because they are the industry leader in grounds maintenance, and we share a common commitment with our Foundation to growing the game of golf,” said Vonderkall. “It was important for the club that they continue to use the existing staff who is familiar with Longleaf, but also to integrate their corporate philosophies and cost saving measures into the maintenance operation for the golf course. We are excited about this cutting edge form of grounds maintenance.”

Corey Floyd, who has been a Tournament Director for the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation for the past several years, has recently relocated to Pinehurst to oversee the day-to-day management for Longleaf Golf & Family Club. Corey will continue to be active with the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships that are held in the Pinehurst area in July and August.

The original land for the Longleaf property dates back to 1854, when the Shaw family acquired the land which was used to harvest turpentine, pine pitch and tar from the native pine trees. Around the same time that Pinehurst founder James Walker Tufts began to develop the Village of Pinehurst, the land was converted to orchards for growing peaches, pears and plums. The land passed through several owners until the early 1950s when the land was developed by the Tate family into the Starland Farm horse training center, which included a one mile long flat track and ¾ mile turf track and show ring.

The Mid-South Horse show was held annually at Starland Farm, drawing record crowds each year. In 1987, golf course architect Dan Maples acquired the land and developed the Longleaf Golf Club, which opened on November 4, 1988.

PAGE 15

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

U.S. Kids Golf Foundation Appoints Corey Floyd As General Manager For Longleaf Golf & Family Club

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.S. Kids Golf Foundation (USKG) has appointed Corey Floyd as the General Manager for the Longleaf Golf & Family Club. Floyd will be responsible for the day-to-day management of club operations, including expansion of the existing membership for the club and current member event programming. He will also oversee the partner relationships with ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance, who have been contracted to manage the grounds maintenance for Longleaf and the Filly & Colt’s, Longleaf’s clubhouse restaurant.

In addition, he will supervise the development of the junior golf academy that will be completed in 2016. Floyd will continue to serve as a Tournament Director for the annual U.S. Kids Golf World Championships that are held in the Pinehurst area. He will also continue to support the regional championships for U.S. Kids Golf.

“We are pleased to reintroduce Corey Floyd to his home area as our general manager for the Longleaf Golf & Family Club,” said Dan Van Horn, Founder and President of U.S. Kids Golf. “He will assist us from the ‘front lines’ as we work to improve the facility for the existing members and making the golf course more enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels. Corey’s keen knowledge of the area and business skill is a perfect combination for this leadership position for Longleaf.”

Floyd was born in Pinehurst, and he lived with his family in Fayetteville, NC. They still reside in the area. He grew up playing baseball and credits his grandparents, who still actively play golf, for introducing him to the game. His aunt, a former collegiate player at NC State University in Raleigh, is currently a teaching professional at Briar Creek Country Club in Raleigh and she assisted in further developing his interest in playing golf and learning about

the golf business. Corey grew up playing many of the area golf courses, including LongLeaf, as a summer member of the club. His early professional influencers included Tiger Woods and Rickie Fowler, who Floyd feels is an outstanding role model for kids who are interested in the sport.

“It has been a privilege working for U.S. Kids Golf and serving as a tournament director and now as the general manager for Longleaf Golf & Family Club,” stated Floyd. “It was great to come home each year for the World Championships, and I am honored to have the opportunity to return to the community I grew up in to assist the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation with this exciting new venture at LongLeaf.”

Corey graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from NC State University, and he will receive a Master of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma State University later this year. He interned for three years with the Carolinas Golf Association during his time at NC State, where he was introduced to managing junior golf tournaments for the association, including the Tarheel Youth Golf Association. In 2009, Corey joined U.S. Kids Golf Foundation as a Tournament Operations Manager and later Tournament Director for several regional and international U.S. Kids Golf Championships.

Floyd recently relocated from Atlanta, GA, and will reside in Pinehurst. He and his fiancée Claire Barnes, who is also a native of the area, will be married later this summer.

U.S. Kids Golf Foundation Names Jim Hardy Academy Director For Longleaf Golf & Family Club

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.S. Kids Golf Foundation has named PGA Professional James A. (Jim) Hardy as the Academy Director for Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines, NC, adding another component to U.S. Kids Golf ’s plan for the facility.

Hardy, has been the Director of Instruction at Hearthstone Country Club in Houston. A father of four, he will start at Longleaf in July, bringing with him 19 years of experience. He began his career in the golf industry in 1996 after buying a practice range and adjacent land for a 9-hole lighted par-3 course in southwest Houston. His passion for teaching junior golf was evident immediately, and he became a member of the PGA of America. During his career he also served as the general manager and head professional at Pinecrest Golf Club in Houston.

“The acquisition of the Longleaf Golf Club is part of U.S. Kids Golf strategic plan to develop a youth golf academy near Pinehurst, said Dan Van Horn, Founder and President of U.S. Kids Golf. “Jim Hardy is a passionate youth golf coach. We have been impressed with his dedication to inspire kids to learn the game and to keep them engaged as their skills develop. He will make an excellent addition to the U.S. Kids Golf team at Longleaf and help us create a model we hope will be replicated not just across the country, but worldwide.”

As a teacher, Hardy creates a fun and enjoyable learning experience while bringing

students the technical, mental and fitness aspects of the game to meet each individual’s needs. He is TPI and Plane Truth Golf Certified, has been a coach for the First Tee and serves as an instructor and board member of the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program. This position is right in his wheelhouse as eighty percent of his students are under the age of 18.

As a player, Jim has played in the PGA Professional National Championship and loves to compete but he gets his biggest thrill when he can say, “Learning has occurred.” This is a phrase he uses often during golf instruction and is, in his words, is a code for making a connection with his students and a positive change in their attitude about golf.

“Sometimes an opportunity comes about that you just know you are right for,” said Hardy. “After visiting Longleaf and getting to know the leadership at U.S. Kids Golf, I know that everything that I have done up until now was to get me ready for this chance.

What an awesome opportunity I will have to connect and make positive changes in the lives of kids who love golf.”

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

Parade Of Nations Celebrates 10 Years In Pinehurst For U.S. Kids Golf

Record number of the world’s best golfers from over 50 different countries will parade through the Village of Pinehurst for the opening ceremony celebration

The Parade of Nations will include young golfers and their families, kicking off the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships on July 28.

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he world’s best junior golfers are returning to the Pinehurst area for the 16th Annual U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. More than 1,400 boys and girls, ages 5-12 will gather in the Village of Pinehurst on Tuesday July 28th to commemorate the largest and most prestigious of all junior golf tournaments in the world, which will be contested on 10 of the Pinehurst areas finest courses.

The “Parade of Nations”,” begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Pinehurst Resort Tennis Club. The parade route takes parade participants down Carolina Vista toward the Carolina Hotel, right on Ritter Road, right on Chinquapin Rd into the center of the Village of Pinehurst, concluding in Tuft’s Park.

The public is invited and encouraged to join the participants and families from over 50 different countries and to be part of the excitement.

“The Parade of Nations” has become a wonderful tradition to kick off the World Championships” states Dan Van Horn, Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. He added, “The kids and their families look forward to representing their countries and marching though the Village of Pinehurst with their fellow golfers and friends. We are pleased at the support provided by the Village of Pinehurst, who has been an outstanding host for the past 10 years.”

The parade staging on Carolina Vista will begin at 5:30pm. The players will be

FILE PHOTO

separated by their countries, where they will be able to watch the actual parade pass by before joining in the parade. This way they can see and participate in the parade at the same time.

The parade will be led by a color guard, followed by the 82nd Airborne Marching Band from Fort Bragg, and this year’s grand marshalls will be the Pinecrest High School Boys Golf Team, who recently captured the NCHSAA 4-A State Championship title. A variety of floats, classic cars from the British Auto Touring Society and custom decorated golf carts from area clubs and communities will join in carrying a plethora of the community’s dignitaries, beauty queens and princesses from Moore County and throughout North Carolina. Included in the mix are Taylor Batten, Miss Greater Sandhills, and princesses Anna-Liese Gaines and Cylee Fogleman, Daniela Serna; Miss Greater Carolina and princesses, Kaylee and Addison Carroll, Megan Huff, Ashlee Matthews, and princesses Kelcie Hunter, Sami McDaniel; Miss Moore County and Morgan Hendrix. Also included are Calli Brielle McIntyre, Miss NC Junior High School; Lindsay Douglas and Kamryn Cummings, Carolina princesses for Morgan Hendrix Moore Co. Outstanding Teen; and Calesie Godwin and Mary Kathryn Tripp, Carolina princesses for Sami McDaniel, Miss Moore County. Emily Waldrop will sing the

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

Participants in the Parade of Nations proudly carry the flags of their respective countries.

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

FILE PHOTO

National Anthem at the conclusion of the parade.

Dan Van Horn and his wife Jennifer will join the 2015 Peggy Kirk Bell recipient, Megan Ikeda, in the parade. The Honorable Nancy Fiorillo, Mayor of Pinehurst will be escorted by the Pinehurst Fire Department. Mascots from the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Hurricanes, Railhawks and several other local and state organizations will join in. The official mascots for Honda, which is the preferred vehicle of U.S. Kids Golf, will escort Honda’s vehicle entry in the parade.

New this year will be several international groups including a Japanese drumline and a Ukrainian accordion player. The First Tee of the Sandhills will also be represented.

“It is such an honor to welcome the world to Pinehurst during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships” said Mayor Nancy Fiorillo. “The Village of Pinehurst is pleased to host the “Parade of Nations”, and we wish all of this year’s golfers the best of luck for the championship. We hope the introduction of new entertainment following the parade will Oallow our guests to enjoy the ambiance of our wonderful village.”

Balloons, a giant Putter Boy, police and fire trucks from the surrounding communities, and the legendary Sand Ts of Moore County miniature Model Ts, and the Lmace Cheerleaders and Dancers will lead the way for the “Parade of Nations.” Led by bagpiper Peter McArthur, with an entrance reminiscent of the Olympic Games, the World Championship participants will enter the heart of the Village proudly carrying the flags of their various countries.

Following the parade and the singing of the National Anthem, the participants will be treated to a variety of entertainment including performances from the 82nd Airborne All American Chorus, Hawaiian dancers, Japanese drummers and other surprises. They have the opportunity to participate in several games and activities presented by the Village of Pinehurst and Honda. MilkSplash will be sampling flavored milkshakes and ice tea. Other food options include barbeque, hot dogs, Hawaiian shaved ice and ice cream. Popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase. There will also be a DJ on hand to entertain the crowd with today’s top hits.

Village of Pinehurst police will be providing assistance in traffic checkpoints around the main entrances to the Pinehurst Resort and the village along areas adjacent to HWY 2 ;prior to the parade. Carolina Vista will be closed to local traffic from 5:00pm-6:30pm and Cherokee Road, Chinquapin Road and Village Green West will remain closed until the completion of the parade.

People wishing to park and walk to the parade are encouraged to use lots at village churches.

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

Chris Vonderkall Works To Grow The Game Through Youth Making Competitive Golf Fun for Young Golfers From Around the World

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BY ANDREW STILWELL

.S. Kids Golf Vice President of Vonderkall, his wife Kara, and daughter Ava Tournaments Chris Vonderkall moved to Wisconsin in the winter of 2008, in grew up in western Pennsylvania advance of the 2010 PGA Championship at playing just about every sport Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. there was, but gravitated towards “It was a hard decision to leave U.S. Kids Golf golf from an early age. in 2008,” Vonderkall said. “I had become very “Both of my parents had an interest in the close with the Crim family and the Van Horn game,” Vonderkall said. “They bought me my family, but I felt like it was the best opportunity first set of clubs – a set of Bullets – when I to grow in my career.” was 10 or 11. I started by hitting golf balls in “There was a 15 inch blanket of snow on the my backyard, over the house, over the pool. ground the day we moved,” Vonderkall said Every Sunday night after dinner, my dad and with a laugh.

I would play nine holes at the [now defunct] After the 2010 PGA Championship, Carradam Golf Club. My mom drove me to Vonderkall moved to Michigan in advance of Vonderkall (center) with Corey Floyd, New General Manager of Talamore Photo contributed (left) and Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf (right). the local driving range because Carradam the 2012 Senior PGA Championship. His second didn’t have a range.” daughter, Ella, was born, and Vonderkall realized It was a soccer injury that caused Vonderkall to focus more on golf. “I grew up playing that he needed some stability. “There were a lot of sacrifices made by both Kara and Ava when basketball, baseball, soccer, football and golf,” Vonderkall recalled. “When I was about 16, I I moved to Wisconsin,” Vonderkall said. “I can’t say enough about the good experiences I had tore my ACL while playing soccer and couldn’t go out for my high school basketball team that and the great people I worked with at the PGA, many of whom are still friends. But I needed year. I wanted to do something, so I went out for the golf team.” to get settled in one place instead of worrying about moving every few years.”

The Norwin High School golf team was where Vonderkall discovered his true love for the Vonderkall’s enthusiasm about youth golf and growing the game, directed him to a great game of golf. He started receiving instruction, playing more, and his passion for golf kept opportunity with U.S. Kids Golf as their Vice President of Tournaments. developing from there.

“I’ve always been passionate about junior golf and been loyal to Dan [Van Horn] and his Vonderkall graduated college in 2000 with a business degree and a degree in professional mission. At the end of the day, it was a pretty easy decision from that standpoint, and it was a golf management from Pennsylvania State University. After graduation, he moved to the good step for me and my career as well,” concluded Vonderkall.

Atlanta area, where he accepted a position as assistant professional at St. Ives Country Club.

In the four years since Vonderkall’s return, the U.S. Kids Golf tournament department “I knew someone a few years older than me who was at a private club in the Atlanta has continued to grow, now boasting an annual tournament schedule of more than 900 local area and knew if I stayed in Pittsburgh, which I will always consider home, I would never events, a European Championship, and the World Championship, which has been held in leave,” Vonderkall said. “If I had an opportunity to leave, I figured that I could always go Pinehurst since 2006. The tournament staff is also constantly developing regional multi-day back. I’d never lived anywhere else and had always been curious about warmer weather and events both domestically and internationally. living in the south.”

But Vonderkall doesn’t want to stop there.

At St. Ives Country Club, Vonderkall met Dewey Crim, former chief operating officer of “We always want to create more opportunities for both American and international kids the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, and a member of the club at the time. “Dewey was a member to play the game,” Vonderkall said. “We want to continue to grow, to get more girls involved in of St. Ives, and we formed a relationship that turned into somewhat of a mentorship. He took the game, to get kids the good coaching. We want to be doing as much as possible to learn to an interest in me and introduced me to [U.S. Kids Golf Founder and President] Dan Van help the golf community, and understand the troubles that courses are going through.”

Horn, and I started at U.S. Kids Golf in 2002,” Vonderkall said.

This starts with the Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines, NC, which U.S. Vonderkall worked in U.S. Kids Golf’s emerging tournament department.

Kids Golf purchased earlier this year. “We want to make Longleaf a place where families and “We were focused on developing the World Championship as well as qualifiers for the friends and everyone can come together.” Vonderkall said. “To give them a place they can World Championship. It was also around that time that we started our local tour program,” enjoy, be proud of, and learn the game of golf. We’re going to be bringing coaches in, showing Vonderkall said. He continued to grow the tournament side of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation them what we’re doing -- that we’re making Longleaf family-friendly and family-accessible. It’s until he left to work in the tournaments department of the PGA of America in 2008. truly a ‘living laboratory’ for what we’re trying to do.”

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

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THE PILOT — 2015 U.S. KIDS GOLF

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2015

U.S. Kids Golf Presents 2014 Players Of The Year Award Sponsored By Honda

T

Awards presented to top boy and girl golfers during The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

he 2014 U.S. Kids Taylor’s home course is WoodGolf Player of the Year field Country Club in Boca Awards were presentRaton, where she plays and ed during the Spring practices while being homeHonda Classic golf tournament schooled by her mother. She was in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. introduced to the game of golf Honda is the official vehicle of by her grandmother at age nine U.S. Kids Golf. and has won over 40 tourna The winners were Taylor ments in the South Florida area Roberts, 13, of Boca Raton, FL, during the last four years. and Narayan Mohan, 11, of

Even though she has won Charlotte, NC. Honda providthe South Florida U.S. Kids Golf ed special invitations for the Player of the Year award, she also winners and their families to enjoys gym time, art and hangDan Van Horn (far left) with U.S. Kids Golf 2014 Player of the Year Taylor Roberts and Photo contributed attend the Honda Classic at ing out with her friends. Taylor is Chris Vonderkall (far right) with 2014 U.S. Kids Golf Player of the Year Narayan Mohan.

PGA National Resort, where the motivated by her desire to be the young players received their awards. best, which might include a collegiate and professional (golfing) career in the future.

The awards were presented to the top rated boy and girl for their competitive golf Narayan began golf at age five, playing in his first U.S. Kids Golf event in 2011 when season during 2014. To be eligible, players were required to earn Player of the Year he was nine. He was also awarded the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour Player of the Year title honors at a U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour event in the United States. This was done by winlast year, and won 16 tournaments since 2009. Narayan is a rising 8th grade International ning the Local Tour points standings, and competing in four or more events within the Baccalaureate student at Piedmont IB Middle School and plays the piano and violin. He season, which runs from the previous year's summer season through the current year's also finds time for racquetball, ping-pong and snowboarding while regularly traveling to spring season. Players had to participate in an 18-hole age group during the U.S. Kids Pinehurst for golf instruction at the Pinehurst Golf Academy. Narayan has hopes to play Golf World Championship (Girls 10 and older, Boys 9 and older). collegiately and professionally.

The National Player of the Year Award winner is the highest finisher at the U.S. Kids Honda invited both winners to an experience of a lifetime by participating in the Golf World Championship who meets the above criteria. In the event of a tie, the lowest Honda Classic Gold Pro-Am. They played with PGA Tour professional Brian Harman. score relative to par at the event will determine the winner.

“Honda is pleased to work with the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, which is dedicated to Both Roberts and Mohan finished 4th in their respective age division at the 2014 U.S. family interaction and helping kids to have fun learning and playing the game of golf,” Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst. said Susie Rossick, Senior Manager, Regional Marketing for American Honda Motor “The U.S. Kids Golf National Player of the Year Award is the highest honor to bestow Company. “Honda’s commitment to growing the game of golf now extends from this on these great junior golfers,” stated Dan Van Horn, President and CEO for U.S. Kids Golf. new connection with the best junior golfers in the world through the finest professional “We are very proud of their accomplishments made throughout the year in competitive golfers in the world during the Honda Classic. We were excited to present the Player of play, and we look forward to watching their golf games develop for the future. We are the Year award to Taylor and Narayan, and we wish them both success as they continue pleased to partner with Honda this year as we presented the Player of the Year awards.” to advance their competitive golf opportunities for the future.”

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