USA
Tour June / July 2006
This
year we planned to play in five tournaments in the United States
and I left early in June for the first tournament the Pepsi
Littlepeoples Championship. I received a big surprise when I
boarded the plane with my mom (my dad was coming later) as we
were in business class. My dad managed to cash all his miles
on his voyager and American express card to get us these seats.
I was so happy and my dad and mom are special to give this to
me. It was our winter and we flew nearly 19 hours into Washington
and then onto St Louis and drove up to Quincy for the Pepsi
Littlepeoples Championship. We stayed at our favorite place,
The Stoney Creek Inn. It is a real great Inn and has a wonderful
pool.
PEPSI
LITTLEPEOPLES CHAMPIONSHIP – 19 -21 June – Quincy
Illinois - www.littlepeoplesgolf.com
The
last time I played here was in 2004 and finished third in the
6-7 Age Division. We arrived and practiced for four days but
I struggled off the tees and mostly to the right. We were playing
at the Westview Golf Course and it was very important to keep
your drives in the middle of the fairways as the they slope
to the right. This is where my ball was ending up. In the first
day of competition I played my second shots well as I had to
after my driver was always going right and we could not fix
it. I was only two over before the last hole and then got cross
after two bad shots and then went onto triple bogey the hole.
I know I was cross and then caused me to not follow my routine
and my putting was bad on the last hole. I learnt a valuable
lesson from that. On the second day my driver was a little better
and played well but my putts did not fall. This was my downfall
on day two and eventually finished on a 38 and with first day
41 finished in twelfth position on 79. I know I could have played
better but as each game goes by you learn a little more. I still
had a lot of fun
I
also played in the two team events on the Thursday and the Friday
and our team finished second and third respectfully on these
two days. These competitions were initiated by Nan Ryan after
the Craig Lamporte Memorial was cancelled in 2004. It is a great
event and is similar to the Ryder Cup format so you also meet
many new friends. I now leave to drive with my mom up the Country
Youth Classic in Bloomington, Illinois.
COUNTRY
YOUTH CLASSIC – 26-28 June – Bloomington, Illinois
- www.countryyouthclassic.com
It
was another opportunity to play on another course in the United
States and was the
23 rd different course I have played there. It is always a treat
to play on these courses and I have a collection of pitch repairers,
caps as well as markers from each course.
We played the Highland Park Golf Club and recorded a first round
38 which was four off the pace in fifth place and played an
average game with my driver having improved a lot. This was
after we phoned my dad who was still in South Africa and he
told me to line up more square as I was tending to put my left
foot to far forward.
Then as my mom says “all hell broke loose” as I thought
I was stung by a bee while playing after day one. At 02:00 am
the next morning I woke up crying and my hand was swollen badly.
My mom put ice on it and anti histamine cream to try and reduce
the swelling. I could not get to sleep and in the morning the
swelling had gone down slightly. My mom would not allow me to
practice before the game as my hand was sore. I wanted to but
she said no. I teed off but miss hit the ball badly and the
next three shots. On the second hole the club flew out my hand
and the swelling was back and badly and I could not hold a club.
The marshals came over and said I must stop as did my mom. I
said no and wanted to play but the marshal was quite strict
and said I cannot continue and therefore had to withdraw. I
still walked as a marker to the end and then told my mom she
can take me to the hospital. I was taken to St Josephs where
I spent four hours under observation while they were trying
to find out what caused the swelling. They eventually gave me
injection and said it must have been a spider and I was to stop
playing and watch the swelling. We left Bloomington the next
day for Chicago and went to see another doctor as the swelling
still was not done and there was a red line up my arm. However
after five days it had almost retuned to normal but the finger
(where the bite was) was still numb and swollen. I did not touch
a club for the next two weeks. We then flew from Chicago to
San Diego for the Callaway World Championship.
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CALLAWAY
WORLD CHAMPIONHIP – 18 -20 July – San Diego, California
- www.juniorworldgolf.com
My
dad finally arrived to spend the last three weeks with us and
was shocked to see my finger still not healed. We went to the
driving range but could see quite quickly I had lost about 20%
distance on all my clubs.
We then went for a practice round on the Welk Resort Golf Club
and struggled on some of the Par 3’s but seemed to be okay
on the Par 4’s except one, about 300 yards which I could
not reach in two. Day one was an up and down day and first time
I had to caddy for myself which was not bad at all. I battled
with distance as sometimes I would hit a 8 iron 112 yards and
the next time only 90 yards and battled to grip the club properly.
However it was not that bad but did not play well at all shooting
a 72. The next day I played the same kind of game and put myself
into a lot of trouble being right a lot and ended on another
round of 72 and missed the cut. I was playing the 9-10 age category
and still nine so was not to concerned as there is always a
next and I know I can do well as last year where I finished
second in the world championships. We had another break and
went to Disneyland in Los Angeles before going to Pinehurst
in North Carolina. I also played to really great course on the
hills looking over Los Angeles, call Black Gold and Coyote Hills.
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U.S.Kids
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – 26-28 July – Pinehurst, North
Carolina - www.uskidsgolf.com
We
landed in Raleigh-Durham and drove down to Pinehurst and through
huge rainstorms which was the outskirts of the hurricane which
was just off the coast of North Carolina.
Pinehurst is just a wonderful place and steeped in tradition
( my dads helping with the wording). The U.S.Open has been held
here in 1999 and 2005 and the most historic was the 1999 Open
which was won by Payne Stewart, one of my favorite golfers along
with Nick Price, Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk. All great gentleman
of the game.
I practiced well shooting 72, 70, 68 and 73 and was fairly confident
I would finish in the Top 10 if I continued this form into the
competition. I could not reach the greens in two on the Par
5’s where many of the other kids could. The finger still
hampered the drives but not my irons. On day one a played steady
and well but lost 5 shots on the second nine to finish on 77.
I was disappointed I really tried hard on day two but was erratic
with birdies and bogeys and after the rain delay lost too many
shots on the second nine again and misjudged the par 3 distances.
I scored a 77 again which put me way out the running and on
day three I thought I played well although scoring a 76. The
third day my putting was not that great and overall not a good
tournament but again learnt that you cannot always be at the
top. I must congratulate Joshua Martin on his fine win as well
as Sam Horsfield who recorded an incredible 63 on Day 2 and
just lost to Joshua by one shot. Well done to these two great
players.
Well
that is the end of my tour and may memorable moments to be cherished,
seeing the bronze statue of Payne Stewart, playing Pinehurst
No 2 with a round of 86 off the forward tees and the aurora
that surrounds the club house and course. I am so lucky to have
been part of the World Championship in this wonderful place
called Pinehurst and my two fans Sophie and John who followed
my every shot. Thank you Sophie and John and all the marshal’s
especially the marshal on Hole 18 at Pinehurst No2 who came
to shake my hand after placing my second shot to within 15 foot
of the hole and relating the last hole played by Payne Stewart.
I hope to be back again sometime if not too expensive and we
can save enough.
USA
Tour July 2005
CALLAWAY
WORLD JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA
12-14 July 2005 www.juniorworldgolf.com
Bryce
left the cold of South Africa and arrived in Washington DC for
a brief stopover before a 5 hour flight to the searing heat
of San Diego. Bryce was entered in the Boys 7-8 Division with
over 88 qualifiers from all over the world. Over 1000 children
traveled to the event, the largest of it's kind in the world.
The three practice days prior to the event we battled to work
out the yardages and Bryce's scores were 6 over par which was
not good. On Monday evening though we played a second practice
round and he recorded TWO holes in one, the first on the Par
3 102 yards ( used his 7 iron) and the second on the 12th, par
3 ( 92 yards) using a 8 iron.
This was of course incredible to witness espicially two in one
round and this definitely put Bryce on a high.
The first day of the championship Bryce teed off at 10:48 and
held steady over the first nine scoring even par and followed
up on the second nine with even par to finish the first day
on 58 for even two shots behind the leader and in 2nd place
on his own. The second was a little more tense and he teed off
a little earlier at 08:48 and the course played slightly longer
because of the dew and early morning humidity. He played another
solid round and recorded 3 bogeys, a birdie and the rest pars
to finish 2 over for the day and 118 total for the first two
days and still alone in second place behind the current world
champion, Joshua Martin of the USA. Bryce was at this stage
6 & 7 shots ahead of last years world champion Allenby Ramos
and number two Bernardo Curbelo. Going into the 3rd and final
day the 20 players who made the cut teed off from 08:00 and
Bryce was in the final fourball as he was lying second some
3 shots off Joshua. Bryce parred the first 3 holes and then
birdied and after Joshua record a double bogey Bryce was within
one shot.
However the players all played steady golf and Bryce started
to feel the pressure at the end and he bogeyed the last two
holes but this was still good enough to finish in 2nd
place on a score of 179 which was 5 over. Bryce really played
well and thank you to his coach, Dave Usendorff who helped prepare
Bryce for this event. We are extremely proud to have Bryce as
the second best player in the world having beaten the likes
of Ramos, Curbelo as well as Tyler Moore, Gabriel Lench and
Matthew Plunkett, all ranked in the top 10. Bryce
also tied for the putting competition whereby he won a brand
new putter. We will leaving for the U.S.Kids World Championship
which is been held in Williamsburg, Virginia in the next two
days"
Score
Card
U.S.Kids
World Junior Golf Championship - Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
- 28-30 July 2005 www.uskidsgolf.com
The 6th annual U.S. Kids World Championship was held in Williamsburg
Virginia and over 900 children from all 50 states and some 26
countries took part. Bryce qualified for this prestigious event
by winning the South African Qualifier event earlier this year.
We made the 6 hour trip from San Diego to Williamsburg and arrived
5 days prior to the event and straight into a heat warning zone.
The temperatures reached around 43 deg and humidity around 109
which tied the record for Williamsburg as the hottest day. Bryce
practiced around 7:00 each day to avoid the heat and scored
three to five over on the practice days.
The
Par 5's played long at 325 yards and 310 yards which he could
not reach in two. The Par 4's averaged around 240 yards and
he mostly played his driver and then 8 iron to SW into the greens.
Competition Day 1 was a horrid day with neither his drivers,
irons or putting working and he finished on 40, four over and
in 33rd position. Over 46 children were within 6 shots of the
leader's score of 34, Joshua Martin from North Carolina. On
Day two Bryce played a lot more consistently and bogeyed only
one hole, birdied one and pared the rest to finish level par
36 and climbed back to eighth position.Day three started like
day one except in the rain which made the rough treacherous.
Bryce bogeyed the first, pared the second and the bogeyed the
3,4 and 5th with, we must say, some shots unlucky not to go
down. He then said he was going to birdie all the holes as he
wanted to be positive and not negative.
He
then pared the sixth, placed his 6 iron on the par 3 about 2
feet away for birdie and on the par 5 drove the middle of the
fairway and hit his 5 wood slightly long into the rough some
57 yards from the pin. He chose to use his SW which landed on
the edge of the green and rolled in for an eagle leaving him
just 1 over. On the last hole,a Par 3 the tee was placed at
the back of the tee box due to the rain and we were not sure
what to use. We played the 5 iron in some 119 yards but short
and on a steep embankment. Bryce lobbed to within 3 feet and
tapped in for par. The last four holes he played 3 under which
managed to bring him back into the top 10 and indeed finished
in 10th place. He was a very determined child and fought back
well on the last day despite a start that left him 4 over after
5 holes. He
also posted the third best score on day 2 and 8th best score
on Day 3.
With
his 2nd place at the Callaway World Championship and his
10th place finish in this event has proved he can hold his
own and his parents are very proud of his performance. We will
have a few weeks off before putting a program together for the
next year. Well done to Joshua Martin who won the U.S.Kids Championship
as well as the Callaway. A very talented player and pleasure
to have met and played with as was Tyler Moore, Gabriel Lench
and Bernardo Curbelo."
USA
Tour June - July 2004
Callaway
World Junior Championship - San Diego, California 13-15 July 2004
" I have finished the last competition of
my 8 week tour of the United States by playing in the biggest
tournament in the world for juniors. The tournament was held at
Singing Hills on the Pine Glen Course. I was very nervous as I
was in the 7-8 year old category and the children who are 8 were
hitting very far. However I tried to make as little mistakes as
possible and ended the first day on 61 and 3 shots off the lead.
There were 69 children in the field from all over the world and
the USA. There were 18 players within the leader who was on 58
for the first 18 holes.
On
the second day I had my worst day of golf ever and recorded a
69 for the 18 holes. I just made so many mistakes and I don't
know why. I suppose you can't keep on finishing in the Top 3 all
the time and sometimes we all have a bad day. My mom tried very
hard to help me as she was my caddy with my dad been all the way
back home in South Africa. But there are no remarks on the scorecard
and my final score was 61 + 69 = 130 and missed the cut by 3 shots.
They only take the top 25% into the final day. I am not too unhappy
though as amongst the 7 year olds in the field I finished a credible
9th. I have travelled over 31,000 kilometres in my stay here and
stayed in 11 different hotels. I am glad my friend Matthew Plunkett
made the cut and hope he finishes well. I leave a lot of friends
behind and hope to see them all next year.
Thank
you to my mom and dad for helping me and giving me the support
and I know they are very proud of me and what I have achieved.
I love them very much. I hope you all have enjoyed reading about
my trip and I am arriving back home in 6 sleeps ( Wednesday 21
July ). Thank you to Craig for updating my site and also again
to all those who made my trip possible. Thank you from Bryce.
Peoria
Junior Masters - Peoria, Illinois 6-7 June 2004
I won the Peoria Junior Masters 7-8 Age Division which was held
in Peoria, Illinois. During the practice days the best score I
managed was a 41 for 9 holes as the course was playing very long.
The Par 3's were up to 150 metres long and the Par 4's around
260 metres. Remember I am only 7 so it is a long way. There was
a little water around and bunkers and the rough very long. The
rough was as high as my knees. The first day I played out of my
socks and recorded a 36 which put me 2 shots ahead of the second
placed player David Basa who finished 6th in the 8/9 Division
at the Country Youth Classic the week before and he is much bigger
than me. I was very excited to be the overnight leader.
The second day I pared the first four holes to maintain my lead
but then had a double bogey and bogey which allowed David to get
within 1 shot of me. However I held on and recorded a 39 for the
nine holes and finished on a 75 and four shots clear of the field.
We played at the Kellogg Golf Club and the fairways were quite
damp following a heavy downpour. During the late afternoon there
was a tornado warning and we had to all sit in the lounge of the
hotel until it was over. I was quite scared as I have seen tornado's
on TV.
We fly to San Diego now via Chicago and prepare for the Callaway
World Junior Championship where I play in the 7-8 year old division.
I will be playing against many of those I have played against
in my previous 7 tournaments so please hold thumbs for me."
Country
Youth Classic - Bloomington, Illinois - 28 -30 June 2004
" I have just completed my sixth tournament in the USA by
playing in the 4th largest tournament staged for juniors.It was
held at the Lakeside Country Club in Bloomington. The course was
very narrow and had very tricky greens. On day one I was paired
with the # 1 player Allenby Ramos and of course this meant I had
to play well. I had a bad day although I still shot even par.
I bogeyed one hole, eagled another and parred the balance. I don't
know what happened but I kept on hitting left. After the round
was completed I was in fourth place but only two shots behind
the leader.
The second round was much better and I recorded 1 under for the
9 holes which moved me into tie for second place and another playoff.
I was very nervous as I had lost a playoff earlier in Greenville.
I then hit "the" drive of my tour to within 2 feet of
the hole and a simple tap in to win and finish in second place
3 shots behind Allenby. He is a good player and a good sportsman.
I also managed to win closest to the pin competition for my age
group and won another trophy. I have a few days off now and I
am going for a long swim at the water park. I then leave to play
in the Peoria Junior Masters. My mom was my caddy and she was
great."
Craig
Lamporte Memorial Championship : 24-25 June (Cancelled) -
Replaced
by :- Pepsi International Team Event - Quincy Illinois 24 June
2004
Round
of 35 and 1st Place held at Westview Golf Club in Quincy Illinois.
"
We were told rather unexpectedly that the Craig Lamporte Memorial
which was due to take place was cancelled at last minute. I was
very upset and cross and we believe it was because of a conflict
in date for the venue and competitions. The people from Pepsi
and the Canadians put together a international 1 day event over
nine holes where we played with countries from Canada,South Africa,
Switzerland, Barbados, China, Philipines, Mexico, Germany and
USA. I was in the team that shot a 1 under 35 and was tied for
first place. We had to have a playoff and we eventually won on
the second hole. The event was staged at Westview Golf Club in
Quincy. I recieved my fifth trophy and was crowned as champion
of the Post Pepsi International Tournament. I was glad as well
as Shannon Aubert partnered me and she is also from South Africa.
It was a much more easy round and not as tense as the others.
I have left for Bloomington, Illinois to play in the Country Youth
Classic, the 4th biggest junior golf event in the USA and the
world.
I am sad as my dad is leaving to go home and I will be playing
the last 3 tournaments without him. I gave him my tournament participation
trophy for being a good caddy."
Tournament
Details - Scores
Pepsi
Golf Championships - Quincy, Illinois 21 - 23 June
"
Whew, I have just finished my fourth tournament in Quincy, Illinois.
The Pepsi Championship is in it's 31st year and is the 2nd biggest
tournament for juniors in the world. Well it was another tense
two days on a course with the trickiest greens I have ever played
on. You had to be on the green in regulation else you were struggling
for par. The fist day I recorded a 31 for the 9 holes and was
tied for 2nd place behind the USKids World Champion, Allenby Ramos
from the Philipines by 1 shot. It was very hard as the I was also
playing against the top children from over 36 states and 16 countries.
I hated Hole 6 as in the practice rounds and on the first day
I recorded double bogeys. The first day I hit a tree and it it
almost went into the creek. I was in the final fourball on the
last day and was even with Ramos and Curbelo after 4 holes. Ramos
droped a shot to fall back into a three way tie. I then had 3
bad, bad holes in a row with a bogey, double bogey and then par
to be 2 off the pace. Ramos and Curbelo then had a eagle and birdie
and I was three off the pace. I managed a birdie and then par
and finaly finished on 34. This was good enough for third place
as Ramos and Curbelo ended up in a tense playoff which Ramos won
on the 3rd extra hole. In the end the were 9 children within 5
shots of the leader and I am very proud to have finished 3rd and
recieved a nice trophy.This was a very prestigious event. Nan
Ryan was great and helped us so much. I was CBS news and also
on the front page of the Quincy newspaper.I also met with with
some good friends from other tournaments, Matthew and Joshua.
All the people were very nice and friendly. I wish we had this
at home. I play again tomorrow in the Craig Lamporte and then
off to Bloomington."
Tournament
Details - Scores
Starburst
Junior Golf Classic 14 -16 June
- Waco, Texas
I
have just finished playing my most intense competition of the
tour. I was playing in the 7-8 Division so the older boys were
hitting a lot further and the course was long, about 2,200 metres
for 9 holes and it was hilly. I suppose that is why they call
it Rolling Oaks. After the first day I shot a 45 and was tied
with 4 other players in fifth place. I lost 3 shots on one hole
when I went in the water. On the second day I played much better
and recorded a 39 closing with four par's in a row and recording
1 bogey and one double bogey. The NBC Channel 6 TV Team was there
and filmed the last two holes and also interviewed my dad, my
mom and me at the end of the round. They showed it in the Sport
Section at 10:00 pm and was 2 minutes long. Anyway I was now in
4th place on my own 2 shots off the pace and knew I had to do
well to finish in the Top 3 . I played well and was a bit unlucky
with some birdie chances and managed to record a 41 which featured
no double bogeys at all. The course was a lot slower due to the
dew and slowed my ball down but I still managed to creap ahead
and finish in 3rd place and recieved my third trophy. I was very
excited as there were over 900 children playing here in Waco in
the 3rd largest tournament in America and I also managed to beat
the 8 year olds. I was also in the Waco Herald newspaper where
they featured an article on my travels and competitions. I am
now off for two days and flying to St Loius and onward to Quincy
for the Pepsi Junior Championship.
Thank
you again to all the people who helped me at my golf day and Rodney
at Suburban
Services for making this trip posssible. I am very greatful
for your help."
Tournament
Details - Scores
Wildwestshootout
Championship 7-11 June - Arlington Texas
"This
was a tough event as I had to play 72 holes over four days just
like the pro's do and also 18 holes a day. We also do not stop
halfway and play straght through 1-18. I played in the 7-9 Age
Group and was the youngest player in this event. The course measured
from 4,500 to 5,000 metres and we played mostly off the ladies
tee. This was very long for me. However I shot a 92 the first
day in very windy conditions and was good enough for tied 4th.
The
second day at Lake Arlington Golf Club we played in the rain the
whole time and in some places the course was waterlogged. I still
managed a 94 and moved to 5th place. The ball never ran on the
fairway as it was so wet. On the third day at Chester Ditto Golf
Course it was still under the "lift,clean & place"
rule and I shot a 90. The other kids were bigger and I knew I
had to keep my drives staight on the last day. They have a rule
in place at Terra Vierde that you may not retrieve your ball from
the rough due to the rattlesnacks. We played our final day here
and I shot a 86 while my other two players in my group lost shots
due to this rule. I finished in 4th place overall. I will think
again about playing this long at my age and so will my caddy (my
dad) as he has big blisters from the heat and rain. I am now on
my way to Waco to play in the Starburst Junior Golf Championship."
Tournament
Details - Scores
Exxon-BFI
Future Tour Championship
"I
played in my first tournament of my USA tour at the Exxon-BFI
Future Tour Championship which was held in Greenville Mississippi.
The temperature is around 28ºC. It was not too humid! The
first day of play saw me record 2 over par for the round after
I double bogeyed the last hole, this left me in 2nd place going
into the final day.
I
started off well with an eagle, birdie and was one under for the
tournament, however, my wedge shots let me down and I finished
with a score of 1 over par. I finished tied 2nd and we had to
have a sudden death play-off, which I lost on the 2nd extra hole.
I was very proud to finish 3rd especially when you have competitors
from 38 states playing. I won a big trophy which I will bring
home with me. Our flag flew high next to the American flag as
I had travelled so far to compete. I was also featured in the
Delta Democratic Times Newspaper and my photograph was published.
My
Dad and I were also on NBC television which was broadcast live
from the course. I also finished tied first place in the putting
competition in this tournament. The people were so friendly and
so well organised and I was very proud to represent our country
at such a prestigious event which was held at the Greenville Golf
and Country Club. I have now left for Dallas for the Young Guns
Wild West Shootout Championship."
Tournament
Details - Scores
WORLD JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
AND DESERT INVITATIONAL IN USA - AUGUST 2003
Bryce
has recently returned from the United States where he played in
the Desert Invitational Tournament in Palm Springs, California
as well as the World Junior Championships in Williamsburg Virginia.
Bryce is a pupil at Crawford Preparatory School in Lonehill and
is now member of the Kyalami Country Club.
Bryce
was privileged to play at the Landmark Golf Course, home of the
annual Skins Challenge. Temperatures ranged between 95 and 118
deg F. Due to the heat the children all teed off at 07:30.
Bryce played the 7 & Under age group and finished a credible
third considering he is still six years old. The course layout
was the longest he has ever played with the Par 5's measuring
around the 300 metre mark. The competition took place over 3 days
and prior to the competition the Skills Challenge was held at
the Mission Hills Course. Bryce won the chipping competition and
was awarded a Ping i3 Wedge. He also received a Crystal Trophy
for his third place.
In
the World Junior Championship in Williamsburg he arrived to torrential
rain for the whole week. Last year he finished 11th in his age
group. This year over 30 countries and 50 states participated
with only the top 60 actually playing in the final.
There
were over 800 qualifiers in the 6 & under age group. Bryce
played at the Spotswood Course. The competition was extremely
fierce and Bryce finished in 23 rd place. He unfortunately had
a disastrous 10 on the Par 4 , 5th hole having landed in some
heavy rough. Bryce also played with a middle ear infection and
insisted on continuing despite the discomfort. The determination
of Bryce has left us parents extremely proud of his performance.
This
was the first time he ever played in rain and under the lift,
clean and place rule which was in play due to the weather. In
comparison to last year, the Americans as well as countries from
the Far East have accelerated their game to new levels. Some children
practice 5 hours a day and play some 35 tournaments a year in
their respective age groups. Much of the practice takes place
on the course itself rather than the range.
Hopefully
the golfing authorities in South Africa will be implementing the
yardage by age concept soon in order for the children to play
more competitive golf.
World Championships 2002 - WILLIAMSBURG
VIRGINIA USA AUGUST 2002
"Bryce
McConnel Burke has just returned from the United States where
he competed in the World Junior Golf Championship. The championship
took place in the historical town of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
which is situated on the James River. Bryce is a pupil at Crawford
Pre-Primary, Lonehill in Grade 0
Bryce competed in the 6 and under division of the championship.
The first day Bryce recorded a 35 (1 under) and was lying 4 shots
off the leader. The leading groups ages were 6 ½ and some were
nearly 7. Bryce held his own, and although still only 5 years
old completed the second round with a 2 over 38. This resulted
in a closing score of 73 (1 over). It was good enough for tied
6th place and on count out 11th overall. Bryce's parents went
over hoping for a Top 20 finish at most and by finishing tied
6th was tremendous effort. Bryce is effectively ranked number
1 in the world for the age group under 6 after this finish as
all the children who finished ahead of Bryce were over the age
of 6. In the practice round Bryce recorded his first ever Albatross
on the 5th hole Par 5 and this contributed to him recording his
best ever score for 9 holes (a 31). The different age groups play
from various tee positions from the green. The 6 & Under play
a Par 5 at 150 metres, 120 metres for Par 4. This system is widely
adopted throughout the world and the likes of tiger Woods, Phil
Mickelson and David Duval have benefited from it.
The players had to endure 41º temperatures with a humidity factor
of 90%. However the parents ensured he was well replenished with
water and PowerAde. Over 500 children played qualifying tournaments
throughout the world and players were represented from some 50
states in America as well as Mexico, North Korea, China, UK, Canada,
Paraguay, New Zealand, Sweden and many others. This prestigious
event attracted top players such as Cheyenne Woods (Tiger Woods
niece), Ivan Lendl's daughter, Isabelle as well as the sons of
Chip Beck and Scott Simpson. Only the Top 60 played in the finals
and therefore believe Bryce has the caliber to go on and achieve
many awards in the future. Bryce was accompanied by his caddie
(Dad) as well as his mom. The parents are extremely proud of his
achievements and still cannot believe the fine performance of
Bryce"
)
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)
)
