Late qualifier wins Glenwild Junior

PARK CITY — Last week Peter Ahn and his father jumped in their car in Victoria, British Columbia, and made the 20-hour drive to Utah. Even though he wasn't guaranteed a spot, the 17-year-old Ahn made the long trip in hopes of playing in the AJGA Glenwild Junior golf tournament at Glenwild Golf Club.

He earned his way into the field of 84 on Sunday at Park Meadows and by the time the 54-hole tournament ended Thursday, Ahn was the one holding the crystal trophy with a four-shot victory over Delta's Jordan Fowles.

In winning, Ahn became the first qualifier ever to win an American Junior Golf Association event and in the process smashed the Glenwild course record with a 4-under par 67. That left him with a three-round total of 214 on the scenic and challenging Glenwild layout.

"It feels great to win," said Ahn. "I drove all the way down here just to qualify. It turned out great. Everything was perfect."

Ahn vaulted past Tyler Smith, who had led after the first two rounds. Smith, a 16-year-old from San Juan Capristano, Calif., struggled to a 76 in the final round and tied for fourth with Jake Yount of Danville, Calif., at 222. Drew Kittleson, of Scottsdale, Ariz., was third at 221.

In the Girls' Division, Shannon Yocum, 17, of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., led from start to finish and won the trophy after a 78 Thursday, which gave her a three-day total of 227. She beat Brooke Todare by two shots, in capturing her first-ever AJGA victory.

Fowles, who was playing in his first AJGA event, stayed right with Ahn for most of the day, but dropped three strokes on the last four holes

"I scored pretty well, but I didn't hit it that well," said Fowles. "It's OK I guess, but I'd like to get a win."

Going into the 15th hole, Ahn was just one shot ahead of Fowles, but his his approach shot from 80 yards to within three feet and sank the birdie.

Both players parred the long par-5 16th hole with Fowles needing a 15-foot save and the margin was two with two to play.

At the par-3 17th, Fowles hit his tee shot to within eight feet, while Ahn was 20 feet away. It looked like Fowles could cut the margin to one, but Ahn sank his putt and Fowles missed, making it a three-shot lead heading into the final hole.

Fowles will play at Junior World in San Diego next month and will play at the State Amateur if he qualifies today at Carbon CC. He'll try another AJGA event in August in Phoenix. Ahn will be able to play in AJGA events without qualifying thanks to his win this week.

Among the other eight Utahns in the tournament, Dane Jensen of Pleasant Grove had the best finish, tied for seventh at 224. Orem's Daniel Reid finished at 232 and Park City's Steele DeWald came in at 233. No Utah girls competed in the girls' 20-player field.

Glenwild head pro Mark Auerlich said his club plans to host the AJGA event again next summer.

---

E-mail: sor@desnews.com