By Roy J. Akers- Sky View Sports.net
Linden, Mich. – The Randy Wise Automotive (18th year as sponsor) AJGA Open every year crowns two outstanding junior golfers who desire to play college golf and many players hope one day to make the show. The boys and girls divisions were won this year by players who took two different routes to win the championship.
Girls Champion
Jodie Han (Class of 2028) took on all comers including incoming college freshman and won her duel down the stretch with Celina Yeo (2026) to win her second AJGA championship. Han birdied three of the last five holes and fired a tournament low (72-71-68-211 -5) to take home the crystal trophy. Celina Yeo of London, Ontario had a pair of double bogeys on the 14th and 18th holes and proved to be the difference.
Boys
While Jodie Han dug deep on the girls side, the boys felt the pressure and despite Cooper Reitsma’s late charge, Matthew Novak’s large lead going into the final round prevailed at Spring Meadows. Novak was (-7) after the first two rounds with a (70-67) but had five bogeys on the day including three starting with the par three 13th. Novak finished the final day with a one over (73). Meanwhile, Reitsma made it interesting with an eagle on the 502 yard par five second hole and added four birdies in the final round. With little room for error, three bogeys on the back side ended his chance and Novak’s large lead going into the final day gives him the victory.
Final Day great rounds
Of the 42 junior players that played on the boys side, on seven golfers were under par including Drew Schauenberg (2025) He fired a four under 68 and took a one over on the round to a four under with five birdies on the back nine.
Only three girls were under par in round three as the greens were dressed to impress. Both low rounds of 68 belonged to golfers from Ohio. Tian Meadow (2026) had a clean scorecard with four birdies. She finished in third place after having an opening round of 75.
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporterĀ and covers several sports forĀ www.skyviewsports.net