2010 Northern Junior Set for August 9th – 10th

The 2010 Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior will be played August 9th – 10th at Timberlin Golf Club in Berlin, Connecticut. The event will once again be sanctioned by the US Challenge Cup and the Connecticut Section PGA, and will be ranked by Golfweek and National Junior Golf Scoreboard.

The Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior is now in its 9th year, and our 2010 event promises to be the best yet. We are proud to announce that our event will join an elite list of events ranked by the Golfweek/Titleist junior rankings. The Golfweek/Titleist rankings are considered the standard for junior golf rankings and are traditionally very selective with the events that they rank. Our 2009 event featured some of the best players from across New England and New York and we are pleased that Golfweek has elected to recognize our event.

We are also extremely excited to announce that the AJGA will recognize the Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior in their Performance Based Entry system. The 2010 Boys and Girls Champions will receive 1 AJGA exemption, and the top 5 Boys will receive 1 AJGA performance star. The AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) is considered the premier junior golf tour in the country, and consequently, their events are very difficult to play in. The AJGA’s Performance Based Entry allows players to earn exemptions based on their play in other comparable events. We are thrilled that we will be able to provide an opportunity for juniors to earn AJGA exemptions and further their efforts towards earning college golf scholarships.

Last year's Northern Junior ended in dramatic fashion, with Michael Griffin and Katie Partridge crowned champion by a single shot. Griffin, a Torrington, Conn. native, shot a final round 71 to best John Jackopsic by one. Jackopsic recorded the low round of the tournament with a final round 68 (-4), and finished more than an hour ahead of the final group. As overnight leader Monte Mullen struggled early, a group of players would hold the lead throughout the day. Timberlin’s own Alex DiClemente would hold the lead through 9 holes, and defending champion Ryan Lee, who started the day 4 shots behind, would get to within 1 of the lead before falling back to a tie for fourth. However, it was Griffin’s steady play and a back nine of 34 that would give him the title. Griffin, a rising Senior, will be eligible to defend his title next year.

The Girls Championship also provided drama and excitement on the final day. Katie Partridge of Bloomfield, Conn. entered the final round with a 4 shot lead. However, through only 8 holes, Partridge’s lead was completely erased and Erica Barnes of Berlin, Conn. owned a share of the lead. Partridge and Barnes would trade punches through the back nine, but Barnes unfortunate bogey 5 on the par-4 17th would give Partridge a one shot lead going into the last hole. A par-4 on the difficult 18th proved to be enough for a hard earned victory. Partridge, also a rising Senior, will be eligible to defend her title next year.

Applications for the 2010 Northern Junior will be released March 15th, 2010. Players will be able to apply both online and by mail, and all applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.