July 25th, 2012
For Immediate Release:
Article by Cody Paladino, Director of Media Relations
Final Results: Boys Championship | Girls Championship
The final round of the 2012 Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior concluded this afternoon at Ellington Ridge Country Club, and it proved to be perhaps the most thrilling finish in the event’s eleven year history. In the Boys Championship, Will Essigs of New Canaan, Connecticut claimed a two shot victory after posting a one under par total of 143, and Megan Khang of Rockland, Massachusetts claimed a four shot victory in the Girls Championship, posting a three over par total of 147.
Essigs emerged as this year’s champion after a grueling final round battle, during which seven different players either held or shared the lead. After the par 5 13th hole, Essigs found himself at one over par for the Championship and three shots behind eventual runner up Timothy Colanta. “I just kept telling myself that although there are lots of birdie holes, there are also lots of places you can get in trouble,” Essigs said. Essigs stuck to his aggressive game plan and proceeded to birdie the next three holes in a row, moving to two under for the Championship after the 16th hole. A bogey at the closing hole moved Essigs back to one under, enough for a two shot victory over Patrick Hallisey of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Timothy Colanta of Championsgate, Florida, and the 2011 Northern Junior Champion Nick Fairweather of Windham, New Hampshire.
Essigs remarked “It hasn’t really set in yet that I’ve won the Northern Junior, it’s such a competitive field every year and this definitely gives me a lot of confidence moving forward. It’s cool to win.”
In the Girls Championship, Megan Khang of Rockland, Massachusetts overcame strong winds and a strong field of competitors to claim a four shot victory, posting a three over par total of 147. Her round of two under par 70 was the lowest round posted today by any competitor from either the Boys or Girls Championship. Khang’s summer has been nothing short of spectacular, as she has already won the Connecticut Women’s Open and qualified for the US Women’s Open. “This summer has been a lot of fun, just a little hectic,” Khang said. Her final round of 70 included 5 birdies, enough to propel her to a four shot victory over runner up Nicole Scola of Westerly, Rhode Island who posted 151.
After her win, Khang said “I wasn’t really paying too much attention to score out there, I was trying to play smart, solid shots on each hole. It just feels awesome to win this tournament.” Rounding out the top 3 in the Girls Championship was Liz DiVincentis of Durham, Connecticut, who finished in third place another three shots back at 154.
This year marked the 11th playing of the Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior, an internationally recognized junior championship. The 2012 field was comprised of players from 11 different states, as well as Canada, who have not reached their 19th birthday or entered college. More information about this year’s event can be found at www.NorthernJunior.com. A very special thanks to Ellington Ridge Country Club and all of the volunteers and officials who helped to make this year’s Northern Junior a truly spectacular event.