The International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) hosted the PURE Grips Shootout at Troon North Golf Club, May 11-12. The Scottsdale heat played a factor as the competitors trudged up and down the hills on the Monument Course at Troon North. Two champions were crowned giving their mothers an unforgettable Mother’s Day present.

Michael Christifulli of Paradise Valley, AZ., earned his first IJGT title of the season after putting together a gritty final-round score of 5-over-par 77. On Saturday, Christfulli got off to a hot start going 1-under-par in his first eight holes. After an even-par 36 on the front nine, he ran into a few obstacles on the difficult back nine to finish with a score of 3-over-par 75.

Christifulli was not alone atop the leaderboard after Saturday’s round. TJ Kathrineberg of Mesa, AZ., had a share of the lead with a 3-over-par 75. Both players earned KENTWOOL Socks Lo-Pro Award honors with their first-round score.

Sunday was a tough day for scoring conditions as the round from Saturday physically drained many of the competitors. The Monument Course tests your playing ability as well as your physical ability. Christifulli was determined to come up with the victory because he wanted redemption after not being able to play in the PURE Grips Junior Open back on Dec 8-9, 2012 at Troon North – Pinnacle Course. Down the stretch, Christifulli made two key birdies on the back nine that gave him the cushion he needed to secure the victory.

Coming in second place was Thomas Avant of Chandler, AZ., finishing with a tournament total of 158. Finishing in a tie for third place were Jackson Whisenhunt of Phoenix, AZ., and TJ Kathrineberg of Mesa, AZ., carding a 159 tournament score over the weekend.

In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Mason Nam of Scottsdale, AZ, ran away with his first IJGT title after putting together a solid final-round score of 5-over-par 77. Nam got off to a slow start on Saturday carding a front-nine score of 5-over-par 41. Things turned around quickly on the back nine where Nam made three birdies en route to a 2-under-par 34. His score of 3-over-par 75 earned him KENTWOOL Socks Lo-Pro Award honors.

On Sunday, Nam got off to a great start playing his first 12 holes in 1-over-par. His fellow competitors could not match his great start giving Nam a clear path to victory.

Finishing in a tie for second place were Cole Shintaku of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Moibhi Tyndall of Mountain View, CA., with scores of 162.

The Clazic Belts Low Final Round Award went to the champions Christifulli and Nam for their scores of 5-over-par 77.

To obtain more information about the IJGT, please visit www.IJGT.com/info or call 888.936.5327.

PURE Grips Shootout at Troon North
Scottsdale, Arizona, May 11-12, 2013

Boys 15-19 Division – (Gold Tees) Monument Course: 6,846 Yards, Par 72
1. Michael Christifulli, Paradise Valley, AZ *75-77--152
2. Thomas Avant, Chandler, AZ *78-80--158
3. TJ Kathrineberg, Mesa, AZ *75-84--159
3. Jackson Whisenhunt, Phoenix, AZ *77-82--159
5. Michael Marreel, Chandler, AZ *83-80--163
6. Zachary Wagner, San Diego, CA *84-82--166
6. Ryan Tanner, Tucson, AZ *81-85--166
8. Ryan Sullivan, Cottonwood, AZ *85-83--168
9. Gary Baker, Cornviile, AZ *92-83--175
10. Josh Nadler, Chandler, AZ *87-96--183
 
Boys 14 & Under Division – (Silver Tees) Monument Course: 6,037 Yards, Par 72
1. Mason Nam, Scottsdale, AZ *75-77--152
2. Cole Shintaku, Honolulu, HI *77-85--162
2. Moibhi Tyndall, Mountain View, CA *81-81--162
4. Mikee Ordona, Upland, CA *93-84--177
5. Adam Quandt, Lahaina, HI *87-95--182