Mallard Creek’s PGA Jr. League Team Is Headed Back to the National Championship
2017 marks the third consecutive year the Mallard Creek All-Stars will compete in the National Championship
Columbia Station, OH – For the third consecutive time, Mallard Creek’s PGA Junior League team will be heading to Arizona to compete in the National Championship against seven other teams from across the country.
Getting to the National Championship is no small feat, with more than 3,400 teams comprising 42,000 plus junior golfers competing for just eight spots. And to do this three years in a row is an accomplishment in and of itself!
“It has been great to watch these kids play great but also come together as a team. In a sport that is normally an individual game, it is awesome to watch them develop a sense that goals of the team are more important than their individual play. We can see why the Ryder Cup is played with so much passion,” reflected coach and PGA Professional, Jim Wise following the team’s fantastic performance so far this season.
2017 Season Recap
Local League Play at Mallard Creek:
Children between the ages of 8-13 are able to sign up and play in the PGA Junior League. The league involved both practices and matches. The 12-week regular season allows junior golfers to improve their game, meet lifelong friends and teaches teamwork above all else.
This season at Mallard Creek, we had 72 junior golfers sign up – the most we have ever had! From those 72 junior golfers, 6 teams are formed who play matches against each other throughout the season.
Post-Season Play:
From the 72 junior golfers who are involved in the league, a post-season team of 12 golfers is formed following the completion of the league season.
Teams are then seeded into post-season brackets and play against other leagues’ all-star teams. The Mallard Creek All-Stars got out to a quick start this year, winning six matches to once again secure their title as Ohio State Champions.
After winning the state championship, the team headed to regionals. Regionals, the last tournament before the National Championship, are where the competition steps up.
The Mallard Creek All-Stars would step up to the task at hand, and won all three of their matches at regionals to win the Midwest Regional. They defeated Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana en route to punching their ticket to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Mallard Creek’s All-Star Team Players:
Nicholas Piesen, Solomon Petrie, Jack Vojtko, Tyler Sabo, Preston Trumpler, Nolan Haynes, MJ Myers, Madison Reemsnyder, Ben Skrpac, Kyle Salamon, Dean Upholzer and Bryan Stone.
The National Championship:
The National Championship will once again be held at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. The tournament will begin on November 15 and finish on November 19.
The eight teams qualifying for the 2017 National Championship are:
New Hampshire, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Arkansas, Texas, Georgia and Ohio.
PGA Jr. League and Mallard Creek History
The PGA Junior League first began in 2011 with 16 teams making up 170 players. In just seven years, participation has jumped to 3,400 teams consisting of more than 42,000 junior league golfers.
Unlike many other junior golf outlets, the PGA Junior League allows players to compete in a team setting while improving their own skills.
Mallard Creek’s Junior PGA League Through the Years:
2015:
- 12 players on Mallard Creek’s first ever PGA Junior League team
- Went undefeated in league play
- Post-season team made it to the National Championship and finished fourth in the nation.
2016:
- 60 players total
- Formed a stand-alone Mallard Creek league of six teams
- Qualified for the National Championship and finished third in the nation
2017:
- 72 players total
- Won Ohio State Championship
- Undefeated at regional versus Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana
- Returning to National Championship in Arizona for third consecutive year.