The American Junior Golf Assoication (AJGA) has increased the Performance Based Entry (PBE) status for the 2011 Northern Junior. AJGA Exemptions for top finishers in the 2011 Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior will be as follows:
Boys Champion: 2 AJGA Exemptions
Boys Top 5: 1 AJGA Exemption
Girls Champion: 1 AJGA Exemption
Girls Top 3: 1 Performance Star
With the increased PBE status, the Northern Junior is recognized as the most prestigious independent national junior tournament in New England and is the only independent event to offer multiple AJGA exemptions to top finishers. The decision from the AJGA comes after the 2010 Northern Junior featured one of the strongest junior fields in the Northeast. Last year’s field featured players from seven states and Canada and the top 16 consisted of players from six different states. The Boys Champion, Andy Mai, also won the Massachusetts Junior, Connecticut PGA Championship and lost in a playoff at the New England Junior. The field also featured the 2010 Connecticut Boys and Girls Junior Champions (Monte Mullen and Elizabeth Divincentis), the 2009 Connecticut Junior Champion (Alex Diclemente), and the 2009 New England Junior Champion (Seth Sweet).
In addition, the 2011 Boys Champion will receive automatic invitations to the 2011 Bobby Chapman Junior (Sept. 17th-18th, Spartanburg, SC) and Joe Cheves Invitational (Aug. 27th-28th, Morganton, NC) and 2012 International Junior Masters (June 25th-30th, Aurora, NY). The Girls Champion and Boys Runner-Up will also receive invitations to the 2011 Joe Cheves Invitational (Sept. 17th-18th, Morganton, NC). If you are not familiar with these events, they are three of the best junior events in the country. Many of the players on the PGA and LPGA Tour’s played in these events during their junior days and some notable past players include Jim Furyk, Tim Clark, Trevor Immelman, Camilo Villegas, Lucas Glover, Corrine Carr and Amber Littman.
The 2011 Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior will also be contested at a new site for the first time in its 10 year history. Ellington Ridge Country Club in Ellington, Connecticut has played host to numerous prestigious events, including three Connecticut Open Championships, the 2008 Connecticut Amateur and the UCONN Connecticut Cup. “I am pleased with our new site, Ellington Ridge.” said Kevin Josephson, Director of Course Set-Up. ” As a tournament that is looking to stand out in every way possible, I believe moving to a venue with superior conditions and an excellent practice facility was a much needed change. Ellington Ridge, like Timberlin, will be a fantastic venue for all the competitors.” The 2011 Northern Junior will be held August 1st-2nd with the Players Banquet and Opening Ceremonies held on Sunday, July 31st.