Austin Minnesota American Junior Golf Association Tournament underway at Austin Country Club

The Austin, Minnesota American Junior Golf Association Tournament is underway at the Austin Country Club, and the tournament is featuring players from not only all around the state of Minnesota, but also from around the United States and the world, as well, including such countries as France, Singapore, Canada, China, New Zealand, and Norway.

American Junior Golf Association tournaments are open to amatuer boys and girls golfers ages 12 to 19, and in the boys competition, Asher Vargas, a sophomore-to-be from Spring Texas is in first place with a score of -3, as he fired an even-par 72 on Day 1 of the tournament Wednesday, and is -3 through 14 holes in the final round today (Thursday).  Andy Yu, a senior-to-be from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Piers Pellier, a native of France and a sophomore-to-be from Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and Lunden Esterline, who will be a freshman this coming school year from Andover, Kansas are all tied at two strokes back at -1, while Braeden Nelson, a sophomore-to-be from West Des Moines, Iowa, and Logan Mills, who will be a junior this school year from Atherton, California are tied for fifth at even par.  Austin’s own Elijah Krueger, who will be a sophomore this coming school year qualified for the tournament on Tuesday and is in 59th place after shooting an opening round 80 Wednesday, and he was +8 for his round at last check on Thursday.

In the girls competition, Grace Zahn, a junior-to-be from Auckland, New Zealand shot a two-day total of -1 143 to earn first place, followed by Zixin Ni, a native of China and a sophomore-to-be from Los Angeles, California two strokes back in second with rounds of 69 and 76 for a two-day total of 145.  Tianyu Wei, a fellow native of China where she will be a junior this coming school year and Elisabeth Borsheim, a native of Norway and a junior-to-be from Sarasota, Florida tied for third at +3 147, and there was a five-way tie for fifth place at +6 between Elizabeth Sullivan from Atlanta, Georgia, Nicole Reineke, a senior-to-be from Chaska, Minnesota, Jessica Guiser of Hartland, Wisconsin, Rianne Li from Auckland, New Zealand, and Hazel Cottriel from Costa Mesa, California.  Austin’s own Aliani Thiravong, who will be a freshman this coming school year qualified for the tournament on Tuesday and shot a two-day total of 170, which was good for 31st place.

The tournament is the fifth this summer for the American Junior Golf Association, with a host of other tournaments and qualifiers to be held around the country until the season concludes with the Amundi Evian Showcase for senior girls to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada December 2nd through the 4th.