CONGRATULATIONS ZUBIN CHANDRA AND PYAE PHYO “KENNETH” THU
WINNERS OF THE HURRICANE JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT
AT CELEBRATION GOLF CLUB ON OCTOBER 8 & 9, 2016
First place champions are recognized post tournament with Gary Gilchrist
Pictured Above: Pyae Phyo “Kenneth” Thu, Gary Gilchrist and Zubin Chandra
The Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy brought home two wins and three top three finishes at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tournament on October 8th and 9th, 2016. Celebration Golf Club is the award-winning centerpiece located in Celebration, Florida and hosted the two-day junior tournament that welcomed elite junior golfers from all over the world.
Despite Hurricane Matthew lingering off the coast of Florida, the HJGT Academy Cup took place but did present junior golfers with some challenges, including a course that was wet, with more wind than usual and slower greens. Despite these conditions, GGGA students stayed focused and kept a positive attitude. “Overall the students were able to focus as a group on what they could control, on what they needed to do and how to adjust to the situations.” said David Shenosky, GGGA Golf Coach. “The students showed trust in their training.”
First place champions receive custom GGGA red tournament hats for their wins.
Pictured Above: Zubin Chandra, Pyae Phyo “Kenneth” Thu
The HJGT Academy Cup is a kick off tournament for the Fall full-time program junior golf season and for some Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy students this was their first experience in the competitive environment. “Being the first tournament of the year the students had a lot of excitement to get into the competition.” said Bryan Mulry, Director of Golf, “We have a growing mindset of being positive, working hard, doing your best, and never giving up… the students look very professional… it’s very impressive.” Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy brought 35 students to the HJGT Academy Cup, bringing home two first place wins and three top placements.
Zubin Chandra, First Place Boy’s 16-18 Division
Zubin Chandra, 16 years old from Singapore, took first place in the Boy’s 16-18 Division and credits mental coaching to the win at the HJGT Academy Cup. “Along with (the) coaching staff, we worked really hard on my attitude this week, getting myself into a positive attitude… A competitive mindset, and definitely building enough confidence to win this event.” Zubin dazzled on round two with 5 birdies, leading the tournament overall by +1 stroke. Zubin wrapped up the final round on Sunday with a 1 under par 71 for a two day total of 145.
Pyae Phyo “Kenneth” Thu, 1st Place Boys 14-15 Division
The focus on mental training was an important theme to all GGGA students at the HJGT Academy Cup. “Working with Gary Gilchrist and my coach.. they taught me to be patient and positive.” says Pyae Phyo “Kenneth” Thu, who won first place in the Boy’s 14-15 Division. Kenneth, 14 years old from Mandalay, Myanmar led his division with an impressive 3 stroke win, finishing the tournament with a strong 3 over par.
John Daly II, 3rd Place Boys 11-13 Division
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy brought in another exciting three showings from the 2016 HJGT Academy Cup. John Daly II, 13 years old from Clearwater, Florida, placed third in his division of Boys 11-13. The 2016 HJGT was John’s first Academy Cup. “It was really fun,” said John, “and I think I played really well.” John is excited to be training full time at GGGA while attending Montverde Academy in Clermont.
Pin Wen “Nicole” Lu, 2nd Place Girls 14-18 Division
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy girl’s division brought home two top threes in the 2016 HJGT Academy Cup in the Girls 14-18 Division. Pin Wen “Nicole” Lu, 16 years old from Taipei, Taiwan, placed second in her division. On Celebration Golf Club’s Hole 7, Nicole holed an impressive 12 foot right to left breaking putt. “It really kept my momentum going in the game.” Nicole said. Nicole credits Gary Gilchrist and the coaching staff for working on her golf strategy training saying, “it helped me go in and keep me confident.”
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy’s Isabella Cardenas placed 3rd in the Girls Division 14-18 at the 2016 HJGT Academy Cup. Isabella’s favorite shot of the HJGT tournament was on Hole 14. “My chip on number 14 on the first day… I missed the green but then I chipped it in for the birdie,” says Isabella, “I was so happy because my coach was there!”
GGGA Girls Team Excited for the Fall Tournament Season
Pictured Above: Zhiying “Cindy” Zhou, Jay Hsin “Jessie” Lin, Thin Wai Khang, Pin Wen “Nicole” Lu
Gary Gilchrist and the GGGA coaching staff worked with the students throughout the HJGT Academy Cup. Students always had their best resource of superior guidance for every play during the tournament. The commitment to the students success is one of many highlights that makes Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy the best junior golf academy environment. GGGA allows junior golfers to reach their true potential and ‘Train like a Champion!’ Visit www.ggga.com for more information and to sign up for future blog posts, newsletters and tournament highlights.
Zubin Chandra – 74/71/Final 145 (1)
Pyae Phyo “Kenneth” Thu – 74/73/Final 147 (1)
John Daly II – 79/79/Final 157 (3)
Thin “Nicole” Lu – 75/73/ Final 148 (2)
Isabella Cardenas – 74/77/Final 151 (3)
