9 Phoenix-Area Junior Golfers Named Rolex Junior All-Americans

Nine junior golfers from the Valley of the Sun were named Rolex Junior All-Americans by the American Junior Golf Association Tues., thus joining an esteemed collection of current & former top-level junior golfers from around the world. Additionally, 2 Scottsdale natives, Philip Francis & Esther Choe, were named the boy & girl Rolex Junior Player of the Year, respectively.

The remainder of the honorees include: Drew Kittleson, Tim McKenney & Taylore Karle of Scottsdale, Andrew Yun & Richard Lee of Chandler, & Kimberly Kim & Kristen Schelling of Mesa.

Introduced by the AJGA in 1978, the Rolex Junior All-America Teams annually recognize those players who have established themselves as the world’s premier junior golfers. This year’s selections distinguished themselves through their outstanding play in 63 national events, 52 of which were conducted by the AJGA. In 2006, the Rolex Junior All-America Teams were determined exclusively through the Polo Golf Rankings for the 1st time.

The teams are comprised of 96 junior golfers, ages 13-19, from 20 states & 3 foreign countries. These standouts will be recognized Nov. 19th, during the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet held at The Cloister in Sea Island, Ga.

Former Rolex Junior All-Americans comprise the top players on both the PGA & LPGA Tours. Of the PGA TOUR’s current top-10 money leaders, Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Trevor Immelman & David Toms were all Rolex Junior All-Americans. Of the LPGA Tour’s top-10 in earnings, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Hee-Won Han & Paula Creamer were named Rolex Junior All-Americans as junior golfers before working their way to the top of the pay-for-play ranks. Other notable profesional AJGA alumni who help make up the list of past Rolex Junior All-Americans include Rory Sabbatini, Stewart Cink, Brett Quigley, Lucas Glover, Brittany Lincicome, Sherri Steinhauer, Julieta Granada & Morgan Pressel.