Empire Staters Finish in Top Ten at 2020 AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. – The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) hosted its year-end invitational known as the Rolex Tournament of Champions.
The 43rd annual invitational (for ages 12-19) was played at PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion & Fazio Courses from November 23-28.
Related: Final Results / Tournament Homepage
Representing New York State was Luke Sample of Old Oaks Golf Club in the Boys’ Division and Bailey Shoemaker of Seven Oaks Golf Club in the Girls’ Division. They were both invited after they both were recognized on AJGA All-America Second Teams for the 2020 season.
The format was 72 holes of stroke play, with the courses lengthened to around 7,000+ yards for the Boys’ and 6,300+ yards for the Girls’. The field consisted of the top 144 junior golfers from around the world.
Sample shot even-par rounds the first two days, and 4-under in each of the final two rounds to finish in 7th at 8-under 278. This was the NYC resident’s second appearance in the Tournament of Champions, finishing in a tie for 44th last season at 9-over 295.
West Edmeston’s Shoemaker kept two rounds under par, and secured a 10th place finish at 1-over 289. Shoemaker last appeared in the championship in 2018, where she was the youngest player in the field and finished tied for 63rd.
