Bluffton, SC - This week the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) returned to Eagle's Pointe Golf Club for another thrilling event.  Best known for its uniquely designed putting surfaces, Eagle's Pointe served as the perfect host for some of the area's best junior golfers.  With each separate hole featuring pines, oaks, and native wetlands, the Davis Love III signature course proved to be a formidable challenge for all of this week's players. 

In the Boys 16-19 Division, coming in second place was Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (Hank Haney IJGA) student Antonio Ferrer (Porto Cristo, Spain).  Ferrer carded an amazing 69 on Saturday and followed with a 75 on Sunday.  Ferrer finished 2-over-par with a score of 144.  In a highly competitive division, Hank Haney IJGA student Jordan Botelho (Mattapoisett, MA) finished in a tie for third place with a score of 146.

Coming all the way down to the 36^th hole, Hank Haney IJGA student Chang Ju Lee (Seoul, South Korea) held off the rest of the field to capture the crown in the Boys 13-15 Division.  Lee posted rounds of 77 and 83 to finish with a score of 160.  Coming in a close second was Hank Haney IJGA student J.J. Qualkenbush (La Quinta, CA).  Qualkenbush fired rounds of 80 and 81 to finish 1-stroke short of the title with a total of 161. To complete the sweep for Hank Haney IJGA, current student Matthew Moucharafieh (Beirut, Lebanon) finished in third place with a respectable score of 164. 

Happy to get his first victory on the IJGT, Lee took a minute to talk about the experience.  'It was so awesome to win this week.  It was perfect.  I have been working on my swing and it was great to see my work pay off.' 

Coming off multiple top 3 finishes in previous weeks, Hank Haney IJGA student Derrick Villarreal (Hartland, WI) broke through the wall this week to take home first place honors in the Boys U-12 Division.  Villarreal fired consecutive rounds of 71 and 73 and would not be denied the victory.  Villarreal finished with a 2-over-par score of 144. Hank Haney IJGA student Kevin Ying (Shanghai, China) finished with a score of 172 to take home third place honors.

No stranger to the winner's circle, Villarreal sat down with us talk about what went well for him over the weekend.  'I thought my approach shots into the greens were the strongest part of my game this weekend.  I was able to put myself in a good position to make some putts.'

Winning for the second time in as many weeks, Hank Haney IJGA student Momo Sakuragi (Tokyo, Japan) continued her recent stellar play to capture the first place crown in the Girls 15-19 Division.  Sakuragi fired back-to-back rounds of 72 to set herself apart from the rest of the field. Second place honors went to Hank Haney IJGA student Ann Kathrin Wuensch (Herrenburg, Germany).  Wuensch tallied up two impressive rounds firing a 72 on Saturday and following it up with a 76 on Sunday. Wuensch finished with a 148 tournament total.  Coming in third place was Hank Haney IJGA student Madison Alexander (Jonesborough, TN).

Ecstatic with her recent play, we caught up with Sakuragi to talk about her winning streak.  'It feels great to win 2 weeks in a row.  I am very pleased with the way I have been playing. I have been trying to key in on my lag putts and improving my overall short game.  I also have been working on my full swing and keeping it consistent.'