1999 JGA Player of the Year Announced

17 year old Kevin Kremer has been selected as the 1999 Junior Golf Association Player of the Year.  Kevin is the son of George and Sue Kremer of Kalamazoo. He will graduate from Kalamazoo Central HS this spring, where he was named to the Division I All-State golf team behind the strength of his 5th place finish in the state finals. He is planning on continuing his golf career at Grand Valley State this fall.

He edged out Brandon Lepley of Paw Paw by shooting a 70 in the season-ending event at Eastern Hills.  His 70 was highlighted by a fine 31 on the front side, including birdies on 5 of the first 6 holes.  Kevin also tied for 3rd at Prairiewood with a 79 and tied for 5th with a 77 at Indian Run.

Lepley, also 17, had a great season winning at Prairiewood with a 76, finishing 2nd at both Indian Run and Milham Park, shooting a 75 and 77 respectively, and finished 9th at the season-ending event at Eastern Hills with a 78.  Other notable players include Ryan Gibbs, 16,  who finished 2nd at Indian Run with a 75, 3rd at Eastern Hills with a 75, and 3rd at Prairiewood with a 79, and Rob Charter, 17, who won the only event he entered, at Indian Run with an even par 72.

There was also some fine play in the younger divisions.  Patricia Monroe, 13, won 3 of her 4 events and finished 2nd in the other in the 13 -14 girls age division, shooting scores of 37, 53, 48, 48.  William Stark dominated the boys 13-14 division, winning at Hickory Ridge (67) and Prairiewood (77), finishing 2nd at Eastern Hills (82) and 8th at Pine View (86).  Rachel Eberhard won all 3 girls 11-12 events she entered, shooting 44 at Hickory Ridge, 43 at Grand Prairie and 42 at Kalamazoo Country Club's Short Course. The boys 11-12 winners included Ryan Zwier at Hickory Ridge (36), Isaac Stein at Grand Prairie (34), Todd Evans at Eastern Hills (39) and Trevor Klein at KCC (31).

The JGA had another successful season with 435 participants.  Thanks go out to the area golf courses for their support of the program.  Hickory Ridge, Ridgeview, Prairiewood, Indian Run, Pine View, Kalamazoo CC, Grand Prairie, Eastern Hills and Milham Park were all very supportive in hosting events. Special thanks go out to all the volunteers who donate their time to make the program a success.