MY EXPERIENCE AT THE 2013 U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP ❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❘

By PJ Samiere

My participation in the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Martis Camp Resort in Truckee, Calif., was the highlight of my junior golfing career so far. This tourna-ment was the most professional and well organized sporting event I have ever been a part of.

From the entrance gate of this exclusive resort to the staff-guided tour during player registration, I was amazed at every turn and enjoyed every moment. After completing registration, players were further welcomed with an iPod Nano gift and introduced to the full Martis Camp VIP clubhouse treatment. Players were allowed full access to the men’s locker room and golf services which included a private locker (with player’s name) shoe and club repair and all the Haagen-Dazs ice cream one could eat.

The high-altitude mountain setting of this course was unique in several ways. The course conditions were incred-ible and almost seemed better than the courses I have seen on the PGA Tour. The facilities were dream-like, from the multi-million dollar properties along the fairways to the clubhouse, which is the second largest in Northern Califor-nia. Although the thin air at this altitude affected my lungs differently, it also gave the ball more hangtime, making the 7,400-yard course play somewhat shorter.

I did play well throughout the tournament and could not really expect much more of myself. I made the cut and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals, where I lost to the eventual tournament winner. Our match was close and the lead traded back and forth, however my opponent played well enough to collect six birdies during the match to edge me out at 3 and 2. Making the Round of 8 on the country’s biggest golf stage was pleasing and to be featured on the Golf Channel was great. I was featured on live TV playing the uphill par-4 16th hole, where I was able to drive the green from 311 yards. Mark Rolfing was commentating and gave a nice narrative during video of me walking up the 16th hole fairway, mentioning the HSJGA hat I wore and the “Hawaii” logo golf bag on my caddie. Mr. Rolfing’s mention of “the junior golf association in Hawaii” made me more proud of where I was from and how far I had come. Of all the birdies and eagles I carded during play, this may have been the “cherry on top” moment of my entire journey.

I was fortunate to have several things simply go my way in Truckee though. We hadn’t signed up for a caddie, but arrived to a weather system of record high heat levels beating down on a very hilly and long course. After learning of the caddie shortage during registration, we came across a Martis Camp staff member who was happy to meet and talk with us. He happened to be a scratch golfer at this course and had hoped to caddie at this tourna-ment. He was allowed to alter his work schedule to caddie for me, which eventually made a huge difference in my outcome. This chance happening reminded me to be open to others and always grateful for any help I receive along the way.

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