CURRENT NEWS
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8/18/08 Sarah Brown shot a 2-under par 70 in the final round of the PGA Junior Championship Friday, to finish second, and secure a coveted spot on the 2008 United States Junior Ryder Cup Team in September. Sarah, along with 5 other American girls, and 6 boys, will compete against the European team for 2 days in September at Old Stone CC in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and then the final day on the actual US Ryder Cup Course at Valhalla. The Junior’s matches at Valhalla will be the day before the pro’s begin play. The team will arrive in Bowling Green on Friday the 12th of September, with the matches at Old Stone the following Tuesday and Wednesday, and at Valhalla on Thursday. Sarah is thrilled and honored. “I wanted to win this, but if I didn’t win, I wanted to make sure I finished second. All week, I’ve been watching kids my age represent the USA every night on TV at the Olympics, and now I get to do the exact same thing. It’s so cool." "Sarah, and her family, would like to thank all of you who have supported Sarah over the years," writes her Dad, Keith. "It seems like just yesterday that 5 year old Sarah teed it up at The Little People’s Golf Tournament in Quincy, Illinois. We are all deeply grateful." Sarah and brother David competed in Pepsi Little People's in 1997, and were joined by siblings Faith and Aaron in 1998 and 2000. We wish Sarah the best of luck in the upcoming Junior Ryder Cup Matches. You can find out more about the team here... |
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Sarah at 5 years old.
8/11/08
NOTES OF APPRECIATION
In the story below, we tell you about how our players and families helped out during the flood while in Quincy this year, and also mention that Pepsi Little People's donated $2000 to families who were devastated by the flood. Following are a couple of notes received by our River View (Canton, MO) rep:
1. Dear Linda & Little People's Golf Championships,
Thanks so much for remembering us at this time in our life. We are still struggling to recoup our home. Thanks again and please thank everyone involved!
Love and prayers,
H&G L
2. I couldn't begin to thank you enough for the wonderful gift card. It will replace many many things that we lost. Thank you very very much.
P&M L
PS -- note from Linda -- I met this lady this weekend and she showed me her shoes she had replaced as hers were ruined while fighting the flood.
(8/20/08)
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness with the gift card. I had an opportunity to meet one family who helped with sand bagging while they were here. This is a wonderful program for our youth.
God Bless, D & S S
8/04/08
"HOW MANY SANDBAGS DID YOU FILL?"
The 35th annual Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships was overshadowed this year by the severe flooding of the nearby Mississippi River.
While the rising waters did not affect the six competition golf courses directly, they did play a major part in the playing of the tournament.
Most threatened were the roads leading to River View Golf Club in Canton, MO, and the Keokuk-Hamilton bridge near Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, IL.
While the south entrance to River View was closed before the tournament started, the north entrance through the town of Canton was kept open through the diligent sandbagging efforts of the people of Canton. At one point tournament officials were concerned that if that entrance became flooded there would be a possibility of players and parents being stranded at River View, but were assured that the State Police would open an escape route.
The bridge between Keokuk, IA, where many of the 18-21 year olds were staying, and Hamilton, IL, where they were playing, was closed intermittently, forcing some of them to move to the Illinois side of the river during the tournament.
Most heartening to all of us involved in Pepsi Little People’s were the efforts of the players and parents themselves, who spent many hours after their golf rounds helping to fill sandbags in Canton and LaGrange, MO, and at the Convention Center in Quincy.
The conversation at breakfast, which normally would have been “how many putts did you make yesterday?”, was instead, “how many sandbags did you fill?”
Many parents were delighted to be able to give their children an opportunity to learn a great life lesson on the perspective of sports versus life, and the ability of people in a community to come together and help each other during a crisis.
The tournament itself, which normally donates a part of its proceeds to several charitable organizations, also donated 20 $100 gift cards to families who had been devastated by the flooding. These included:
1. A single mother of three whose home was completely lost;
2. Several families who lost their entire home and belongings;
3. A family that lost its business and whose family home was flooded;
4. A lady who always opened her door to help others, who lost her restaurant
5. A family whose home and business were flooded, who always donates and sells items to children for 5 cents at Christmas so they can give gifts to their parents and siblings,
6. And the list goes on and on.
Our hearts, sympathy and prayers go out to all of the families affected by the 2008 flood, and our deepest gratitude is extended to those parents and players who stepped in at a moment of crisis in the area to help those in need.
6/30/08
PATRICK AKANIROJ WINS AT CYC
After a top 10 finish in the 2008 Pepsi Little People's in the 3-B Division (boys 8-9) June 17-18, Patrick Akaniroj finished third in the 2008 US Kids Golf World Championships Qualifier in Illinois on June 23 in the boys 8 division, and went on to win the 2008 Country Youth Classic 3-B division in Bloomington-Normal, IL, on June 24-25.
Patrick was fortunate to have won the 2007 Country Youth Classic in the 2-B Division (boys 6-7), so now has matching First Place trophies for this tournament. Congratulations, Patrick!!!
5/13/08
CALLAWAY GOLF SUPPORTS PEPSI LITTLE PEOPLE'S
Back in 1974, Spalding agreed to furnish golf balls for the contestants in the first Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships. That tradition has continued throughout the years, through the company's transition to Spalding Sports Worldwide, Top-Flite, and now Callaway Golf. We are delighted that Callaway has chosen Pepsi Little People's as the recipient of its golf balls through the 35 years of the tournament.
This year, Scott King, Callaway Golf Representative, will have the latest Callaway golf clubs available for Little People's contestants to try at the KC Driving Range from 4 until 8 pm on Monday, June 16. This is also the site of the annual Family Celebration Picnic on the KC grounds.
5/13/08
FAMILY PICNIC HAS NEW SPONSOR
The Quincy Herald Whig and WGEM AM-FM-TV & CGEM have joined with Allstate Insurance - Bob Navolio Agency, to sponsor the Family Celebration Picnic at the KC grounds on Monday, June 16.
Festivities include an open soda bar hosted by Refreshment Services Pepsi, our major sponsor of the Pepsi Little People's for 35 years, and a buffet including fried chicken, BBQ beef, hot dogs and brats, and all the trimmings. A short program will include the presentation of trophies for the Parent-Child tournament and other awards.
Special events include the availability to try out various Callaway golf clubs, and the Amazing Andrew, who will entertain families with astonishing magic tricks.
The picnic is FREE to contestants IF a reservation is made at the Little People's office by 6 pm on Friday, June 13, and is $10 for non-contestants. Reservations forms are available by clicking on Entry Forms and Acceptance Pak in the red box on the home page of this website.
4/21/08
CARLY RAY GOLDSTEIN WINS 55TH EVENT
Carly Ray Goldstein, 13, won her 55th golf title with a victory in the 12-14 girls division of the Pompano Beach Junior Classic April 19-20.
The newly-turned 13-year-old from Coral Ridge, FL, shot a final round 2-under-par 70 on the 5133-yard course to outdistance her nearest competitor, Laura Kanouse of Boca Raton, FL, by 8 shots.
Carly Rae is the daughter of well-known golf guru Barry Goldstein, and has played in Pepsi Little People's numerous times.
Congratulations, Carly Rae!!!
4/14/08
MARGARITA RAMOS LOW AMATEUR IN MEXICO
Margarita Ramos, who won the 14-15 division at Little People's in 2004, was the low amateur in the Corona Morelia Championship at Tres Marias Residential Golf Club in Mexico, finishing in a tie for 58th with a 304 total for the four rounds.
Margarita tied with another former Little People's Player, Nicole Hage (now a pro), who won her 10-11 division at Little People's in 1997. Anna Grezbien, also a pro, and winner of her 12-13 Little People's division in 1998, finished in a tie for 54th.
Congratulations, Margarita, on an outstanding showing as an amateur -- and to Nicole and Anna on their fine finishes.
Lorena Ochoa of Mexico won the tournament with a 25-under-par 267, and qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
4/11/08
ROVING REPORTER CATCHES BEN CURTIS
Our 'roving reporter', Don Sykes, caught up with former Little People's player Ben Curtis at the Shell Houston Open in early April, and Ben kindly posed for this picture.
Curtis, who won his 8-9 division in Pepsi Little People's in 1985, and finished third in his division in 1986 and 1988, finished the Shell event in a tie for 47th.
Thanks Ben and Don for the picture!! We wish Ben the best of luck in his upcoming tournaments.
3/26/08
ALENA SHARP NAMED GOLF FORE THE CURE AMBASSADOR
Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., Canada, who finished third in the 1998 girls 16-17 division of Pepsi Little People's, has been named the 2008 Ambassador for the RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program.
As a part of her role as Ambassador, Canada's No. 1 ranked player on the LPGA Tour will attend and participate in the Golf Fore the Cure National Event on September 15 at the Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto.
The RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program, presented by Subaru, is aimed at growing women's golf participation in Canada by introducing the game through fun, non-intimidating activities. Proceeds are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
"I am honored to be involved with the RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program," said Alena, "and lend my support to this tremendous initiative".
Sharp was recently inducted into the New Mexico State University Athletics Hall of Fame, in honor of her collegiate golf accomplishments before she started her professional career on the LPGA Tour in 2003.
Congratulation to another Little People's Alumni!!!
3/12/08
KELLY ROBBINS NAMED ASSISTANT SOLHEIM CUP CAPTAIN
Kelly Robbins, former Little People's player, and Meg Mallon, have been named Assistant Captains of the 2009 Solheim Cup by U.S. Team Captain Beth Daniel. The trio will lead the U.S. Team in their quest to maintain a perfect record on home soil August 21-23, 2009, at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL.
"It is a real honor," Robbins said. "I've looked up to Beth since I can't remember and just to have her choose me to be part of that week with her, I'm humbled, honored and am really looking forward to it."
The trio of captains has a combined 22 Solheim Cup appearances to draw on. They were all members of the 1996 U.S. team, the only team in Solheim Cup history to win on foreign soil until the 2007 squad was victorious in Sweden last September.
Kelly has a record of fine appearances in Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships. In 1982, she was second in the 12-13 division to Kathleen Ryan. Kelly won that division in 1983, and finished third in the 14-15 division in 1984 and 1985.
Congratulations to Kelly, and GOOD LUCK in 2009!!!
2/12/08
PATRICK AKANIROJ APPEARS ON SUNCASTV
http://sports.suncastv.com/pages/golfPro.html
2/12/08
ABBEY CARLSON HAS GREAT YEAR
Abbey Carlson, 9, started her year with a 2nd place finish in the 8-9 girls division of Pepsi Little People's. She went on to take the 1st place trophy in the 8-9 division at the 2007 Doral Publix event in December. This added to her strong fall golf schedule of a 1st place finish at the Prestige Junior Championship at PGA National and 5 consecutive 1st place showings on the Plantation Junior Golf Tour.
"Abbey has continued to work hard all fall and has seen the benefits of her hard work," writes her Mother, Nancy." In addition to her successes she has enjoyed seeing so many of her friends at these tournaments. Most of these friendships started at Pepsi Little Peoples. She looks forward to the 2008 Pepsi tournament. "
It was a 'Little People's sweep of the girls 8-9 division at Doral, when Claire Hodges of Wildwood, MO, finished 2nd, and Diana Velez from Puerto Rico finished 3rd.
Little People's looks forward to the return of all three of these fine young players to the tournament in June!!
1/31/08
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Little People's Golf Championships Association is pleased to announce it's new Scholarship Program for boys and girls aged 8 through 17. This Scholarship Program was established to provide financial assistance to deserving young men and women who have exhibited an interest in golf and golf competition. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a compete profile, including academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, civic or volunteer programs and financial need.
This new program replaces the LPGCA's previous policy of providing scholarships to the winners and runnersup in all divisions, as USGA and NCAA regulations no longer allow this.
The LPGCA made this change because it did not want to jeopardize the amateur status or the college athletic elibibity of any of its contestants.
Click here to view new scholorship information. PDF
1/11/08
SAHITH THEEGALA WINS FLORIDA EVENT
Sahith Theegala of Chino Hills, CA, winner of the 2007 Pepsi Little People's 8-9 Division, recently played well in a Florida event.
Sahith won the PARS Golf Event in the 12th Florida International Junior Golf Championships held in Port St. Lucie, FL. Dec 28-30 in the Boys 9-10 category. He scored one over (73) in the first round and scored even par (72) in the second round and finished with two under (70) in the last and third round. Final score was one under (215). The golf was played at the Challenging Dye Course in the PGA Golf Club. Sahith's win also qualifies him for 2008 Callaway Junior World in San Diego.
Congratulations, Sahith!!