The IMG Junior Golf Tour was developed to fill a key niche in junior golf, the IMG Junior Golf Tour provides an elite setting for junior golfers to compete and gain exposure to college golf, professional golf, national junior rankings and athletic excellence.
Held in Florida every December, and open to boys and girls ages 11-18, the the IMG Academy Junior World Florida Challengeis a qualification and invitation only event featuring an international field of over 200 players.News
Zheng relishes Symetra Tour opportunity
Yvonne Zheng took advantage of her opportunity to play on the LPGA Symetra Tour
For two seasons, the LPGA Symetra Tour and IMG Junior Golf Tour have forged a relationship that grants the top points earning player in the Girls Division an exemption into a professional event. This year after 13 qualifying events, Yvonne Zheng of Bradenton, Fla. punched her ticket to the Symetra Tour’s Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay.
“It was definitely exciting, and I learned a lot from the professionals, it was definitely and eye opening experience for me,” Zheng said of the experience. “It was unbelievable. I felt all the nerves I didn’t feel before, and with all the people watching it was nerve-racking.”
Most importantly, Zheng took away valuable experience that she will carry with her to college. Zheng signed with the current No. 5 ranked Bruins women’s golf program in November.
“I learned a lot [playing in the Guardian Retirement Championship] – that you just need to play your own game and not worry about the people around you, whether it’s a pro event or college.”
Zheng has played on the IMG Junior Golf Tour since it inaugural season three years ago. However, the 2012-13 season has been her finest. In six appearances, Zheng finished in the top 10 in each event, with four finishes in the top-three, which included a win at Red Tail Golf Club in November.
Zheng said of her experience with the Tour: “It has definitely helped a lot with my golf game and has provided me a great experience over the years. The courses we play are really nice, and some are really tough, so it has done a lot to help my game and I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to play in the events.”
Andrew Parr, the IMG Junior Golf Tour Tournament Director, has seen Zheng’s progress over the years and is excited to see her take the next step to college.
“We have known from the beginning what a special player Yvonne is, and through her hard work, now she has earned a place on one of the nation’s finest women’s golf programs,” said Parr. “We work hard to furnish the best playing opportunities for junior golfers, so to see what she has accomplished with her opportunities is very exciting.”
Zheng expressed how grateful she is to have played on the IMG Junior Golf Tour, and the experiences it gave her. Now, she is looking forward to working with new coaches, training at new facilities and becoming part of a team at UCLA.
