Player of the Year

Sheldon Keyte punctuated a storybook golf season by being named the 2006 Junior Golf Association Player of the Year.

A 15-year-old sophomore at Hackett Catholic Central High School, Keyte won three of the five JGA events in which he competed and posted the lowest stroke-average among the 169 competitors in the 15-17 age division (74.17 for six rounds).

"It’s been a pleasure watching Sheldon mature over the years, not only as a player but as a person," JGA director Dean Marks said. "He is very deserving of this award."

After winning the season-opening event at Olde Mill with a round of 73, Keyte tacked on a victory at Eastern Hills with a 2-under-par round of 70 and then capped the memorable summer with a seven-shot win in the two-day, season-ending tournament at Milham Park and Yarrow (77-70).

Keyte also tied for fourth-place in the tournament at Gull Lakeview West (75) and for 10th at Thornapple Creek (80).

His name will be added to the JGA Player of the Year trophy on display at Milham Park Golf Club, where his name will be inscribed alongside those of Lee Keselowski (2005) and Nick Carbary (2004).

"It’s a great honor to have my name alongside Keselowski and Carbary," Keyte said.

Keyte was one of several JGA players who enjoyed productive summers on area golf courses.

Among the boys, 15-year-old David Harsini won the Gull Lakeview West event with a 3-under-par round of 68, as well as the Angels Crossing event with a 74. His 7-round scoring average was 75.14.

Blake Demmond, 14, won all four events in which he played in the 13-14 age division and had a 77.25 scoring average. He was invited to play in the 2-day championship with the 15-17 year olds and finished tied for eighth (79-78).

The girls division had the highest level of participation in the history of the JGA. Jessica VanderKlok and Meghan Gajare were a formidable 1-2 duo, combining to win all five events in the 15-17 division. Both are 17 years old.

VanderKlok won the events at Angels Crossing and Heritage Glen, while Gajare won at Olde Mill, Gull Lakeview West and the two-day championship at Milham and Yarrow. Both had scoring averages of 83.

The future of the girls division is also bright. Gabrielle Shipley, 12, won all six events in the 11-12 age group averaging 42.3 for 9 holes, while 13-year-old Brittany Haight finished with a 92.33 scoring average for six rounds played in the 15-17 age division, including a 2nd-place 80 at Heritage Glen.

The JGA was established in 1987 with the purpose of providing quality golf experiences for area juniors at affordable rates.

(Article reprinted by permission)