Junior Golf: The Ping Invitational

By Bill Fields

October 09, 2011

Yi Keun Chang practices on the range as his father, Oh Chun, observes.

Motin Yeung (left) and Jim Liu share a moment during a practice round.

That's not Rickie Fowler, but 16-year-old Stratton Nolen of Austin, Texas, who is a fan of the young pro's style.

Ariya Jutanugarn, a 15-year-old from Bangkok, Thailand, is the 2011 U.S. Girls' Junior champion and No. 1-ranked girl on the Polo Golf Ranking.

Moriya Jutanugarn, 17, Ariya's older sister, arrived in Stillwater No. 2 in the Polo Golf Ranking.

Gabriella Then, 15, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and her mother, Maya.

A number of the players used push carts, including Kyung Kim, 17, of Chandler, Ariz.

This foursome at Karsten Creek was oblivious to the AJGA's Get Crackin' Pace of Play policy.

Connor Black, 15, from Houston, recovered nicely from trouble on the 16th hole.

At 13, Allisen Corpuz of Honolulu was one of the youngest players in the field.

A trio of girls catches up by the Karsten Creek practice green prior to the tournament.

The sun was just coming up as Rinko Mitsunaga warmed up for the first round.

Robert Geibel, 16, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., works on his bunker play.

Beau Hossler greenside at No. 18, where the 2011 drought's effects on the lake were evident.

(Left to right) Ariya Jutanugarn, Jaye Marie Green and Karen Chung make an early-morning walk up the first fairway.

Karen Chung, 16, had a distinctive headcover for her driver.

Shun Yat Hak, 17, plays his second shot to the 18th hole.

Californian Cameron Champ drives between appropriate tee markers, given Stillwater is the home of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Cody Proveaux, a 17-year-old from Leesville, S.C., has verbally committed to attend Clemson.

No junior gets to this level without lots of hard work, as shown by Doug Ghim's well-used golf glove.

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