PHOENIX STORM

Tanner Pixley (78,79) tied for second in the boys 14-15 Division as other Storm golfers also made their mark at the Major Championship at Ocotillo Golf Club with all 4 golfers competing in the Boys 16-18 Division finishing in the top 11.  Tanner Van Newkirk (79-82), Clay Stupi (86,76), Jack PlesKovitch (85, 79). Jake Contos (86,85).

Storm Golfers have also excelled nationally.  Tanner Pixley is ranked 13/670 golfers in the Boys 14-15 Division and Tanner Van Newkirk, 53/640 in the Boys 16-18 Division.  Each has a win on the Tour and earned a trip to Atlanta in June for the HJGT Champions event.

Storm golfers couldn't rally from a slow start and a bee sting to advance to the PING Junior Interclub Regionals.   Jake Contos (WD), cruising at +1 through 7 was stung on the hand forcing him to withdraw early and end any chance for a team rally to advance to the PING Interclub Regionals.  Tanner Pixley (76) and Clay Stupi (76) tied for 4th, leading all Storm golfers.  Tanner Van Newkirk (81) and Alex Jablon (85) round out the scoring for the Storm.  The inaugural season of the PING Junior Interclub was a success, as the individual and team competition improved significantly week to week.

Once again, the home course team dominated the day, but Storm golfers turned in average performances which is not good enough to make up ground in the Interclub’s toughest Division.  Tanner Pixley (75) led all Storm golfers, followed by Tanner VanNewkirk (79) and Alex Jablon (79).  Jack PlesKovitch (81) and Brody Burnell (81) turned in otherwise respectable scores but not on a day when the medalist shot 67.  The PING Team Interclub season comes to an end next weekend as Clay Stupi and Brody Burnell will join Tanner P, Tanner V and Alex at Camelback.   

Playing in PING's most competitive division, Tanner Van Newkirk (75) and Alex Jablon (77) scored top 10 finishes in the 3rd Interclub Tournament of the season at Papago GC hosted by the First Tee.   Most Storm golfers improved on their previous tournament scores, Tanner Pixley (78), Clay Stupi (81) and Jake Contos (83) however it wasn't enough to overcome the Papago team's home course advantage.  Papago golfers dominated taking the top 2 spots and 2 golfers tying for 3rd. 

Troon North Pinnacle Storm is currently in 3rd place.  Missing an opportunity to score a win at home after the April 10th tournament at Troon North was canceled due to weather has the team looking to rally this weekend at Silverado to move into second place and a regional bid.  Jack PlesKovitch returns and Brody Burnell will play in his first Interclub match, joining Tanner P, Tanner V and Alex on Sunday.  Good Luck Storm!

Storm Golfers turned in consistent scores in the first PING Junior Interclub match of the season at the Phoenician Golf Club, topping the field in low gross score, and finishing 4th overall.  Tanner Van Newkirk (78) and Tanner Pixley (78) led all Storm Golfers, with Jake Contos (80), Jack PlesKovitch (81) and Alex Jablon (81) rounding out the team scores. 

The team returns home for a match on Masters Sunday at Troon North.  Tanner, Tanner and Jake this week will be joined by Clay Stupi and Brody Burnell. 

About PING Junior Interclub.  Storm Golf partners with Troon North Golf Club and manages the selection and participation of its' Storm Pinnacle Troon North Interlub Team. In 2008, the PING Junior Interclub (PJI) was launched. Currently, the PJI is the flagship program for Junior Golf University (JGU). The PJI is a tournament series providing junior golfers with the unique opportunity to compete as a member of a team. The program offers a welcoming, fun environment for those just starting to play competitive golf. Using the interclub concept, junior players develop team-based skills inherent in other sports, while competing in golf, a game that fosters integrity, leadership and life skills.

Teams are formed by private, public and resort-style golf facilities. JGU also sponsors teams formed by the local First Tee chapter.

In collaboration with North Valley Youth Sports, LLC, the Storm will field its' first Storm Golf team to support local youth players who want to improve their game in the off season.     

The idea was generated to create comradery and an atmosphere of continuous improvement.  It has been proven over time in competitive team golf that a team that feels a sense of responsibility to one another will drive better team results.  It is ultimately an individual sport, but success comes from each team member feeling a sense of responsibility to one another and understanding that their individual contributions ultimately drive team results.

In addition to a golfcentric workout program and Elite Training by Troon North Instructors, the team will particpate in the 2016 Interclub season as Troon North Pinnacle Storm.   Players also will play on the JGAA, Hurricane Junior Golf and Rocky Mountain Golf Tours to improve their tournament readiness for the fall.

Tanner Van Newkirk (73-76) won the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour 16-18 Division Kickoff at Wigwam Tournament by 4 strokes, leading wire to wire.   Clay Stupi (79-82) turned in a top 5 score while Jack PlesKovitch (85-97) struggled after taking advice from his dad between rounds.  Tanner Pixley (82-76) followed up his San Diego win with a Top 3 performance in the 14-15 Division.  A great weekend overall for Storm Golf.

Tanner Pixley traveled to San Diego to compete in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour San Diego Junior Shootout.  Tanner shot 76 and 77 to win the event, a field that included both California and Arizona players.  

His teammates turned in consistent scores once again, playing in the JGAA Phoenix Metro Jr. Championship at Bear Creek.  Tanner Van Newkirk led Storm golfers with another top 25 score, shooting 79-82.  Clay Stupi rebounded from an 85 on the first day to shoot 80 on Sunday.  

Next up, HJGT at Wigwam! 

Storm golfers competed across the Valley in the JGAA 2016 New Years Shootout.  Jack PlesKovitch (23rd), Tanner VanNewKirk (17th) , Clay Stupi(30th), Jake Contos (28th) took the course at Dobson Ranch and Tanner Pixley (36th) competed at Toka Stick.  All of the boys posted sub 40 rounds in at least one of their nine holes, with Tanner Van Newkirk leading the way with 3.   For most of the boys this was their first tournament of 2016 and despite some higher scores to which they are accustom, their ball striking was right on par for most of the tournament.   Next up:  JGAA Phoenix Metro Jr. Chamionship February 20 & 21st and the first Hurrican Junior Golf Tour Tournament at Wigwam on February 27 & 28th.

The Storm Golf Team Gear is now available for purchase on Storm Stuff, the official teamstore of the Phoenix Storm.  Click the link to check out the 2016 uniforms provided exclusively by Callaway. 

Please email us at stormgolf@cox.net to learn more about Storm Golf.