Jessica Heimonen
The JGA Player of the Year is awarded to the individual who has shown outstanding abilities based on the following criteria: participation in events, scoring average, order of finish in each event, competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
Jessica Heimonen has been named the 2011 JGA Player of the Year. Heimonen, a junior at Portage Central, had an excellent JGA season winning 4 tournaments and finishing 2nd in two other tournaments in the 16-18 age group. She shot a career low round of 72 at Lake Michigan Hills and finished the season with a scoring average of 79.88, 20 strokes lower than her 2010 average. “I noticed Jessica at the Dome all winter working on her game” says JGA Director Dean Marks, “I think she’s a great example of what hard work and determination can achieve.”
Heimonen’s name will be added to the JGA Player of the Year trophy on display at Milham Park Golf Club. “It’s such an honor to win this award, and have my name added to a trophy with a lot of great golfers. I’ve been playing in the JGA for 5 years now, and it’s a great junior golf program!”, says Heimonen.
Other player’s also had strong showings this year in the 16-18 age group. Brittany Haight, 2010 JGA Player of the Year, won 3 events, including the 2-day Championship with scores of 77-73. Gunnar Bjornsen won 2 events including the 2-day Championship shooting 75-71. Luke Tindall and Scott Manski also won 2 events each. In the 13-15 age group, Josh Switzer won 6 events and finished with a 71.0 scoring average.
The JGA had another record season of participation with 528 participants divided into 4 age groups and participating in 33 total events at 19 different courses. The JGA was established in 1987 with the purpose of providing quality golf experiences for area juniors at affordable rates. The JGA has awarded 49 scholarships totaling $67,000 to graduating seniors since 1997. The JGA is headquartered at Grand Prairie Golf Course, 388-4447, and has information available online at www.kalamazoojuniorgolf.org.
The JGA would like to thank all host courses for their support which allows the organization to be so successful.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/08/jessica_heimonen_earns_kalamaz.html
JGA Player of the Year winners:
| Year | Player of the Year |
| 2011 | Jessica Heimonen |
| 2010 | Brittany Haight |
| 2009 | Sheldon Keyte |
| 2008 | Sheldon Keyte |
| 2007 | Laura Eberhard |
| 2006 | Sheldon Keyte |
| 2005 | Lee Keselowski |
| 2004 | Nick Carbary |
| 2003 | Patricia Monroe |
| 2002 | Nick Muszunski |
| 2001 | Dan Kucab |
| 2000 | Amanda Wilson |
| 1999 | Kevin Kremer |
| 1998 | Matt Doherty |
| 1997 | Scott Evans & Chad Scott |
| 1996 | Brian Rosenbaum |
| 1995 | Jon Cavanaugh & Matt Eldred |
| 1994 | Dan Meersman |
| 1993 | Paul Walker |
| 1992 | Kelly Wilcox |
| 1991 | Doug Biro |
| 1990 | Derek Haines |
| 1989 | Lisa Stover |
Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 10:03