|
JGANC |
So you are from Placerville......I shared some great JGANC experiences
with Kim McCready, also from Placerville. Now I'm assuming you
are ready to step up and represent your town as well. I watched
you play at the Tournament of Champions and you certainly looked
to be an outstanding young talent. I know playing in the TOC
was a thrill. What other event is special to you? |
|
Chelsea |
My favorite JGANC tournament is the Shoreline Junior Classic. |
|
JGANC |
I have a feeling this is because you shot a great 74 and won
the event. Winning does make tournaments special. Tell me about
how you started playing golf. |
|
Chelsea |
The first time I ever picked up a golf club was when I was
eleven. I didn't actually start playing golf until the age of
thirteen though. This was the age when I really began to understand
the game of golf. |
|
JGANC |
Thirteen is a good age. So many begin so young that they really
don't understand what is going on and some burn out way before
their time. You really looked athletic. Do you play other sports? |
|
Chelsea |
I played many sports growing up, but once I focused in on
golf, I let the few go. I played JV soccer as a freshman and
frosh basketball. My sophomore year I played on the varsity basketball
team, and for the past 8 years I have participated on my local
swim team. |
|
JGANC |
Goodness, I don't know how you have time for golf. Even though
you have limited your sports, all require a huge amount of practice
time. You are one busy young lady, and we can't forget school
too.
Let's just talk golf so tell me what has been your biggest accomplishment? |
|
Chelsea |
My biggest golf accomplishment so far would have to be when
I tied for first at my high school league sections tournament.
My season had not been the best, so it was a very good feeling
I had accepting that award. |
|
JGANC |
I can imagine. Sometimes it takes lots of practice before it
pays off. Obviously, it did then. So what are your goals for
2006? |
|
Chelsea |
I am hoping to start the season out strong and play in as
many tournaments as possible. I am going to work very hard this
summer and try to have a consistant stroke average by the beginning
of high school golf. |
|
JGANC |
Well, you can always watch your stroke average by checking out
the rankings on the JGANC website. It is fun to see your differential
too, what you shoot against the course rating. How long have
you been a JGANC member? |
|
Chelsea |
Two years. |
|
JGANC |
That's not really a long time, so lots are in store for you this
year. Since you turn 18 in January, this will be your last JGANC
year. I hope you work really hard to make it the best ever. Now
tell me Chelsea, what do you enjoy doing besides golf? |
|
Chelsea |
Other than golf, I like to go to basketball games at my high
school. I like hanging out with friends and I enjoy spending
time with my family. |
|
JGANC |
You are quite a mature young lady and certainly an asset to the
JGANC. I wish you the best during this season. See you soon. |
|
JGANC |
Chris, I've had the pleasure of watching you play many times.
You are a very active JGANC player. Tell me what do you like
best about the JGANC? |
|
Christopher |
The competition is great in the JGANC and there are lots of
tournaments. It is fun to play because you are always trying
to shoot your best round. |
|
JGANC |
Since you play so many events, you've had a chance to develop
some friendships. Tell me about the friends you have in the JGANC. |
|
Christopher |
Nicolo Galletti, I met him at Tokay when I was 8. We were
in the last group on the final day, Nicolo is cool. I have so
many friends; Travis Rowney, Kyle Bowser, Michael Decker, Jay
and Jack Burlison, Cameron Champ, Lawrence Fu, Derek Karu, Joseph
Park, Sean Berardi, I have met a lot friends playing golf. |
|
JGANC |
Believe it or not, some of these friends you will stay in contact
with all your life. It's pretty awesome. I think this the best
part of it all. Now in all your events, which are your favorites? |
|
Christopher |
I have three favorite tournaments. Bing Maloney, Charlie Culver
and Castlewood. Bing Maloney was my first tournament when I was
seven years old. I like the short course and the people are nice.
Charlie Culver has the best putting course made from vegetables!
Castlewood is great because they have good courses, lots of food
and awesome trophies. |
|
JGANC |
I love those special touches. We have some great tournament directors
who do so much for juniors to make it fun. For only being eleven,
you are an outstanding golfer. How often do you practice and
do you have a special routine? |
|
Christopher |
I practice or play about 4-5 times a week depending on the
weather. I chip around our front yard almost every day if I am
not practicing at a course. I like to have putting competitions
with the different logo balls I have collected. They represent
different players from the courses on the balls. I try to get
to a tournament about an hour and a half before my tee time.
I like to hit balls first for about 20-30 minutes and then I
chip and spend the rest of the time putting. I often have putting
competitions with my friends before the round. I think this helps
me think about the competition and also it is fun. |
|
JGANC |
I love your idea of having logo ball competitions. What a great
way to practice and not letting it get boring. I bet some juniors
pick up this idea from your interview. Let's call it the "Petefish
Power Putting System." By the way, when did golf come into
your life? |
|
Christopher |
I got started playing golf when I was six. I broke my arm
on my birthday and got my first set of golf clubs that day. I
spent a lot of time putting and chipping. My Dad taught me how
to chip and putt and I had my first golf lesson when I was 7. |
|
JGANC |
Well, you are a veteran at eleven! Now I know golf is a huge
part of Christopher Petefish. Is there anything else you would
like our junior members to know about you? |
|
Christopher |
I really love to play golf. I enjoy practicing as much as
playing and my favorite thing is to play in a tournament. I am
a straight A student at school and am a good chess player. I
enjoy traveling and playing different courses whenever I can.
I love colorful golf clothes and like to be well dressed on the
course. |
|
JGANC |
A good golfer is always a smart golfer. Obviously, that sums
up Chris Petefish. Thanks for the interview. I hope 2006 brings
you more wonderful experiences and the opportunity of making
even more friends. |
|
JGANC |
Andy, lots of juniors remember your brother Danny in the JGANC.
Now it is your turn to represent the north part of our state
and make Eureka proud. How did the Clayton family hear about
the JGANC in the first place? |
|
Andrew |
I heard about the JGANC from players coming from out of the
area to play in our Humboldt County Junior Golf Association tournaments. |
|
JGANC |
We do have several JGANC sanctioned events in your area. You
are fortunate to have your own association. Tell us about the
golf opportunities in Eureka. |
|
Andrew |
Our Humboldt County Junior golf Association sponsors local
tournaments and Fun Nights. Fun Nights are a four-man scramble
with a variety of age groups in each group. |
|
JGANC |
I've seen pictures of your fun nights. It looks like everyone
has a good time. Thinking now of just JGANC tournaments, which
one is your favorite? |
|
Andrew |
I enjoyed the Shasta Pizza-Jiffy Lube tournament the most.
I've been going to that tournament for about 4 years and each
year it gets better and better. The prizes and lunches are very
good. |
|
JGANC |
It has a new name this year. It is now called the Sam Baskins
Memorial. It's our only three-day event and has always had raves
about how good it is. How did you start playing golf anyway? |
|
Andrew |
I was six years old and my brother, Danny, was ten. My grandmother
Sue Tonini signed us up for lessons and played with us twice
a week. We had to let the whole golf course play through. |
|
JGANC |
That's funny. What a great grandmother. Since you've been playing
golf has Danny played a role in your improvement? |
|
Andrew |
My brother helps with my mental and physical game. |
|
JGANC |
What are your goals for 2006? |
|
Andrew |
I would like to play in as many tournaments as possible, see
the friends I have met through JGANC and hopefully play some
good golf. |
|
JGANC |
I know living so far up north makes it difficult getting to lots
of the JGANC tournaments. Your friends would love to see you
so I hope that can happen this year. As far as playing good golf,
I think that one will be a given. Before we close, tell me what
else do you enjoy doing? |
|
Andrew |
I enjoy riding my quad at my cabin, disc golfing, skimboarding
and hanging out with my friends. |
|
JGANC |
Boy, I would like to know more about these, but we'll save it
for another time. Thanks for the interview Andrew. You are a
delightful young man with a bright future. Hope to see you soon. |
