Thompson tees off junior tourney

TUCSON, Arizona – The Junior GolfAssociation of Arizona (JGAA) is set to host the 3rd Annual ThompsonInvitational, a junior golf tournament sponsored by PGA Tour player MichaelThompson. Oro Valley Country Club in Tucson will host the tournament on June 29through 30, 2014. In partnership with the Ricki Rarick Junior Golf Program,this 36-hole Invitational will feature 60 of the best junior golfers inArizona.

Michael Thompson, a Tucson-native grew up playing in theRicki Rarick program, the Southwest Section PGA events and JGAA tournaments. Heparticipated in JGAA tournaments from 2000-2003, and was a member of the 2001Eddie Hogan Cup team representing Arizona, where he finished 3rd individually.Michael played collegiate golf at the University of Tulane until HurricaneKatrina ended the golf program at which time he transferred to the Universityof Alabama. In 2008, Michael was named the SEC Player of the Year and shortlyafter turned pro. In 2013 on the PGA Tour, Michael won his first PGA Tourtournament at the Honda Classic and finished 39^th overall in theFedex Cup Standings. This year, he has a top 10 finish at the CrownePlaza Invitational.

"The reason for this tournament is to provide juniorgolfers an opportunity to test their skills amongst the best in the state andit's always been my vision to give back to my hometown," says MichaelThompson.

This year, the Thompson Invitational will feature two divisions,Boys 13-18 and Girls 13-18. The players in the boys divisions such asChris Meyers, senior to be at Canyon del Oro, recently qualified for the USJunior Amateur Championship and has won 4 JGAA events in 2014, including theTucson Conquistadores Spring Championship and Willie Low Invitational.

Gavin Cohen will be a sophomore at Catalina Foothills and has two top-3finishes this year and recently qualified for the PGA Junior Championship andFrankie Wu, the recent CDO graduate captured an impressive win at the MiltCoggins Championship. The girls division is most impressive with HaylinHarris, the incoming freshman this fall has six finishes in the top-5.

Another key player is Sydney Colwill, a 2015 high school graduate and recentlywon the Tucson City Junior Championship with scores of 65-70 at DellUrich. Each division is packed with talent and will make for a verycompetitive tournament.

The Thompson Invitational started in 2012 with the help ofSusie and Dan Meyers, Rick Price, Oro Valley Country Club, the JGAA and theRicki Rarick Junior Golf Program.

For more information about the Thompson Invitational pleasecontact the Junior Golf Association office at (602) 944-6168 or visit their website at www.jgaa.org.