Ashleigh Simon, 15, a South African golf sensation already drawing comparisons to Michelle Wie and being touted as one of the greatest female golfers to come out of her country, has accepted an invitation to compete in the 30th Annual Westfield Junior PGA Championship, July 13-16, 2005, at Westfield Group Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio.
Simon, whose resume reads like a seasoned professional, won the 2004 South African Open, at age 14, with a record-setting performance on her home course of Royal Johannesburg Golf Club. She rallied from an eight-stroke deficit with a final-round 63. This past February, Simon finished first at the South African WPGA Pam Golding International, followed by a third-place finish at the Nedbank Women's Masters in March.
She is a two-timer winner of the Woman Golfer of the Year award presented by Complete Golfer; was an invitee by President Thabo Mbeki to play in the inaugural President's Golf Day; has competed in four Ernie Els Tour events; and is a four-time winner of the Ladies Champion of Champions at Glendower. She also made appearances in America during 2004, finishing eighth at the AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions and fifth at the Callaway Junior World Championship.
"The PGA of America has made a focused effort to enhance the experience for juniors by extending invitations to top international players," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "We were pleased to introduce the Championship field to Emma Cabrera-Bello of Spain in 2003, and her brother, Miguel, in 2004. Ashleigh Simon continues this international tradition. Her participation at the Championship is a rare opportunity for those of us in America to see her talents on display."
In 2003, Emma Cabrera-Bello captured the Westfield Junior PGA Championship girls' title in front of thousands of spectators on the strength of a third-round 66. In 2004, Miguel Cabrera-Bello created a buzz and drew sizable galleries, when he fired a course-record 7-under-par 28, on the front nine during the second round.
Simon headlines the field of boy and girl junior golfers that will include: Champions from 41 PGA Sections, first team All-Americans, GolfWeek Top-10 players, special invites extended by The PGA of America and returning top-10 finishers from the 2004 Westfield Junior PGA Championship, including Stephanie Kono.
Westfield Group Country Club, owned by title-sponsor Westfield Insurance, was the site of the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup Matches and has been home to the Westfield Junior PGA Championship since 2001.
"The PGA of America and Westfield Insurance share a goal to make the Westfield Junior PGA Championship the best event to play and attend in junior golf," said Mark Farrell, tournament committee chairman of Westfield Insurance.
The site features the most Tour-like experience in junior golf for players and attendees including: Covered grandstands, roped fairways, real-time scoring, leader boards, pairing sheets, player biographies, a full-service food court, and new in 2005, the Smucker's Family Golf Fest mini-golf show on Friday and Saturday, sponsored by the J.M. Smucker Company.
Admission and parking are free all four days, and more than 10,000 spectators are expected to attend. Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. EDT daily. Passes to the event are available at the gate. Order in advance by calling the Championship information line, (800) 243-0210, Ext. 8123, or by visiting www.westfieldinsurance.com.
Westfield Group Foundation partners with Westfield Insurance to serve as host and title sponsor of the Westfield Junior PGA Championship. In business for more than 157 years, Westfield Insurance provides commercial and personal insurance in 17 states and surety services to customers in 28 states, marketing its products through more than 1,200 leading independent insurance agencies. Westfield Group Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, dedicated to creating opportunities for youth through a variety of competitive sports activities and other organized experiences. Learn more at www.westfieldinsurance.com and www.westfieldgroupfoundation.com.
