AJGA Heather Farr Classic
Where: Longbow Golf Club
When: Friday through Saturday
Format: 54 holes medal play
Information: www.longbowgolf.com


Last year, Philip Francis missed the entry deadline for the Heather Farr Classic at Longbow Golf Club. The 17-year-old from Scottsdale was pretty upset over his oversight, but he went on to become the No.1-ranked junior in the country.

“Yes, indeed,’’ said Francis when asked if he got his entry in early this time for this weekend’s tournament, which features 132 of the nation’s top juniors in the eighth annual event.

“The Heather Farr Classic is a great tournament, one of the best in the West. And, hopefully, I can win it and get back my No. 1 national ranking.’’

After being ranked at the top in the Titleist Junior standings for almost a year, Francis fell from grace last weekend in McKinney, Texas. Ironically, the player who knocked him down to No.2 was Peter Uihlein, the son of Acushnet CEO Wally Uihlein, whose company makes Titleist clubs and balls.

“It was the first event of the AJGA season, and I ended up losing to Peter by a stroke,’’ Francis reported. “I was 8-under on rounds of 70-68-70, but I bogeyed two of the last three holes, which kind of sucked.’’

This is a new week, however, and even though Uihlein is playing elsewhere, the Heather Farr field is strong enough that Francis could jump back on top.

“It’s a great field, even though there are two other AJGA events going on in other parts of the country,’’ Francis pointed out. “But the West region is very strong this year, and a lot of the reason why is because we’ve got so many great juniors right here in Arizona.’’

Francis is center-cut with his assessment, as the boys’ division of the Heather Farr includes such notables from the East Valley as Thomas Buran, Cameron Edens, Austyn Karle, John Kostis, Richard Lee, Tim McKenney, Brad Nicholson, Jason Shano, Ryan Williams and defending champ Drew Kittleson.

The girls division also is loaded with top talent from the East Valley, like Esther Choe, who recently finished in a tie for 32 nd place at the LPGA Safeway International. Also in the field with local ties are Katie Allare, Taylore Karle, Bethany Leclair, Ashley McKenney, Kristen Schelling and Tiger Woods’ niece, Cheyene Woods.

In addition, there are numerous top-ranked juniors from California, including Robert Galleti Jr., Rory Hie, Brian Kim, Sihwan Kim, Jamie Lovemark, Jenny Lee, Michelle Park, Jenny Shin and Christine Song.

The event is open to the public, and features 54 holes of play Friday through Sunday with a junior-am today. According to Jay Larscheid, the general manager at Longbow, it’s a great opportunity “to see the future play today.’’

“We are very excited to continue the Longbow tradition of hosting the AJGA Heather Farr Classic,’’ he said of the event which will be held at the northeast Mesa course for the third consecutive year.

“The addition of the junior to last year’s event was a hit with area golfers and the local community.’’

Francis, for one, relishes the chance after missing last year’s tournament.

“It’s a special tournament for me, because the Heather Farr was the first AJGA event I ever played in,’’ said the 17-year-old, who is playing in his final season on what most consider to be the top junior circuit in the country.

“I was 13 or 14 when I played in it, and I had to qualify just to get in. Then I finished fourth, and that go me into every AJGA event I’ve played in since.’’

The tournament is named after the late Heather Farr, who was an outstanding junior player from Phoenix who attended Arizona State and played on the LPGA.