Teen in the Running for Junior PGA Championship

Courtney Jones, 15, is in the midst of a solid first run on the Connecticut Section PGA Junior Golf Tour.

In just her first year on the tour for girls 13 to 18-years-old, the Southbury teen is ranked 19th in the player standings. The rank puts her in position to receive an invite to the tour's premier event - The Jack Kelly Tournament of Champions at Fox Hoyard Golf Club in East Haddam on Aug. 29.

"It would be amazing to play in the tournament of champions considering that I am such a rookie and the other girls on the tour are so good at this sport," Jones said. "You can tell that they put some real time and dedication into it."

Jones posted a third-place finish at Glastonbury Hills Junior Open on July 27 and fifth-place finishes at the New London Country Club Junior Classic on July 1 and at the Torrington Rotary Junior Golf Classic on July 26.

Jones has been playing golf since she was 5 years old and decided to join the tour this year because she "wanted to excel" at the sport. She attributes this drive to her athletic family that includes her avid golfer father, Jeff, who introduced her to the game and her brother, John, 14, who competes in the boys' Junior PGA Tour. She also received a push from her golfing coach at Highfield Club in Middlebury, who recognized her talent in interclub tournaments and encouraged her to compete in the Junior PGA.

A member of the cross country and tennis teams at The Taft School in Watertown, Jones said she includes golf in her athletic repertoire because of the mental fortitude it requires.

"If you make a bad shot, you need the mental stability get back up and try your hardest to get out of trouble or make the hole," said Jones. "At the same time, it can be very relaxing to play and anyone at any age can do it."

The camaraderie of the tour is an added bonus. Jones said she has enjoyed meeting other players from across the state and the tour's atmosphere of good sportsmanship.

"The experience has been amazing," she said. "Everyone there is so nice and helpful and it is a great opportunity to grow. There is no criticizing there. Everyone in the group that you go out with just wants you to do your best."

With a strong first showing, Jones plans to compete on the tour for years to come because it gives her the challenge she needs in order to reach the next level in golf.

"I want to keep pursuing this sport as much as possible," she said. "To be able to play professionally would be the most ideal dream for me and I feel that if I excel on the tour then I can really accomplish something. But, even if I don't get there, then at least I had fun along the way."