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Elizabeth Wang Leads U.S. to Victory in Evian Championship Juniors Cup

EvianChampionshipSeptember, 2013 – Evian Championship Juniors Cup final-round recap

Team USA captured its second consecutive Evian Championship Junior Cups on Wednesday at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Evians-les-Bains, France. After entering the final round one stroke behind the Czech Republic, the US squad rallied on day two to retain the Cup. Led by 13-year old Elizabeth Wang who shot an impressive 6-under-par 66, the red, white and blue finished the tournament 11 strokes ahead of the first-day leader Czech Republic who ended up finishing third. France took home second place, eight strokes behind the United States.

The Evian Championship Junior Cup is a two-day, 36-hole team event featuring some of the best junior players from around the globe. Teams are comprised of two girls and two boys and the best three out of four scores each round count towards the team total. On day two, Mika Liu fired a second round 70, while JJ Gresco shot 81 to combine with Wang’s 66, for a second-round total of 217.

Overall, the team of Wang, Liu, Gresco and Varun Chopra finished with a team total of 439. Team USA was followed by France (447), Czech Republic (450), Germany (458) and Japan (460).

On the individual side, Wang handily won the girls’ division with a two-day total of 139, while Liu finished runner-up with a score of 145. The boys’ division was captured by France’s Antoine Kuoch with a two-day total of 144.

Evian Championship Juniors Cup first-round recap

Team USA battled windy conditions and cooler than normal temperatures in the first round of the Evian Championship Juniors Cup to sit one stroke behind tournament leader Czech Republic. Elizabeth Wang led the USA squad with a one-over par 73 on the demanding Evian Resort Golf Club course. Varun Chopra shot 74 and Mika Liu shot 75 to combine with Wang’s 73, for a one-day team score of 222.

The Evian Championship Junior Championship is a two-day, 36-hole team event featuring some of the best junior players from around the globe. The best three out of four scores each round count towards the team total.

Varun Chopra currently sits in second position in the Boys’ Division behind the Czech Republic’s Matyas Zapletal who fired an impressive five-under-par 67 in the first round. JJ Gresco, who shot 81 in round one, looks to climb the leader board in round two.

The Girls’ Division is led by Germany’s Esther Henseilet who posted a first round 69. Both Wang and Liu are still in striking distance of Henseilet.

The overall team competition is extra tight with four countries (USA, France, Germany and Italy) within eight shots of the pace set by the Czech Republic.

Top-5 Team Scores – Czech Republic 221; United States 222; France 224; Germany 227; Italy 229

The Evian Championship Juniors Cup Preview

The Evian Championship Juniors Cup showcases the top international talent of junior golfers from 16 nations worldwide. The event, which was first played in 2007, will be held September 17-18 at The Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, site of the LPGA Tour’s fifth major, The Evian Championship. Mika Liu (Beverly Hills, Calif.), Elizabeth Wang (Marino, Calif.), Varun Chopra (Champaign, Ill.) and JJ Gresco (Scottsdale, Ariz.) will represent the United States at the seventh staging of the event. Other countries represented in the competition include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. Teams will be made up of two male and two female players born in or after 1999 and the competition will be decided by stroke play over two 18-hole rounds.
Stay tuned for more photos and results from the event.

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I had the pleasure to be around Rose Zhang the entire day today with her service day with East West Bank I am also an ambassador and navigate their golf sector for them. She is a joy to be around and no coincidence she has had your guidance all her life. Thank you for being such a great role model for all of us, and the future of golf. Although we have never worked together but I’ve known you since I was a junior golfer, and you’ve impacted me in ways you don’t know as well. Whether it’s a quick passing by on the range seeing me and a quick chat, or when you’re slammed with lessons and call me over to give me info about my swing. For all that and more you are the best.
Ben Lein
Ben Lein
Congratulations on the impact you are having on the game of golf by developing young talent in the women's game. Having played at the highest level and know the talent Rose brings to the LPGA, it goes without saying you are making a difference in the lives of those around you. I look forward to getting to know you more.
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Head Women's Golf CoachThe Ohio State University
As George’s student for the past 6 years, to say that he has helped my golf game is an understatement. When I first came to him when I was 11, his way of teaching really intrigued me with all the technology he had including Trackman, his side/front swing cameras, and his large TV’s. With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. George has been a critical part of my development as a player both physically and mentally as he has provided me great advice not only in golf but in life as well. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend.
Rose ZhangNovember 2020
You are a fighter with a kind and big heart to create miracles in your players. We all should learn the life lessons, attitude and the tenacious fighting spirit that you have toward difficulties that you face. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your player’s win. I learned so much in so short a time while spending time with you at The Open. Your hard work ethics are a good path for me to follow. We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. If I had a coach like you, I would give everything I have to fight for victories. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open.
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Nicole ZhangNovember, 2020
My first lesson with George was 3 years ago. During my first few classes, George already corrected nearly unnoticeable but very crucial mistakes in just my set up that I had never even realized. His ability to recognize anything from small details to major mistakes has greatly improved the consistency of my swing. Furthermore, George has shown genuine care for my mental and wellbeing outside of lessons when I’m traveling for a golf tournament. He is always there to check in with how I am feeling before and after the rounds. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. I am truly grateful for everything George has taught me in both golf and life.
Charissa ShangJunior Ranked Player
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Yingxia CaoMother of Angie Zhang's
My daughter Alice ziyi Zhao is lucky and proud to have George Pinnell as her golf coach, she likes his teaching very much. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. His way of teaching golf is very professional, and he is very experienced and nice with good personality. He not only teaches Alice the skill of golf technology , but also he teaches her mental guidance and how to become a good player. He knows how to encourage golfers to face the challenges and he knows everything about the growth of a good junior golfer in the process. He also teaches parents some advanced ideas about golf and how to become a good parent of a good golfer. we learned a lot from him. Thank you for all to George Pinnell!
Elena LiangMother of Alice Ziyi Zhao
For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. He is very experienced and is truly an amazing person. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person. And as a parent I learn quite a bit from him as well. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. This is where I think some of the best teaching happens. I only wish we could see him more often.
Victoria ZhangMother of Alesia Barry
Over the past three years, George has been my coach/swing coach. I’ve struggled so much through my high school career, but George was always there to guide me in the right direction. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. Now I’m going to Seattle University on a golf scholarship, I can certainly say that I’ve grow a tremendous amount as an athlete in the golf game and as a wholesome individual because of his genuine care and teachings. Thanks for everything George.
Keisha Lugito
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