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Crystal Wang Wins Season Ending Toyota Tour Cup at Sandpiper

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Crystal Wang Rx Trophy
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Rose Zhang

15 year old Crystal Wang, Diamond Bar, CA., won the season ending Toyota Tour Cup Championship at Sandpiper Golf Club.  Crystal shot 79-78 (157) to win the event by a shot over Alexa Melton.  The event was played in cold, rain and windy condition’s that tested the players ability to get the right club for the required yardage.  Crystal told her coach, George Pinnell, “the wind was blowing so hard it was really difficult to gage the speed on the difficult Sandpiper green’s.  Once you got the ball started on line, the wind would increase the ball’s speed and made putting a nightmare.  I had to be really careful with my approach shot’s because the wind would have a tremendous effect on the ball flight if I did not get a good face angle at impact.”

Crystal, who played a major role in Diamond Bar HS, winning of the California CIF State Championship, has been eager to win a Toyota Tour Cup Championship or an AJGA event.  “She can cross off at least one of those wishes from her “bucket list,” Pinnell said.

Crystal ranked second in Most Pars (21).  She was first in Most Pars or Better with 24, was 2nd in the Par 4 Leaderboard and finished T3 in the Par 5 Leaderboard.  A good season ending win for a youngster who work’s hard to be the best that she can be.

Phenom, Rose Zhang, the number one ranked 12 year old in the United States, finished in a tie for 4th place with a score of 80-81 (161).  Rose birdied the 36th and final hole to move up into her tie for 4th place finish.  Rose finished tied for 1st in stat’s for the Par 3 Leaderboard with a stroke average of 3.1!

Rose told Pinnell, “The wind was like CRAZY.  Every time you had a downwind putt, the ball would pick up speed and a 5 footer would be 10 to 15 footer, coming back.  The wind was blowing so hard it was really hard to maintain balance while hitting shot’s or putting.”  According to Pinnell, Rose had been sick the previous week and was not feeling very well in the 36 hole championship.

in 2015, Rose has had  9 top 8’s (6 top 5 finish’s)  in 13 Toyota Tour Cup Championship’s.  Rose has had a terrific year competing against older girls who out drive her by 30-40 yard’s and who are up to 5 year’s older than Rose.  Rose is currently in third place for Toyota Tour Player of the Year!  A nice year for the 12 year old from Irvine, CA.

Christian Lingamen shot 85-81 (166) to finish in a tie for 41st place in the Boys Toyota Tour Cup while Derek Kim finished tied for 46th with a pair of 84’s (168).

The winning score for the boys was a rather high score of (148).  The cold, windy, rainy condition’s made the championship a “survival test” according to most pla

Congratulation’s to Crystal and Rose for their good play in adverse condition’s and to all player’s who were trying to be the best they can be.

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Testimonials

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.
Lisa Strom,
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.
Enbo Zhang
In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation for you. Working with you has been an amazing opportunity. We appreciate your high standards, your persistence, your encouragement, and your sense of humor.
Chloe Lam and Family
Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell!
Rory Hie2 time NCAA All-American (USC)
I have been working with George since I was 14. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. George’s knowledge and experience gives him the ability to be direct and speak to what changes should be made to improve my performance. Most important, he loves what he does and he is driven by that love. He cares about, and checks scores, for every single tournament his players compete in, no matter how big or small the tournament is. The information and support he gives to his players is really valuable. George once told me that “a player doesn’t know how good a coach is, until they know how much he or she, cares.” He is really good at reading players minds, so be prepared to communicate. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years.
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
Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. Before our friend referred us to Coach George, Angie was at a standstill and shot in the upper 80s and even 90s with consistent back pain after her freshman Fall season in December 2019. That was very frustrating since she started golf late and had only been playing for two and half years. George graciously took her in and then trained her with his life-lessons, his advanced technology equipment, skillful instructions, and star-student- role-model setting. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. Within a little over half year, he was able to get Angie's confidence back and she started shooting within 70s which was previously very rare for her. We are so lucky to be working with a truly talented coach. We could not thank George enough for devoting some of his time to Angie's interest!
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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