Vandeventer Makes the Most of Last AJGA Event

BRISTOL, Va. – When Jay Vandeventer approaches the first tee at the AJGA Junior Championship at the Virginian Golf Club presented by Alpha Resources, he’s going to play make-believe.

“I’m going into it with the mindset that this is a different golf course,” the Bristol, Va., native said. “I’m going to play my practice rounds just like every other golf tournament. I’m going to pretend I’ve never seen it before.”

The truth is, however, the Vandeventer has seen this golf course, probably more than 100 times in his life. And, in all honesty, this tournament, which begins Tuesday at the Virginia Golf Club, is not just any tournament – not for Vandeventer, anyway.

After four years and playing in almost 25 AJGA tournaments, the Junior Championship, which will welcome 132 of the best junior amateur golfers in the world, will be Vandeventer’s last AJGA event. And in some twist of fate, his swan song will take place at his home course, where his father, John, is a member.

“I’m sure with it being his last, it’s a little ironic that it would end up this way after all these years,” the father said. “I’m sure, whether he’ll admit it or not, that will probably give him a little extra incentive.”

Vandeventer is one of the top amateur junior golfers in the nation. He is ranked No. 83 in the Polo Ranking, which are used to rate the nation’s best junior players. Vandeventer has racked up 15 top-10 finishes in national competition during his junior years, his best finish a tie for second at the AJGA’s Aldila Junior Open in Johns Creek, Ga.

Next year, Vandeventer will play for the University of Tennessee.

Despite the padded resume, however, Vandeventer’s win column in AJGA events remains stuck on zero. This week’s Junior Championship represents his last chance to reverse his fortunes. And, according to some, he’s got a pretty good chance.

“It’s a pretty obvious fact, and this is across the board at all our tournaments, when we’re at a private facility those members, they know the course,” AJGA official Chris White said. “They know where to hit it, they know the breaks of the greens.”

Still, White is quick to impose a caveat to his general rule: “The anxiety, the pressure can sometimes be more than the knowledge of the course.”

John Vandeventer agrees.

“This could work in reverse,” he said. “I hope he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself. Anybody that knows anything about golf knows, even though it’s your home course, you still have to play.”

For his part, Jay Vandeventer realizes that golf is fickle. He’s played in countless tournaments and realizes that, sometimes, it’s just not your day. Vandeventer has played in tournaments at the Virginian before, most notably the Tri-Cities Junior Championship. 

When competing at his home track, people will approach him constantly, declaring him the winner before he even strikes a ball.

“I always say, ‘Not necessarily,’ ” Vandeventer said. “It’s always a different golf course. It’s just who’s on fire that day.”

In short, Vandeventer will go nowhere near a Joe Namath-like prediction. He has no problem, however, espousing on the virtues that the AJGA will bring to Bristol with it, especially the experience it offers young Tri-Cities golfers who haven’t tasted competition from beyond the region’s borders.

But while Vandeventer is short on sensation, he will be long on fans come Tuesday – a quiet contingent of Virginian staffers silently pulling for their favorite.

“I think that’s only natural,” Virginian general manager Kenny Kerr said. “I’m going to tell you something about the Vandeventer sons, all four of them: They’re all wonderful people.
They’re all wonderful gentlemen and they’re all very special to us here.”