Photo by Chronicle file

By John Coscia

When the 33rd Junior PGA Championship tees off Wednesday morning, Citrus County will be represented in the elite field by one of its own, Nick Brothers.

The Citrus High graduate who helped carry his team to regional and state berths this past spring will be join the best-of-the-best junior amateurs at the TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio, for the PGA of America’s annual event.

“The PGA of America is excited about the opportunity to bring the Junior PGA Championship to TPC River’s Bend,” said President Brian Whitcomb. “The layout and design by one of golf’s greatest, Arnold Palmer, will test each competitor and make for another exciting Junior PGA Championship in 2008.”

Brothers earned the privilege to compete in the national championship by winning the Orange County National two-day qualifier in Winter Garden. Brothers shared the lead after the first day in the 33-man field event with an opening round of 1-under par 71. Brothers answered with an even better performance on the second day, shooting a 4-under 68 to win the event by one stroke.

“I had a bogey-free round and made four birdie putts,” Brothers said. “I’m really looking forward to going to Ohio for the Junior PGA Championship. I’ll have to play four great rounds of golf because I’ll be playing against the best there is. But it’s going to be fun.

Chris Wood, PGA professional, general manager and director of golf at TPC River’s Bend, expressed his eagerness to bring the PGA Junior Championship to the Greater Cincinnati area.

“Our club wants to host the biggest and best,” he said. “Anytime a club and its members are able to host an event like this, it is nothing short of great.”

Wood also believes that the surrounding communities will rally behind the Junior PGA Championship. “We are confident the entire community will embrace this Championship with the same passion and enthusiasm as our membership,” Wood said. “They will not only follow the boys and girls around the course during the week of the Junior PGA Championship, but also follow their future careers and see how they develop as golfers.”

Established in 1976, The Junior PGA Championship www.pga.com/juniors} has traditionally produced unforgettable golf performances, bringing together the best junior golfers from around the country to compete for the Jack Nicklaus Trophy in the boys’ division and the Patty Berg Trophy in the girls’ division. The Championship has been a stepping stone for competitors to either collegiate or Tour professional careers.

The list of past champions includes some of the most prominent current PGA TOUR players: Billy Andrade (1981), Billy Mayfair (1982), 2001 PGA Champion David Toms (1984), Sean O’Hair (1998), reigning U.S. Women’s Open Champion Cristie Kerr (1995), Trevor Immelman (1996), Grace Park (1996), Aree Song (1999, 2000), In-Bee Park (2001, ‘02) and 2007 LPGA Rookie of the Year Angela Park (2004).