Boston, Oct. 14, 2014, — Congratulations are in order for one former MGA Champion.
Paul Lei (Ferncroft CC) – winner of the 2013 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship – was named an HP Scholastic Junior All-American by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Since 1988, HP and the AJGA have come together to recognize 12 young men and 12 young women who demonstrate the ability to excel both on the golf course and in the classroom.
To be eligible to apply for the HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team, boys must have placed in the top 10 of an AJGA Open or Invitational, while girls needed a top-five finish. The selections were then based on the following criteria in order of importance: standardized test scores, GPA, school leadership/community service and writing skills as showcased in an original essay.
Lei, a senior at Phillips Exeter Academy,i is an active leader throughout his high school, serving as the Debate Team co-captain, class treasurer and representative in the student government, Relay for Life team captain and planning committee manager and business manager for two school publications – the PEAL, Exeter’s student life magazine, and Matter Magazine, New England’s first high school science and technology publication.
In addition to his scholastic extracurriculars, Lei is also the co-captain of the varsity golf team and scored a 2350 on the SAT. In 2014, Lei notched his career-best AJGA finish, posting a three-day total of 218 to take second place at the CorseMax / Philadelphia Runner Junior. Lei opened his season with a T14 showing at the Ravenwood Junior Championship and has one other top-10 finish in his AJGA career.
“HP is extremely proud to be part of this program and to recognize the outstanding academic, athletic and community service achievements of these young men and women. Being selected as a member of the 2014 HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team is a high honor and one that each and every one of you should be very proud of,” said John Dayan, vice president, Hewlett-Packard. “The AJGA, working closely with parents and players alike, strives to prepare these young adults for life in college and beyond, by instilling the qualities of honor, integrity, perseverance and sportsmanship. HP and the AJGA are celebrating 27 years of support for this award and its recognition of excellence.”
The HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team will be honored at the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet, Nov. 23, at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. By being named to this team, each player is also eligible to participate in the Polo Golf Junior Classic, one of the most prestigious events in junior golf, which will take place on PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion and Fazio Courses, Nov. 22-28.
Former HP Scholastic Junior All-Americans have gone on to successful amateur and professional golf careers, including Casey Martin (1989), Wendy Ward (1990), Kellee Booth (1992), Cristie Kerr (1994), Matt Kuchar (1994), Scott Langley (2005) and Patrick Rodgers (2009, 2010).