IRVING, TX National Junior Squad member Ricky Kato (NSW) is one of four top junior golfers in the world to be honoured at this week s 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas has announced that Kato, Wyndham Clark (Greenwood Village, Colorado) and South Carolina pair Matthew NeSmith (North Augusta) and Cody Proveaux (Leesville) will receive the Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards. Ricky Kato, New South Wales, Australia Kato recently won the 2012 Tasmanian Open, is the No. 1 ranked junior golfer in Australia and is a member of the 2012 Golf Australia National Junior Squad. Wyndham Clark, Greenwood Village, Colorado Clark is currently ranked No. 25 in the AJGA Polo Rankings and was the winner of the 2010 Colorado State Amateur Championships and is the 2011 Colorado State 4A High School Champion. Wyndham has committed to Oklahoma State University starting this fall. Matthew NeSmith, North Augusta, South Carolina NeSmith was named a 2011 AJGA First Team All American, is currently ranked No. 2 in the AJGA Polo Rankings and has been a three time All-State selection in South Carolina. He has committed to play golf at the University of South Carolina in the fall. Cody Proveaux, Leesville, South Carolina Proveaux is the reigning AJGA Player of the Year and is currently ranked No. 4 in the AGJA rankings. He was a 2011 AJGA First Team All American and won the 2011 Junior PGA Championship. Proveaux has committed to attend Clemson University. Awards criteria included not only golfing skill, but academic success and significant community involvement. “The outstanding character of each of these young men is something Byron looked for as he mentored young golfers,” said Bill Wilshusen, chairman of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas. “It&aposs only fitting that on what would have been his hundredth birthday we continue his mission of recognising and nurturing the next generation of the game he loved.” The awards recipients will attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship and an Awards Dinner presented by American Airlines on Saturday, May 19 at TPC Four Seasons. The Awards were created in 2008 to honour Byron Nelson and his renowned mentoring and support of young golfers. About the Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards The Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards were created to continue Byron Nelson&aposs legacy for encouraging and mentoring young golfers. Each year, the Salesmanship Club works with professional golfers and golf officials to identify young athletes from around the world who distinguish themselves with a high level of junior tournament play as well as excellence in academics, a commitment to community service and exceptional character. The recipients are invited to Dallas for the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards are intended to recognize that junior golf is growing internationally and serves as a feeder system for the PGA TOUR, European Tour and other golf circuits worldwide. Many of the current PGA TOUR professionals were identified through their participation and victories in various national and international junior tournaments.
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