TACOMA – Bainbridge golfer Sam Warkentin was ranked as the No. 2 player in the boys division at the recent 2015 Pacific Northwest Junior PGA Championship tournament at Lake Spanaway Golf Course in Tacoma.

The top golfers in both boys and girls divisions qualified to compete in the 40th Junior PGA Championship in August at Miramont Country Club in College Station, Texas.

Warkentin was only seven strokes behind the first-place winner — Spencer Tibbits of Vancouver, Wash. — who posted a final-round 67 for a two-day tournament total of 133.

The Junior PGA Championship is open to one boy and one girl champion from each of the 41 PGA Sections, champions of the nine PGA Junior Series events, select national junior tournaments conducted throughout the year and special invitees who have yet not reached their 19th birthdays as of the final round of the championship.

The Junior PGA Championship has traditionally been a stepping stone for many of today’s PGA and LPGA professionals, as well as current collegiate stars.

Past competitors who have gone on to successful professional careers include Inbee Park, Luke Guthrie, Trevor Immelman, Cristie Kerr, Justin Leonard, Hunter Mahan, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Grace Park, Dottie Pepper, Jordan Spieth, Lexi Thompson, David Toms, Michelle Wie and Tiger Woods.