Luckily, the ominous weather held off and 30 juniors were able to compete for a chance to win The Mill Course Jr. Open title.
Starting in the Boys 16-19 division, it was a gauntlet until the end as the top-6 finishers were decided by just 5 strokes. Ultimately, Andy Steed was on top of the leaderboard with a two-over-par 73. Steed had a steady round of golf with just 4 bogeys and complimented his bogeys with his first career eagle to shoot an impressive round of 73. His win at The Mill Course marks his 7th win in his last 7 starts. He has had an incredibly consistent year of golf with 9 wins total and has finished top-7 in every tournament he has teed it up in. In second place, just behind Steed, was Eian Cambria who shot a three-over-par 74 and notched a spot on the podium for the first time this season. Cambria’s two birdies on the front nine led to an even-par opening nine of 35 and he finished solid with a three-over-par back nine score of 39. The third-place battle was decided by two strokes between Ian Rinehart, Griff Turner, and Zach Hartley. In the end, it was Ian Rinehart who edged out his respected competitors with a score of four-over-par 75. His three birdies on the day were enough to claim a spot on the podium by one stroke.
Moving over to the Girls’ 16-19 division, we had another tight race for the title. Alana Miller claimed her first victory of the season by one stroke with a score of 83. Miller has finished top-4 in every tournament she has played in this season and hopes to continue her solid play moving forward. Abby Haywood added to her podium tally taking home second place with a score of 84. Haywood has won three tournaments so far and her second-place finish makes it four podium finishes for her. Third place was decided by three strokes, and it was Ava Bressler who cracked into the podium for the second time. Bressler carded a 93 to earn the bronze medal.
In the Boys 13-15 division it was Brandt Lopez who ran away with the title, winning his first start of the season with a score of 77. Lopez had two birdies on the day and ended up winning by a six-stroke margin. The second-place finisher, Elijah Rand, carded a twelve-over-par score of 83 and earned his second podium finish of the season. Finishing in third place was Noah Koski with a score of 86. Koski edged out John Mitchell by one stroke and was able to place on the podium for the first time.
Three girls in the 13-15 division teed it up with their eyes on the gold medal. It came down to just one stoke between the three competitors and it was Bekah Hartley who captured her second victory of the season with a score of 109. Just behind her was Addison Koenig and Taree Martin who both shot 110. The silver and bronze medals were decided by a scorecard playoff and it was Addison Koenig who took home the silver medal in her first event of the season. Taree Martin took home the bronze medal and landed on the podium for the third time.
Last but not least, four boys in the 9-12 (9-holes) were up for the challenge at The Mill. Oliver Smyth claimed his first victory of the season with a ten-over-par 45. Jordan Hurst captured the silver medal with a score of 48 and right behind him was Braylon Bohn with a score of 49.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Click here for Player of the Year Standings.
Thank you to Andrew Horner, PGA and The Mill Course for hosting the SOPGA Jr. Tour and congratulations to all of our competitors on a solid day of golf!