DUBLIN, OH – The final round of the SOPGA Jr. Tour Championship did not disappoint. Excitement among the players remained, though a more competitive energy was evident amongst the field. The vast majority of players improved on their second round after becoming more comfortable with the infamous golf course. Some familiar names were able to build on solid first round scores and claim victory.
Timmy Hollenbeck overcame a challenging start to the round, in which he was four-over-par through the first four holes. Hollenbeck fought back and showed his experience carding a tournament low score of two-under-par 70, bringing his tournament total to 148. Eagles on either side of the turn at the fifth and the eleventh, combined with four birdies on the day helped Hollenbeck conclude his SOPGA Jr. Tour career with a victory, and a successful defense of the 2022 Tour Championship.
“To be able to conclude my Jr. Tour career here at Jack’s Place with a good round was a great feeling for me,” noted Hollenbeck as he reflected on the event. “The course was in great shape and maybe one day I’ll be able to see my name up on the big scoreboards at Muirfield Village. Coming up the 18th hole and hitting shots into that green with the clubhouse in the background was special.”
Gabe Scherer and Jack Ward provided fantastic competition and went home with some silverware of their own. Scherer followed up his opening round success with two birdies of his own, and a final round at six-over-par 78 and tournament total of 154 to finish in second. Ward found consistency at Muirfield Village Golf Club, shooting a seven-over-par 79 each day for a total of 158. Two birdies on the day helped Ward to a third place finish.
Click here to view the Boys Division Leaderboard.
Saylor Wharff distanced herself in the opening round with a five-stroke-lead and maintained that lead through the final round to be crowned Tour Champion. Two birdies on the back nine and solid putting throughout the tournament helped her on the way to victory. Wharff finished with a 13-over-par 89 on the day, bringing her tournament total to 173.
As Wharff looks forward to her high school season she shared, “I really focused on my putting today and reading the breaks. It was important to keep my composure throughout the round to be able to get the win at this golf course.”
Ally Turner and Angelina Gong climbed the leaderboard to finish second and third respectively on the day. Turner finished the final round with a nine-over-par 81, including ten pars and a tournament total of 178. Gong concluded her tournament at 179 with a 16-over-par 87, adding in seven pars of her own.
Katelyn Miley had an unforgettable day, shooting a personal best with a seven-over-par 79, which was also the low score in the 2023 SOPGA Jr. Tour Championship field in the Girls 13-19 Division. This helped her to a shared fourth place finish alongside Leann Harker who both ended the final event at 180.
Click here to view the Girls Division Leaderboard.
Click here to view the 2023 SOPGA Jr. Tour Championship Photo Gallery.
As the SOPGA Jr. Tour season comes to a close, junior golfers prepare to compete as part of their school teams. Good luck to all the SOPGA Jr. Tour members participating in the High School Golf Season!