The SOPGA Jr. Tour’s #MarchToMuirfield continued at the Lancaster Jr. Open, hosted by Lancaster Golf Club. Players took to the historic Donald Ross design to earn coveted March to Muirfield Points.
The boys 16-19 division led the way off of the first tee. Coming off of a solid tournament at the Granville Jr. Classic, Reid Seimetz was ready to go. Seimetz used two birdies during his round to catapult to the top of the leaderboard and claim his first win on the SOPGA Jr. Tour. Owen Van Fossen battled back after a slow start, but ultimately fell just short of winning his first ever start with the SOPGA Jr. Tour. Following closely behind Van Fossen was Bo White, also making his first appearance on the SOPGA Jr. Tour. White ended the day in third place, claiming the bronze medal.
The girls 16-19 division came down to the wire at Lancaster Golf Club. In the end, it was Olivia Howard who claimed the gold medal. Howard played the challenging par 5’s at one-under-par for the tournament. Finishing in second place for the tournament was Addi Burris. Burris, who was looking to ride the momentum of claiming her spot at the SOPGA Jr. Tour, made three birdies on the day to finish alone in second place. Olivia Hensen was determined not to let a slow start stop her from a strong finish. Improving by two strokes on the back nine, Hensen was able to finish on the podium for the tournament in third place.
Meanwhile, a war was raging in the boys 13-15 division. Five players ended the tournament within four strokes of the lead. Lucas Massa was determined to add a third win to his season thus far. Massa played a steady round of golf, and claimed the gold medal. Henry Jutte used a birdie on the difficult par four 15th hole to finish the day in second place, his first top three finish of the year. Rounding out the podium was Nolan Hockett. Hockett played one of the most consistent rounds on the course and finished in third place.
Mary Helber claimed the top spot in the girls 13-15 division, her first win of the season. Finishing in second place for the division was Isabelle Perini. Both girls improved on their back nine to finish the tournament strong!
Three competitors in the boys 9-12 division took on the challenge of playing 18 holes at Lancaster Golf Club. Benjamin Vo led the way for the division thanks to two birdies on his opening nine holes. Closely behind Vo was Declan Hardy. Hardy has had a strong season on the SOPGA Jr. Tour so far, and his performance at Lancaster Golf Club is no exception. Rounding out the trio was Cooper Smith in his second event of the year.
Five boys from 9-12 were competing in the nine hole division of the Lancaster Jr. Open. Graham Gilbert continues to show his prowess within the division with another win, his second of the year. Finishing two strokes behind Gilbert was Brody Biegler. Biegler played an incredibly consistent round of golf to grab the silver medal. Rounding out the top three was Rocco Eusanio. Eusanio battled all day to claim third place.
Two girls battled it out over 18 holes in the 9-12 year old division. Amelia Buettner put on a clinic throughout the round. Buettner made six birdies on the day en route to a first place finish thanks to a two-over-par 74. Finishing in second place for the event was Rylee Bogan, in her first ever SOPGA Jr. Tour event.
Thank you to Ben Moore, PGA and Lancaster Golf Club for hosting the SOPGA Jr. Tour!
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