2004 Junior Sectional Challenge Match

Northwest Team Takes GSGA Junior Sectional Challenge Match

ATHENS, Ga. - The Northwest section won both the boys 16-17 division and the boys 12-13 division and collected a tournament total of 18 points to edge the Southwest section by a point at the GSGA's Junior Sectional Challenge Match, which was played at the University of Georgia Golf Course, July 22-23. The Southeast section took third with16 points.

The Northwest's Robert Andrews of Woodstock, who shot a 69 in the competition's opening round, picked up six points for his team by capturing the boys 16-17 division with a final round score of 76, giving him a 145 total. Will Jones, also of the Northwest section, finished at the top of the boys 12-13 division (75-77-152). Sam Curtis, playing out of the boys 14-15 division, and Blaine Woodruff, of the boys 11 and under, each tallied three points for the Northwest section.

Evan Hanna (boys 14-15) and Anna Leigh Keith (girls 13 and under) each won their division and collected six points for the Southwest section. Hanna shot a final round 70 for a tournament total of 146 to edge the West's Michael Lee by one stroke. Keith added a 38 to her first-round 41 to take her division by three strokes over Catherine Leach of the Northeast section.

The Southeast section was unable to capture a division win but collected four points from Erica Still's second place finish in the girls 14-17 division. Matt Deal (4), Mitch Baxley (2), and Ben Lee (1) each collected points out of the boys 16-17 division. Dustin Allen and Blaine Bunch tallied 3 and 2 points, respectively, playing out of the boys 12-13 division.

Carmen Bandea of the Northeast section finished nine strokes ahead of the field in the girls 14-17 division after firinga final-round 76. She finished the tournament five over par with a 151 total. The West's Jon Howard and Jimmy Beck finished in first and second place each carding a tournament total of 78. Howard won the division after recording a par in a one-hole playoff with Beck.

 

Proceeding play on Thursday afternoon, the contestants competed in long drive and putting competitions within each age division. The long drive of the day came from Mitch Baxley of the boys 16-17 division with a drive of 340 yards. Sarah Mooney had a 272-yard drive to take the title in the girls 14-17 division. Kent Crymes out drove the boys 14-15 division with a 297-yard drive. The boys 12-13 group was won with a 308-yard drive by Tom Hardy and the 11and under boys division was won by Jake Evans with 237 yards. Jessica Welch drove the ball 175 yards to take the girl 13 and under group.

The putting competition took place on a nine-hole practice putting course located at the University of Georgia Golf Course practice facilities. Garrett Bailey won the boys 11 and under age division with a score of 22. Collin Ho took the boys 12-13 group with a 21. Evan Hanna shot a 20 to win the boys 14-15 division. Charles Holtzclaw rolled the ball 22 times to take the boys 16-17 group. Catherine Leach scored a 20 to win the girls 13 and under division, and Alei Mitchell rolled a 24 to win the girls 14-17. PGA pro Davis Love III was also on hand and scored 21 on the putting course.

The Junior Sectional Challenge Match is a statewide competition that brings together the top performers from the summer-long GSGA Junior Sectional Program, which was founded in 1974. Participants earned the opportunity to compete and represent their section in the tournament by accumulating points in their section's four qualifying events. Each of the seven geographic sections sends their top four point earners from each boys age division and the top two from each girls division to the Challenge Match. The Junior Sectional Program was established by the Georgia State Golf Association as a grassroots effort to provide juniors across the state with the opportunity to experience competitive golf. The Southeast team won by 24 points in 2002.

Final Results

1 Northwest 18
2 Southwest 17
3 Southeast 16
4 West 14
5 Northeast 12
6 East 6
7 Middle 1