2003 Junior Sectional Challenge Match

Southeast Team Repeats at GSGA Junior Sectional Challenge Match

DUBLIN, Ga. - The Southeast Section won both Girls divisions and finished strong in the Boys 14-15 division to secure an eight-point victory at the GSGA's Junior Sectional Challenge Match, which was played at Dublin Country Club, July 23-24. The Northwest section took second with 19 points, with the Southwest section finishing third at 16 points.

The Southeast's Gina Gibson of Statesboro, who finished third in the Georgia Girls' Championship in June, picked up six points for her team by capturing the Girls 14-17 division with scores of 75-81-156. Jayne Curtis of the Northwest finished second (82-79-161). Third and fourth went to the Southwest with Elizabeth Monahan shooting 85-78-163 and Laura Lindsey carding 85-89-174. The Southeast picked up another point with Alex Brown's fifth place finish (87-91-178).

Earning the Southeast team ten points with their one-two finish were Tess Fordaham and Amelia Hill, who tied in the Girls 13 and under with a two-day, 18-hole score of 92. Cherishton Brett (Middle) finished third at 94, Latasha Hinton (West) was fourth at 95 and Abby Johnson (Northeast) picked up the final point with a 103.

The West's Matt Nagy ran away with the Boys 14-15 Division, shooting a one-over 145 (73-72) to finish eight strokes ahead of Chad Wilson (Northwest) and Tyler Arnold (Southeast). Arnold contributed three points to the Southeast's winning effort, having dropped to third after a scorecard playoff. The Southeast also picked up three points for fourth and fifth place finishes by Coleman Calhoun and Michael Clark, who both shot 155.

The Northeast's Seth McCain, who finished sixth at the Georgia Junior Championship in June, won the Boys 16-17 by two strokes, shooting one-over 145 (72-73). Mitchell Harris contributed four points to the Southeast team's total with his second place finish (74-73-147). Three players shot 148 and, after a scorecard playoff, Brandon Anthony (Southwest) claimed third, Jared Barwick (Northwest) finished fourth and Jerel Lake (Northeast) took fifth.

The West's David Shoemaker emerged as the winner in the Boys 12-13. Shoemaker won a scorecard playoff against Timothy Kim of the Northwest after they both finished at 150. Taylor Ford (Middle) was third at 155 and Tom Hardy (East) finished fourth at 156. Sam Curtis (Northwest) took fifth in a playoff with Sam Bhimani (Southeast). Both shot 157.

The Southwest's John Fordham came from behind in the Boys 11 and under division, shooting a nine-hole score of one-under 35 for a two-day total of 77, one stroke better than the Northwest's Hunter Brooks who shot 38-40-78. Taylor Winn (Middle) finished third at 79 after scores of 38-41. William Sigg (East) picked up fourth after a scorecard playoff with Trey McQuaig (Southwest). Both players shot 80.

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.

GSGA conducts 17 statewide competitions for men and women of all age groups, three interstate matches and 17 USGA qualifying events each year. Other services include computerized handicapping, course rating and measuring, Golf Georgia magazine and two college scholarship programs.

Final Results

Team Points
1 - Southeast 27
2 - Northwest 19
3 - Southwest 16
4 - West 14
5 - Middle 9
6 - Northeast 8
7 - East 3