The Blue Devil Junior Golf Classic defending champion, Elizabeth Alger of Tequesta, FL, came alive on Saturday and put herself in position to defend her title. Miss Alger who is coming back from injury earlier this year, showed her pre-injury form as she posted a round of 1 over par on Saturday, despite the frost delay and cold morning temperatures. On Sunday, was a bit warmer than Saturday's start, but also a bit wetter. Rain visited the course off and on during the late morning and early afternoon on Sunday.
Earning the Low Round award and moving up the leaderboard to finish in second place was Sarah Whitney of Hingham, MA (2007). Sarah led this division in pars with 35 for the event. Maybe, begin a New Englander, Sarah is more used to this late fall weather than some of the other girls. Thirteen-year-old Christine Meier of Rochester Hills, MI (2010), finished in 3rd place, just one stroke back of Sarah. Louisa Shu of West Bloomfield, MI (2007) finished in 4th place and Julie Saleeby of Raleigh, NC finished in 5th.
On Saturday, Hunter Howell of Raeford, NC (2007), playing in his first FCWT event, carded a round of 72 to take a one stroke lead over Adam Long of St. Charles, MO and Zachary Drescher of Landisville, PA (2007). On Sunday, under cold and rainy conditions, Howell was able to card a 76 and finish 3 strokes ahead of Drescher for the win. Howell's steady, consistent play earned him his first FCWT win and an exemption to the FCWT National Championship over the Memorial Day weekend. Howell will also be invited along with the other Top 5 finishers in this event to the Tanglewood Jr. Golf Invitational in March. Drescher, who was also playing in his first FCWT event, held on to finish 2nd, one stroke ahead of Spence Fulford. Fulford, who is from nearby Rocky Mount, NC, was one of three players to card an even par round on day three and tie for Low Round honors. Fulford, who started the day out of the top 5, finished strong with 4 birdies on Sunday. Also carding final rounds of even par 72 were: Alex Frankel of Atlanta, GA (2008), who finished 13th and Kyle Thomas of Fishers, IN (2006), who finished T19. Finishing in 4th place was Adam Long of St. Charles, MO (2006), who has signed a Letter of Intent to play at Duke next season. Finishing in 5th place was the winner of the Back Creek event, Donnie Shin of Columbia, MD (2007). We would be remiss not to congratulate last year's winner of this event, Chesson Hadley of Raleigh, NC (2006), who advanced to the Quarterfinals of the POLO this week.
On Saturday in the boys 13-15 division, Evan Beck of Virginia Beach, VA (2009) overtook thirteen year old Richard Werenski of South Hadley, MA, and never looked back. With rounds of 77-75-77 Beck finished 2 strokes ahead of Alex Lyall of Novi, MI (2008). Lyall finished one stroke ahead of round one leader Richard Werenski of South Hadley, MA. Werenski led this division in birdies with 8. John Weldon of Pilot Mountain, NC (2008), who posted the Low Round on the final day, finished in 4th place and Christopher Walker of The Woodlands, TX (2008), who has won twice already this season, finished in 5th place.
Eleven year old Michael Werenski of South Hadley, MA fired a round of 75 on Saturday including an eagle on #10 to take over the lead in the boys 11-12 division from twelve year old Noah Walker of Norwell, MA (2011). Werenski held onto that lead on Sunday and finished 14 strokes ahead of the field to earn his second win of the season. |
