Sixteen year old Hunter Howell of Raeford, NC (2008) fired a round of 2 under par 69 to open the Pine Needles Jr. Golf Classic. After a frost delay play began as an 11am shotgun. Howell, who won at Duke over Thanksgiving, had to play under frost delay conditions there as well. He leads fellow North Carolinian, Will Collins of Salisbury (2007) by 1 stroke. The highlight of Collins' day was an eagle on the par 5 1st hole. He leads another North Carolinian, senior Robert Womble of Raleigh. Womble who has had a busy senior year, is playing his first FCWT event of the season. He leads Donnie Shin of Columbia, MD, by one. Shin was the winner of the FCWT Back Creek event in October and has two other top 5s since then at Bermuda Run and Duke. Sam Beach of Glen Allen, VA and Paul Shorkey of Charlotte, NC are at +2 and tied for 5th. Tripp Brizendine, Chesson Hadley and Kyle Sonday are tied for 7th place at +3. Joe Monte of Chantilly, VA (2007) is in 10th place - 6 strokes back of Howell.
In the 13-15 division, Michael McGowan of Southern Pines leads the field by one stroke going into the final round. Michael's round of 1 under par 70, is not his best score on his home course - so watch for him tomorrow! In a tie for 2nd are Lee Knox and Spencer Lawson of Raleigh, both at 71. Seth Reeves and Danny Kim are T4 heading into the final round of play on Sunday.
Jordan Ridge and Hunter Ross are tied in the Girls division - with 13 year old Whitney Rhodes just 5 strokes back. |
