Twelve Players Shoot Under Par; Dilanni Captures First Place

The Tarheel Junior Golf Tour showed tremendous talent in the “UNC Tarheel Junior Championship.”  A strong field controlled the golf course in round two with twelve players shooting sub par rounds, and three players making an eagle.  Playing partners Jared Crouch of Cary, NC and Patrick Stephenson of Four Oaks, NC shared excitement on the seventh hole after they both shot an eagle.  A crowd of family, friends, and four college coaches were there to watch the event, including two ACC Division One coaches. 

Jonathan Dilanni of Kernersville, NC shot five under par for a two day total of 138 (71-68—138) to win the overall high school boys division and the junior/senior division.  Dilanni played consistent golf to finish with one eagle, seven birdies, and three bogeys.  Followed closely behind with a 139 were Dylan Harris (71-68—139) of Southern Pines, NC, Jackson Spires (69-70—139) of Fayetteville, NC, and Zachary Bauchou (68-71—139) of Forest, VA.  Harris placed second in the junior/senior division, while Spires earned first place in the freshman/sophomore division after going back to the course and defeating Bauchou in a sudden death playoff.  Todd Eckstein of Durham, NC rounded out the junior/senior division in third place with a two day total of 145.  Christian Cichan of Charlotte, NC finished third in the freshman/sophomore division after a scorecard playoff against Doc Redman. 

David Baker of Weddington, NC led the middle school division with a two day total of 137 (66-71—137).  Baker shot a tournament low of 66 in round one and finished with eight birdies and one bogey.   Stephenson’s eagle helped him earn second place and finish the tournament three under par (72-69—141).  Baker and Stephenson were followed by Matt Simmons of Goldsboro, NC with a 145 (76-73—145).

Tara Simmons of Goldsoboro, NC shot one over par for a two day total of 146 (73-73—146) to win the high school girls division by nine strokes.  Mary Nogay of Silverspring, MD placed second after a scorecard playoff with Jessica Kittelberger of Raleigh, NC.  Emilia Migliaccio of Cary, NC placed first in the middle school girls division with a two day total of 153 (72-81—153). 

The next Tarheel Junior Golf Tournament is the “Junior Memorial” at the National on May 28-29.  This major event will end the 2011 spring with double the points and the winner will receive a Joe Cheves exemption.

Bae Wins the Robert Trent Jones “Middle School Championship” with Consistency!

Robert Trent Jones “Middle School Championship” at Carolina Trace (Round Two)

Sanford, NC

The near perfect golf weather stayed in Sanford on Sunday and the Tarheel Junior Golf Tour took advantage.  The players adapted to the tricky fairways and the average scores were lower in the second round.   Bryce Hendrix of Greenville, NC and Alec Patsey of Cary, NC kept their game faces on and had an amazing comeback.  Hendrix shot two over par to improve by fourteen strokes and Patsey shot even par to improve by fifteen strokes.   Several other players showed immense improvement, but it was consistency that won the tournament for Eric Bae of Raleigh, NC in the boys division.   

Bae played two excellent rounds of golf with scores of 71-72 for a two day total of 143.  This victory was well deserved for Bae after competing in the high school division for several previous tournaments.  Bae has worked hard to improve his game and he showed his talent with a one stroke win.   David Song of Greensboro, NC shot 70-74 to place second with a two day total of 144.  Doc Redman of Raleigh, NC placed third with a two day total of 148 (75-73).  Song, Bae, and Redman are pictured from left to right.   

In the girls division, Siranon Shoomee of Sanford, NC shot 84-76 to win with a two day total of 160.  Shoomee played her home course with great confidence and earned her second victory in 2011.  Kayla Ward of Raleigh, NC placed second place.  Ward and  Shoomee are pictured from left to right.   

The next Tarheel Junior Golf tournament is the UNC Tarheel Junior Championship at UNC Finley on May 14-15.  The field is over eighty percent full with some of the Tarheel Golf Foundation’s top-ranked golfers already registered.   Register online at www.tarheelgolf.org

Song shoots 2 under par to lead the Robert Trent Jones “Middle School Championship”

Robert Trent Jones “Middle School Championship” at Carolina Trace (Round One)

Sanford, NC

Although the weather was near perfect with sunny skies and calm winds, the Robert Trent Jones Championship course proved to be a challenge for the middle school players in the Tarheel Junior Golf Tour.  The combination of narrow fairways and meandering creeks made the course extremely tough to play. 

David Song of Greensboro, NC shot an impressive 70 (two strokes under par) to lead the boys division.  Eric Bae of Raleigh, NC is one stroke off the lead with a 71.  Song and Bae were the only two players to shoot sub-par.  Doc Redman of Raleigh, NC follows closely behind with a 75.  Redman,  a recent winner of the Callaway Junior World Qualifier, will look to come from behind and win his second event in a row.   In the girls division, Siranon Shoomee of Sanford, NC shot an 84 to capture a four stroke lead over Kayla Ward of Raleigh, NC.

DOUBLE THE POINTS in the Robert Trent Jones “Middle School Championship”

All middle school players are invited to play two rounds of exciting golf at Carolina Trace on April 30- May 1. 

Bring your caddie and your “A” game to experience the unforgettable “creek” course!

With the end of the season approaching, the points’ race is still up for grabs.  The last three tournaments are all “major” events with double the points.  The winner of the “Middle School Championship” will receive 3600 points!  It is a tight race in the middle school division, but with three more events, one of the magnificent championship crystal trophies could be yours!   The player with the greatest number of points will receive Player of the Year, while the player with the lowest stroke average will receive Most Valuable Player.

This event will be very competitive and fun!  The championship design golf course, with its tough greens and changing elevations, is guaranteed to provide excitement for everyone!

Register today to play two rounds of competitive golf, and to enjoy the spectacular landscape at Carolina Trace in Sanford, NC.

Register online @ www.tarheelgolf.org.  The deadline to register is April 23, 2011.

Sargent Shoots Three Under Par to Claim First Place

Callaway Junior World Qualifier at Chapel Ridge Golf Course (Round Two)

Pittsboro, NC

With over four inches of rain in the last two days, the over 7,000 yard golf course became even tougher to play with the course stretching farther.  The sun eventually made its presence and the temperature broke into the mid 70′s.  The warmer weather built confidence for everyone.    

It was a tight race in the Boys 15-17, with five players shooting below par.  David Sargent of Davidson, NC shot a tournament low of 69 (three under par) to come from behind and claim first place.  Sargent’s two-day total of 141 earned him his first TGF victory and an exemption into the prestigious Callaway Junior World in California.  Sargent played two outstanding rounds of golf and will be a great person to represent North Carolina and the Tarheel Golf Foundation in San Diego.  Carter Jenkins of Raleigh, NC and Christain Cichan of Charlotte, NC made the race for second very entertaining.  Their two-day total of 147 tied for second and led to a sudden death three-hole playoff.  Jenkins and Cichan each made a par on the first and second holes, but Jenkins earned second place with a par on the third hole when Cichan’s putt for par barely missed the hole.  Benjamin Griffin, Michael Hocker, and Caleb Keck were also on top of the leaderboard with a two-day total of 148.

The Boys 13-14 was also a tight race with Doc Redman of Raleigh, NC rallying from behind to shot 72 (even par) and capture first place with a total of 149.  Redman’s victory was well-deserved, as he improved five strokes from day one.  Only two strokes separated first and second place, with David Baker of Weddington, NC placing second with a total of 151.  William Gordon of Davidson, NC placed third with a total of 153. 

Andrew Spiegler of Abingdon, VA played consistently well to earn a two-stroke victory over Brian Chen of Cary, NC in the Boys 11-12.  Although Spiegler was the top finisher, Chen will earn the exemption to the Callaway Junior World because of age cut-offs.

In the Girls 15-17, Katelyn Seymour of Wake Forest, NC shot an 84 for a two-day total of 164 to take first place.  Kaitlin Neumann of Valley City, OH placed second and Mary-Katelyn Holanek of Cary, NC placed third.  In the Girls 11-12, Kayla Ward of Raleigh, NC played exceptionally well to earn first place. 

Thank you again to everyone who competed and to those who traveled long distances from Canada, South Africa, Ohio, and West Virginia. 

The next TGF event is our annually Robert Trent Jones Middle School Championship at Carolina Trace on April 30-May 1.  This event will be followed by the UNC Tarheel Junior  Championship on May 14-15 for middle school and high school players.

Turlington shoots under par to lead the Callaway Junior World Qualifier

Callaway Junior World Qualifier at Chapel Ridge (Round One)

Pittsboro, NC

With two inches of rain the night before, the Signature Fred Couples’ designed golf course played tough with only one player shooting under par.   The unexpected cold temperature was an added obstacle, since the previous day’s temperature was in the 80′s.  The field is very competitive with almost eighty players, including players who traveled long distances from Canada, South Africa, Ohio, and West Virginia. 

Festus Turlington of Clinton, NC shot a 71 (one under par) to capture a one-stroke lead over David Sargent in the Boys 15-17.  Following closely behind with a 73 is Caleb Keck and Christian Cichan.  In the Boys 13-14, David Baker of Weddington, NC shot a 73 to lead the way.  He is followed by William Gordon and Matthew Brittain both with a 76.  Andrew Spiegler of Abingdon, VA shot an 81 to lead the Boys 11-12.  Brian Chen is four strokes off the lead with an 85. 

Katelyn Seymour of Wake Forest, NC started strong to lead the Girls 15-17 with an 80.  She has a seven-stroke lead over Kailtin Neumann and Mary-Katelyn Holanek.  In the Girls 11-12, Kayla Ward of Raleigh, NC leads with a 93.   

Tee times for round two begin at 10:00 AM.  To view the complete results, visit www.tarheelgolf.org

The deadline to register for the Callaway Junior Qualifier is almost here!

The deadline to register for the Callaway Junior Qualifier at Chapel Ridge Golf Club is April 5.  This is expected to be one of our largest fields ever with almost eighty players already registered.

Do not miss your chance to play on Fred Couples’ signature design golf course! 

The course will be set up for ages and yardages recommended by the Callaway Junior World Committee. 

The Callaway Junior World has influenced the game of golf for over fifty years.  Among the many PGA Tour players that have participated in the Callaway Junior World are Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, and Retif Goosen.  This is your opportunity to walk the same fairways!