Hamilton fires low for win Shears holds onto lead
The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour spent April 19-20 in Lexington, Kentucky for the College Prep Series at the University of Kentucky. The two round tournament was played at The University Club, Wildcat Course where all 36 holes were completed. They were three age divisions, Boys 15-18, Boys 11-14, and Girls 15-18. The winners from each division received a bid to the Mid-Season Invitational and 2014 Tour Championship. Four AJGA Performance Stars were awarded to the winner of the Girls 15-18 division. The top 15 finishers in the divisions also received points for year-end honors which include state teams, ALL HJGT teams and the Hurricane Cup. Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings were awarded to the field as well.
With a come from behind victory in the Boys 15-18 division was Allen Hamilton of Louisville, Kentucky. Hamilton started his first day strong with a front nine score of 35, one under, but struggled down the stretch to leave him one stroke back of the lead. During the second round, Hamilton surged to the lead with an impressive eight difference, for a 70 on the day. The key for Hamilton was holding it together on the back nine which allowed him to fire a two day total of 148. He finished with six birdies, tied for most in the division. After a spirited first round of golf, Jake Mattingly of Louisville, Kentucky took the early lead with a score of 77. Mattingly began slowly during round one, but turned it on the second half of the day due to his two birdies. The second round proved to be a tight and competitive battle. In the end Mattingly’s second round score of 73 wasn’t enough to hold off Hamilton. Mattingly ended up taking home the second place trophy with a weekend total of 150. He finished with six birdies on the weekend, tied for most in the division. The third place trophy was split between Chase Landrum of Glasgow, Kentucky and Mason Lenhart of Prospect, Kentucky. Both had first round scores of 79 and second round scores of 74 to give themselves a total of 163 for the tournament. Landrum finished with four birdies while Lenhart finished with three.
The Girls 15-18 division was won by Adeena Shears of Elizabeth, West Virginia. She led from the start as she was the early leader after firing an 84 in round one. Shears really struggled on the front nine, but played well the back half, including one birdie, to give herself the lead. It was a tight race though as many players were hot on her heels throughout the round. Day two however was total domination for Shears. She carded a 75, including three birdies, to give herself a two day total of 159 which was a commanding seven stroke lead over the second place finisher. Shears four birdies on the weekend were the most in the division and her 17 pars were tied for most. Finishing in second place was Gypsie Hutchinson of Lexington, Kentucky. She was able to sneak into the second place spot with a strong second day score of 79 which gave her a 166 for the weekend. She had one birdie on the weekend that occurred during round one. Finishing in third place was Sarah Son of Simpsonville, Kentucky. She sat one stroke back of Shears with a score of 85 at the end of round one. Son played well on the front nine during round one with a score of 38, +2, but fell apart on the back to leave her one stroke behind. Son was consistent with a second round score of 83 for a weekend total of 168. She finished with 17 pars, tied for most in the division.
In the Boys 11-14 division, Adam Hooker of Lebanon, Virginia and Christian Olsen of Louisville, Kentucky finished round one tied for first. Both carded an 81 to give themselves a share of the lead. On day two Olsen and Hooker went back and forth again for the lead, until Hooker finally took control for good on hole 15 and never looked back. Hooker ended up winning the division by posting a 77 in round two for a weekend total of 158. He had one birdie in the round and 22 pars, the most in the division. Olsen finished in second place by posting a 79 in the final round for a weekend total of 160. He had two birdies and 21 pars on the weekend. Dawson McDaniel of Bowling Green, Kentucky took home the third place trophy. He finished with a total of 163 by carding rounds of 85 and 78. He had three birdies on the weekend, the most in the division. Weather: Day 1- 70’s and sunny with a strong wind Day 2- 70’s and sunny with a light breeze Tournament Yardage: Boys 15-18: 6600 yards Boys 11-14: 6000 yards Girls 15-18: 5600 yards About Us: The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) was founded in 2008 with the intention of providing junior golfers between the ages of 11-18 an opportunity to play exceptional courses in a competitive environment. The tour’s vision is to provide superb hospitality and make every event a memorable one. With play open to both males and females, nearly every junior golfer is eligible to participate on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Based out of Jacksonville, FL, the HJGT administers events all across the country. In 2014 the HJGT will conduct events in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Indiana, and Connecticut. For more info, please visit our website at www.hjgt.org, call the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour headquarters at (904) 379-2697, or email at info@hjgt.org