Laurel Hill Junior Shootout

(March 25th-26th, 2017)

  The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour traveled to Lorton, VA to host the Laurel Hill Junior shootout at the Laurel Hill Golf Course. This weekend’s field featured 65 competitive players throughout all six age divisions, including 51 boys in the 14-18 age range. Spectators were treated with warm weather reaching the high 70s on Saturday but come Sunday, temperatures dropped into the low 40s, featuring cold winds throughout the round. It was a pleasure to host this weekend’s event at such a well maintained and respectable course as Laurel Hill and the HJGT staff would like to thank the staff and friendly faces at Laurel Hill Golf Course for all their help and hard work this weekend. At stake during this tournament an exemption into the 2017 National Championship December 2-3, 2017 and exemption into the 2017 Mid Season Invitational at Sea Island Plantation, June 11-13 for the top three finishers in each division, 2017, AJGA Performance Stars, Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings, and points for top 10 finishers that go to end of the year honors. Players battled valiantly and the low scores throughout the leaderboard are evidence of exceptional play.   Boys 16-18 Division The Boys 

16-18 Division featured some of the most talented golfers in the eastern region. Taking control of the field after the first round and never looking back is your boys 16-18 champion, Benjamin Kruper. Kruper fired a first round score of 3 under 68 to take the lead by 5 strokes, giving himself a nice cushion to rest on. However, he continued to grind on Sunday and posted a second day score of 74, to finish with a two day even par total of 142. It is not hard to see why Kruper came in first with 8 birdies over the two days. Finishing just 5 strokes shy of the champion was Jack Towarnicky, a common name amongst the top of the leaderboard at Hurricane Junior Golf Tour events. Towarnkicky posted a round one score of 73 to put himself in a good position to compete for first in the final grouping of Sunday. While Towarnicky played well Sunday, shooting a 3 over 74, he couldn’t find enough biridies on the course to take claim the top spot. Wrapping up the boys 16-18 division was Alex Kiepert from Ebensburg, PA. Kiepert played consistently both days of the event, shooting back to back 74’s to earn himself a third place trophy. Low scores and high competition was the theme for this division at the Laurel Hill Junior Shootout.   Boys 14-15 Division

The Boys 14-15 Division featured an incredibly talented field of young men, where scores in the low 70s were rampant. In what appeared to be a close battle for the first place trophy, champion Marshall Meisel stole the show and ran away from the competition. Entering Sunday, Meisel had a three-stroke lead over the competition after shooting a first round score of 67, featuring a string of 4 birdies in a row to begin the back side. Facing more difficult conditions Sunday, Meisel did not slow down and posted a second 67 to win his division by 13 strokes. In a battle for second place, George Duangmanee and Michael Brennan finished with a tying two day total of 147 after shooting 70-77 and 71-76, respectively. Duangmanee’s play was highlighted by a first round hole-in-one on the par 3 number 11th, his second hole-in-one of his young career. As the season rolls on, the top leaderboard spot could feature almost any of the names in this weekend’s field.   Boys 11-13 Division  

The Boys 11-13 Division had Kelly Chinn claimed yet another piece of hardware for his already outstanding golf career. With a two day total of 6 under 136, Chinn showed dominance and poise over the competition again this weekend. Perhaps the most admirable part of Chinn on the golf course is not his swing rather his sportsmanship and respect for his fellow players and the game of golf. It is always a pleasure to see this young man compete. Finishing in second place from Fairfax was Josh Duangmanee, with a two-day total of 160 that is highlighted by a first day score of 75. At just 11 years old, Duangmanee has plenty of years ahead of him to improve his already impressive golf game. Rounding out the Boys 11-13 Division was Luke Sheakley from Haymarket, VA. After an up and down Saturday 85, Sheakley settled down come Sunday and posted a second round score of 77 to finish two strokes shy of second place. All three competitors in the boys 11-13 showed promise throughout the weekend and were a pleasure to have on the course.   Boys U10 Division

The Boys U10 Division was a one man show this weekend, starring 9 year old Jeremiah Smith from Bristow, VA. Posting the two best tournament rounds of his life, Smith showed true dedication and competitive spirit this weekend after battling a fever the week leading up to the event. Your boys U10 winner continues to improve on a weekly basis and brings a youthful energy that is appreciated by everyone on the course.             Girls 14-18 Division

The Girl’s 14-18 Division featured seven players, whom are all capable of playing up to championship level. Posting the lowest round of her division of a first round even par 71 was champion Tatum McKelvey from Sewickley, PA. Finding success during the first round, McKelvey faced some difficulties come Sunday but still battled trying conditions to post a second round score of 80 and win her division by 9 strokes. Coming in second place with a first round score of 77 was Elyse Emerzian from Deerfield, IL. Emerzian struggled to find her swing during the first 9 come Sunday, finishing the front side 9 over, but soon settled down to finish the back side just 3 over, which was just enough to claim the second place trophy. The third place trophy winner this weekend Niva Sainju from Burke, VA finished two strokes back of the second place finisher after shooting a first round 82 and improving with a second round 80. Sainju showed signs of being a first place finisher in the future and as the season goes on, her game will only improve.   Girls U13 Division

The Girls U13 division featured two great players this weekend, both very talented and respectful. Finishing with a two-day total of 160 after shooting 83-77 was the champion, Victoria Matthews from Great Falls, VA. Despite more challenging conditions on Sunday, Matthews clearly came into the second day with a better understanding of the course and a positive mind set that helped her post an impressive score of 77 to cap off her tournament. Placing in the second place spot was Delaney Adams of Fairfax, VA. Adams posted consecutive scores of 97 Saturday and Sunday, however her scores seemed much better had it not been for a few challenging holes on both days. These two young ladies were phenomenal competitors and showed great sportsmanship throughout the event.        

Weather March 25th and 26th, 2017

Round 1: Low 55, High 80. Sunny and Cloudy

Round 2: Low 37, High 50. Sunny and Windy with clouds

Tournament Division Yardages

Boys 16-18: 6,500yards

Boys 14-15: 6,500 yards

Boys 11-13: 5,572 yards

Boys U10: 4802 yards

Girls 14-18: 5,572 yards

Girls U13: 5,046 yards