Hurricane Takes on Bubba’s Home Track
On Thursday, February 11, the HJGT traveled to Pace, Fla., to host the Pensacola Junior Classic at Stonebrook Golf Club (former home track of Bubba Watson). The players could not have asked for a much better weekend as far as weather goes. Minus a chilly start to both mornings, the players were welcomed with beautiful and sunny Florida skies. Winners in each age division were awarded exemptions into the 2016 Mid Season Invitational at Chateau Elan on June 11-13, 2016. Pin High, a great sponsor of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, made an appearance at this weekend’s event. They offered our champions in each division their choice of a free Pin High polo. With a field of 32 players, Hurricane would like to thank Stonebrook Golf Club and all of their staff for allowing us to host what turned out to be an awesome event.
Boys 16-18 Division
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B.J. Morrison[/caption] On Saturday in our boys 16-18 division, Cameron Bonner and Michael Holtz each tallied two birdies in the opening round to tie for the lead at six-over-par 78. Staying right on their heels were B.J. Morrison, Cameron Little, and Owen Workman, who all remained in the hunt at 83. This made for a tight battle that continued to round two. Holtz started out strong with a birdie on hole two, with Little right behind him with two birdies on both four and six. However, with mostly pars and a birdie to end the front nine, Morrison edged ahead of little by one stroke at the turn. Morrison, a Dothan, Ala., native managed to hold on to his lead finishing at even par on the back nine, leaving him at two-over-par 74 for the day and 157 for the weekend. With a complete second day turnaround, Morrison improved his score from day one by nine strokes. Finishing in a close second, only five strokes behind Morrison, was Holtz at 162. Rounding out the top three with an impressive five birdies on the weekend was Little at 164.
Boys 14-15 Division
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Colby Goodwin[/caption] Bubba’s course proved to be no real match for Colby Goodwin or Bryson Bianco in round one, with only a two-stroke difference separating Bianco from Goodwin. Goodwin started strong on the back nine with a birdie on No. 10, and eventually maintained a two-stroke lead heading to round two. In round two, the competition remained tight between the two. Bianco posted an 83 to edge Goodwin by one in round two and keep things close. However, it would not be enough to take home the win as Goodwin, a Pensacola, Fla., native won with a two-day total of 162. Chase O’Connor rounded out the top three with a 177.
Girls 14-18 Division
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Hannah Levi[/caption]
What an eventful second day for our girls 14-18 division. After improving her score by five strokes from day one, Caroline Waldrop, made an impressive comeback. Waldrop caught round-one leader Hannah Levi, who posted scores of 79 and 80 compared to Waldrop’s 82 and 77. A sudden death playoff was held, which saw Levi fend off a hard-charging Waldrop by sinking a bogey putt for the win. Levi, of D’Iberville, Miss., found the winner’s circle after taking second at the HJGT New Orleans Junior Open on Jan. 31. Taking third place was the HJGT’s power hitter off the tee, Keagan Dunn, who came in in closely behind with a total of two birdies for the weekend and a score of 164.
Girls 13U Division
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Alia Scotka[/caption]
All three of our girls in the girls 13U division gave it their best shot and played their best on a very tough course for this weekend’s tournament. They all finished strong and took the challenge of playing Bubba Watson’s former stomping grounds head on. Alia Scotka of Crestview, Fla., capped off her second round with three birdies to finish at four-over-par 76 for round two, leaving her with the low round for the weekend of all age divisions. She went on to win her division with a 159. Both Hannah Grace Nall and Brooke Gober posted a 94 in round two. Nall took second with a 186 and Gober came in close behind at 191.
Weather for February 13-14
Round 1: Low 45, High 61. Chilly Morning, Sunny Skies, Wind 7-15 MPH
Round 2: Low 39, High 57. Chilly Morning, Sunny Skies, Wind 7-15 MPH
Tournament Division Yardages
Boys 16-18: 6,625 Yards
Boys 14-15: 6,625 Yards
Girls 14-18: 5,637 Yards
Girls U13: 5,637 Yards