Las Vegas Country Club hosted for the first time our Junior Players Championship on July 23-24, 2019, a major championship on our schedule. We cannot give enough accolades to this amazing golf course, just minutes from the strip. The 16, 17, and 18th holes are not only beautiful, but with the strip as its backdrop, these three finishing holes are as beautiful and difficult as any anywhere in the country. We had two great days of decent weather, the sun stayed behind the clouds and except for a little humidity and rain shower on day two, for a July event, we got really lucky. Congratulations also to Carolann Allen who scored her first ever hole in one on the 7th hole, 125 yards with a 7 iron. Way to go Carolann.
RLJGT alumni, Morgan Cooper, won the boys 15-18 division with a two-day total of 77-70/147. On day two, Morgan put together two solid nines 35-35/70 to pull away from a pretty good tournament field. Noah MacFawn came in second, but had a chance to possibly tie Morgan; however, he played 16-17 three over par to finish four back, 77-74/151. With his second-place finish, Noah leads the Player of the Year race 1,850 points to 2nd place Jackson Parrish 1,831.25. Placing third with rounds of 71-83/154 was Tyler Smerz. We know Smerz is frustrated with himself — an 8 over par 12 on the 2nd hole is the difference between 3rd place and winning the tournament. We are all proud of Tyler for not giving up after the horrible start of his round and hanging in there for 3rd place. Jackson Parrish, currently 2nd place in the point standing, finished fourth with rounds of 74-81/155.
Riley Sawden, Boys 13-14, took advantage of many of the players in his age group skipping this event and finished first. Riley shaved 6 strokes off his round 1 total, and he’ll look to carry that into the next event as he chases a Tour Championship. With Riley’s victory, he moved to second place in the Player of the Year race.
Bradley Bourn, Boys 11-12 had the best 36-hole score of any player in the field with rounds of 75-69/144. Bradley had the low 18-hole score and low total for the entire field! This victory give Bradley the lead in the Player of the Year race with 2,800 points to second place Eli Marshall with 2,000. Second place went to Brendan Barbeau with a 177 total. Eli’s Dad made the comment to me after the first round, “had he know this was such a beautiful course, he would have had Eli play”. They were resting Eli after a busy month of tournaments.
Who will stop Charlie Marshall in the Boys 9-10 division? Marshall is now a perfect 5 for 5 with his victory at the Junior Players Championship. Marshall scored a very impressive 5 over par 77 and leads the Player of the Year race with 3,500 points.
We had a first time winner in the girls 15-18 division with Aliyah Williams winning by just one shot over Hailey Stevenson. Aliyah shot rounds of 80-76/156. Close second was Hailey Stevenson with the best round of all the girls on day two, 82-75/157. Third went to Carloyn Lemon, with two consistent rounds, 80-79/159. Carloyn still has a commanding lead in the points race, but Aliyah was able to cut it in half with her victory at the Junior Players Championship. There are still plenty of events for anyone to contest Carloyn for a Tour Championship, but that could be a tall task with the way Carolyn has improved her game this year.
Girls 13-14 winner with two very consistent rounds was Zoe Parker, 79-78/157. This makes three in a row for Zoe, who leads the Player of the Year race with 2,750 points. Dakota Tallent finished 2nd with rounds of 84-91/175, and third went to hole in one girl, Carolann Allen with a 195 total.
We are all so proud of Rivers Abigail Common (Girls 11-12 division) because she decided to play from the Red Tees instead of her normal Yellow tees since she was the only player in her age group. Playing from 1,000 yards longer, Rivers scored 95-89/184. She said her goal was to break 90, she did that on day two. Way to go Rivers!
Join us on the RecruitLook Junior Golf Tour!
