McNellis & Vaughan Win Esposito Lucas McNellis of Charleston and Ansley Vaughan of Mt. Pleasant were the overall champions of the 58th Annual Junior Al Esposito Tournament held July 17-18 at the Charleston Municipal Golf Course. McNellis shot rounds of 72-74 for a total of 146 (+2) to lead the boys’ field by two shots. Vaughan shot rounds of 83-72 for a total of 155 (+11) to lead the girls’ field by two shots. Overall results are gathered from all players playing from the championship tees (13-14 and 15-17 divisions). Mcnellis was, followed by Christian Woods at 148 (+4) in second place, Todd Fanning and Kyle Spencer both at 151 (+7) tying for third, and Ben Crimminger and Sam Myers tying for fifth with a score of152 (+8). The top finishers in the Girls Overall Division were Vaughan, followed by Kathleen Sumner at 157 (+13); Clara Park at 186 (+42) in third place, Annette Paxton at 189 (+45) in fourth place and Savannah Hallman at 190 (+46) in fifth place. In the Boys 15-17 Division McNellis was first, followed by Woods, Fanning, Crimminger and Myers. In the Boys 13-14 Division Spencer took first, followed by Jamie Wilson at 153 (+9), Barron Knight at 156 (+12), Ben Burton at 161 (+17) and Ben Quinque at 170 (+26). In the Boys 10-12 Division Grainger Howie took first place at 70 (-2), followed by Spencer Warner at 75 (+3), Jack Robinson at 76 (+4), Drayton Stewart at 82 (+10); and Davis Yearout at 83 (+11). In the Boys 9 & Under Division Luis Thompson took first place at 67 (-5), followed by Ethan Warner at 86 (+14), Andrew Propes at 92 (+20); and John Bagwell at 94 (+22). In the Girls 15-17 Division Vaughan was first, followed by Hallman and Robison. In the Girls 13-14 Division Sumner was first, followed by Park and Paxton. In the Girls 10-12 Division Delanie Mortier took 1st at 79 (+7), followed by Telie McCoy at 82 (+10); and Olivia Erwin at 100 (+28).
Dambaugh Sets Tournament Record at Jr. Azalea Katelyn Dambaugh of Goose Creek set a tournament record on her way to a runner-up finish at the 2012 Beth Daniel Junior Azalea, held August 7-8 at the Country Club of Charleston. Dambaugh shot a final round 64 which included seven birdies and no bogies.  Dambaugh played her way into a tie for first with a 73-64 for a total of 137 (-5). Eunice Yi of Evans, Ga. claimed the Girls 13-18 Division tournament title after a one-hole playoff with Dambaugh. Evans and Dambaugh finished the tournament a full two shots in front of the rest of the field. Rounding out the top five finishers were Lauren Stephenson of Lexington and Marcella Pranovia of Santa Ana, tying for third place at 139 (+3) and Louise Oxner of Greenville and Talbert McKenzie of North Augusta tying for fifth at 144 (+2). Reona Hirai of Summerville tied for 10th with a score of 76-74 for a total of 150 (+8). In the Boys Division 13-18 Division Bryce Howell of Blythewood took home the tournament title with rounds of 68-69 for a total of 137 (-5), just one shot in front of the field. There was a four-way tie for second that included Nicklaus Kennedy of London, ONT, Carson Young of Pendleton, James Clark of Columbus and Johnson Holiday of Aynor, all finishing at 138 (-4). Local golfers finishing the tournament strong were Richard Hubbard of Daniel Island at 143 (+1) tying for 12th place; Austin Zoller of North Charleston and Jeremy Grab of Daniel Island both at 144 (+2) tying for 14th place; and Andrew Novak of Mt. Pleasant and RJ Keur of North Charleston both at 145 (+3) tying for 17th place. The Beth Daniel Junior Azalea Tournament, sponsored by the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, is an invitational tournament open to junior golfers 13-18 still enrolled in high school. A local qualifier is held to fill any remaining spots in the field. Beth Daniel has been a long time friend of the SCJGA and junior golf.
Local Juniors Enjoy Success at HJGT Events The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour played host to several events around the southeast this summer, which was a showcase for our local junior golf talent. The Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Junior Shootout was held June 23-24 at the Resort Course at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach. Kathleen Sumner of Charleston won the Girls 11-14 Division with rounds of 88-85 for a total of 173 (+29), a full six shots in front of the field. Norton McKay of Charleston placed third with a 189 (+45). In the Boys 15-18 Division Robert Ferira of Charleston took second place after a playoff with Anthony Gardner of Myrtle Beach. Ferira shot rounds of 75-75 for a total of 150 (+6). In the Boys 11-14 Division Wil Sheppard of Mt. Pleasant finished third with a 146 (+2) and Zak Butt of Summerville finished sixth with a 152 (+8). Next up the HJGT hosted the Forest Hills Junior Open, held August 4-5 at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Zak Butt finished second in the 11-14 Boys Division with rounds of 72-76 for a total of 148 (+4), just two shots shy of first place finisher Fort States of Evans, Ga. at 146 (+2). Next up for the HJGT is on Hilton Head Island for the Kikkor Golf Series at the Golden Bear Golf Course, Indigo Run September 8-9 and the Myrtle Beach Junior Challenge at Myrtle Beach National West Course September 22-23, 2012. For more information on these tournaments visit www.hjgt.org.
