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JFK’s Graham looks to qualify for championship round
Trumbull Country CC to host final qualifier Thursday
By STEVE WILAJ
WARREN
No doubt, Jimmy Graham is going to feel at-home come Thursday.
See, the final qualifying round of the Flynn Automotive Group Juniors Greatest Golfer of the Valley is being played at Trumbull Country Club. And not only is it the Warren JFK High sophomore’s home course, but even more, he lives right near hole No. 14.
“It’s a par 3. Every night I go out in the back and chip and putt,” Graham said. “I’m always out there playing.
“I’m happy that the last tournament’s at my home course and I’ve been playing pretty well. So it’s perfect timing and I’m just hoping to shoot a low number there.”
Through five rounds, Graham is yet to qualify for the championship round slated for July 22-23. He leads the boys 17-U division with 16 points, tied with Bobby Jonda (the top six point-totals advance to the finals).
He’s coming off his lowest round of the season after shooting a 76 at Salem Hills on Thursday, while he also took a 78 at Mill Creek on June 29 and finished second in the opening week at Squaw Creek when he lost to Brian Terlesky in a playoff-hole.
“The beginning of the year I was a little shaky, but lately I’ve been playing pretty well,” Graham said. “I’d definitely like to get a win at Trumbull since it’s my home course. If not, I want to keep the first in points, but a win is my top priority.”
“I’ve been putting really well. I’ve had some problems with the driver — I’ve had a lot of lessons with my coach to try to figure it out. But my short game and my putting have really helped me shoot low.”
Erika Hoover is in the same situation as Graham.
She leads the girls 17-U division with 22 points, but is looking for a strong finish heading into championship-play.
“I hope to shoot very, very well” Hoover said. “I want to be at least low-80s or in the 70s.”
Hoover took an 85 at Salem Hills and an 83 at Mill Creek, while her lowest round was an 81 at Pine Lakes on May 22.
“I’m getting better with my short-game,” she said. “My long-irons have been good, but really my putting has helped me a lot.”
Britney Jonda is next behind Hoover with 15 points and Jenna Jacobson is in third with 12 points.
Mike Shulas, Trumbull Country Club’s golf pro, is excited for the final round, which begins at 1 p.m.
“It’s always great to host the event for the kids,” he said. “It’s a very historical course — 101 years old — so showing it off is always a good thing. It’s not an easy track by any stretch for these kids, so it’s cool.
“We were playing firm and fast and then on Thursday we got an inch of rain in 20 minutes and it softened up a little bit. But condition-wise, we’re in really good shape.”
This is the seventh season for Greatest Golfer, and it has grown from an event serving 90 golfers to now impacting 3,000 golfers, 12 golf courses and 24 charities.