Friday, July 14, 2017
By Greg Gulas
WARREN
Brookfield’s Justin Atkinson tied Keegan Butler with a 73 on Thursday in the boys 17U division of the final Greatest Golfer junior qualifier at the Trumbull Country Club.
Atkinson, who carded a 35-38, qualified for tournament’s championship round for the fourth time. He is anxious to walk-off with top honors.
“It’s a great feeling, but I’m still looking for that first win so the goal is to play my best next weekend,” said Atkinson, a sophomore at Brookfield High School this fall. “The course was a little wet, but played nice and was in excellent condition.
“I chipped well today and when I didn’t chip like I should have, my putter saved me.”
In the girls 17U bracket, Boardman’s Britney Jonda carded a 78 to win. Since she had already qualified for the final, runner-up Jenna Jacobson of Poland qualified with her 83.
In 14U boys action, Kaiden Sykes won for the second straight week as his 35 topped all boys in the division. As a result, McDonald’s Michael Porter qualified by finishing runner-up with a 39.
The 14U golfers played just nine holes.
In girls 14U, Jayne Bernard won with a 42. Following her were Leah Benson (45) and McKenzie Gustas (48). All already had qualified.
Butler (36-37), who qualified by winning at Mill Creek on June 28, used the event to maintain his momentum while concentrating on his putting.
“I’ve been working extra hard on my putting as I have a new putter and have been working on my straight back, straight through motion,” Butler said. “I love to come out and play in these tournaments and absolutely enjoy this course.
“I’ll just keep working on alignment and tempo because that’s what works under pressure.”
Jonda (38-40), who qualified at Pine Lakes on May 20, has played in five of the six qualifying events and is hoping to carry the momentum that she has built into the championship round.
“I am ready, but still need to work on my short game and the small things in my swing,” she said. “My drives were good today, I hit the fairways and with my short game was able to get up and down to save par.”
Jacobson, a junior on the Poland High School golf team, qualified for her fourth Greatest Golfer championship. She has done so twice in 14U play and now for a second time in the 17U division.
“I have played in five of this year’s six qualifying events and it’s exciting to qualify for the championship,” Jacobson said. “My drives were straight and on the fairways, but it was my putting that saved me.
“I’ll practice my short game and chipping this week in order to get ready.”
Sykes’ victory was his second in a row, having won last week at Salem Hills.
“My driving was alright and I putted well, but stuck all of my irons on the green,” Sykes said. “There wasn’t much roll so you had to hit the ball farther.”
Porter, who finished runner-up to McDonald‘s Caleb Domitrovich in a one-hole playoff at Mill Creek, had an excellent day with his putter.
“All nine holes were two-putts and that was big,” Porter said. “I chipped well and hit a lot of fairways.”
“It’s great to see this many kids who love to golf and compete,” said Michael Shulas, Trumbull’s head golf professional. “Around here, if you aren’t in high school golf, tournaments like the Greatest Golfer afford players an opportunity to compete and be exposed to other players from the area.
“The Mahoning Valley is a great area for junior golf.”
Opening round of the 17U championship takes place July 21 at Squaw Creek (2 p.m.) with the finals scheduled for July 22 (12:30 p.m.) at Avalon Lakes.
The 14U championship takes place July 22 (12:30 p.m.) at Avalon Lakes.