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Junior golfers struggle in Day 1 of AJGA tournament
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Junior golfers struggle in Day 1 of tournament
BOARDMAN
Junior golfers took their swings at Mill Creek’s south course for day one of the American Junior Golf Association’s Junior All-Star event.
And the course took some swings back at many of the 96 participants from ages 12-15.
Just six competitors sit under par after the first of three days.
Photo Gallery: AJGA Golf Round 1
Brookfield’s Conner Stevens is tied for 56 out of 70 boys who participated in the first round, shooting nine-over 79. Cameron Piedra of Coral Gables, Fla. is first after shooting a two-under 68.
On the girl’s side, Youngs-town’s Jayne Bernard had a difficult round, shooting a round of 101. Taylor Kehoe of Strathroy, Ontario leads with a round of two-under as well.
“It was rougher than I thought it was going to be,” Stevens said. “I left a lot of shots out there that I probably shouldn’t have. But I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow.”
Course conditions were a big factor in the first round. The course, baked by sunlight and a lack of moisture, meant golfers were having to adapt on the fly regrading club selection.
“The course is a lot drier and shorter today,” Stevens said. “Some holes I’d hit my driver and it would be too much. The practice round was a lot different.”
With no rain forecasted for Tuesday night, Stevens was betting the course will play even shorter today after his initial round.
“I don’t think it’s going to rain so it’s going to get even harder,” Stevens said. “So tomorrow will be even less club than I did today.”
With the dry effects and mental gymnastics of second-guessing typical club selection each shot, Stevens plans on a more conservative approach to today’s second round.
“I’m kind of used to it because a lot of the courses we play are like this and I’ll have to lay up on a lot of holes,” Stevens said.
While most participants were grouped into threes, one of Stevens’ playing partners, William Sun, a Canadian citizen from Beijing, China, did not participate. That meant a quicker pace of play for Stevens’ twosome, and plenty of downtime playing behind larger groups.
“It was really slow,” Stevens said. “Waiting for a minute or two minutes every shot kind of gets annoying. It’s hard to focus on each shot when you’re doing that.”
While Stevens is from the area, Mill Creek is not his hometown course, so with the conditions compounding things, there was no homefield advantage in round one.
“Today there wasn’t [an advantage],” Stevens said. “A lot of these kids played two or three practice rounds so they’ve seen it as many times as I have. It is a lot more comfortable sleeping in your own bed and showering in your own shower though. It’s great.”
Today’s second round begins with the girls teeing off at 7 a.m. and the boys at 8:20 a.m. Stevens is in that 8:20 group while Bernard will tee off at 7:30 a.m.