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Cioffi defeats Murphy on an extra hole to win Pine Lakes Golf Club qualifier
GGOV Juniors at Pine Lakes
Gallery
Jonda takes crown in girls 17-U; Cioffi, Murphy got to extra hole in boys division
By Greg Gulas
HUBBARD
Brandon Cioffi defeated Andrew Murphy in a one-hole playoff to claim top honors in the boys 17-U division while Britney Jonda posted a three-stroke victory over Jenna Jacobson in girls 17-U action during Saturday’s Greatest Golfer of the Valley junior qualifier at Pine Lakes Golf Club.
Jacob Sylak shot a 93 to become the boys’ 14-U qualifier, outdistancing Nathan Cene by a stroke for the top spot.
Photo Gallery: GGOV Juniors at Pine Lakes
There are six junior qualifying events with the next one set for June 15 at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.
Cioffi (42-35), who hails from Hickory and Murphy (37-30), a soon-to-be junior at Ursuline High School, each shot 77 to force the playoff.
Cioffi needed only one hole to claim victory, which was decided when he went par and Murphy had to settle for a bogey.
“This is my first Greatest Golfer event so to win and qualify is really something,” said Cioffi, who is a junior in school. “I felt like I played well and was most comfortable today off the tee. I had to settle for a nine on the seventh hole and was five over on both the hole and the round. It was an exciting day.”
Murphy was playing in his second straight Greatest event, but hadn’t played a full round in over a month.
“I had a nice front nine, but struggled at the start of the back. The last three holes really helped me find my way back,” Murphy said. “Even though I hadn’t played a full 18 holes in about a month, I have been on the range. My putting was actually pretty good today. In fact, it was probably the best that I had putted all year.”
Justin Atkinson of Brookfield and Keegan Butler of Cardinal Mooney tied for third place with 78s. Howland’s Joey Vitali and John Popa of South Range, a two-time Inter-Tri County League medalist, each shot 81 to finish tied for fifth place.
“I felt like I had a nice round, but felt as though I could have struck the ball better,” Atkinson said.
It was Butler’s third Greatest event.
“I was 1-under through the first seven holes but had a rough go after that,” Butler said. “I felt like I could played better today.”
Luke Nord will be a freshman at Poland High School in the fall. He improved 20 strokes from last week’s initial qualifying event at Avalon Golf and Country Club’s Squaw Creek Course.
“The goal today was to improve from last week and I was able to accomplish that,” Nord said. “My ball striking was better and overall, felt as though I hit the ball better this week. I would still like to improve my putting.”
Jonda shot an 83, Jacobson an 86 while Erika Hoover’s 87 rounded out the top three in the girls 17-U division.
“I played pretty good on the front nine and shot a 39,” Jonda said. “I did struggle on the back nine, however.”