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Michael Sanders Wins 68th Carolinas Jr Boys'

Michael Sanders of Davidson, NC posted a final round 67 to win by three strokes

CONCORD, N.C. (July 27, 2017) -- Final results of the Carolinas Golf Association's 68th Carolinas Junior Boys' Championship at Cabarrus Country Club in Concord, N.C. on Thursday, July 27th (6984 yards, par 36-36--72).

Related: Championship Web Site | History | Scoring | Photos |

Michael Sanders of Davidson, N.C. followed back-to-back 70s with an impressive five-under 67 in Thursday's final round to win the 68th Carolinas Junior Boys' Championship by three strokes at Cabarrus Country Club.

Facing a one-shot deficit to start Thursday's final round against 36-hole leaders Fulton Smith of Pinehurst, N.C. and Abhay Gupta of Concord, N.C., Sanders watched the13-year-old Gupta drain a 60-foot birdie putt on the first hole. "I knew it would be important for me to birdie the first," Sanders, 17, recalled. "Especially after watching Gupta make his." Sanders rolled in his 15-foot birdie, drawing even with Smith and staying within one of Gupta.

A poor tee shot on the par-3 7th hole led to Sanders first bogey. Instead of falling apart, he kick-started a four-hole stretch of five-under-par golf. "I definitely think that hole motivated me," said the rising senior at the Cannon School. "I wasn't going to let that bogey on No. 7 take me back."

Sanders, who has committed to play collegiately at Louisiana State University, piped his tee shot on the 513-yard par-5 8th well down the fairway. With just an 8-iron left into the green, Sanders two putted for birdie. Using a putter he added to his bag for the first time this week, he converted birdies on the par-4 9th and 10th holes. "It's not coming out of the bag for awhile," Sanders said with a smile. On the par-5 11th, Sanders drilled a 6-iron to 20 feet and sank the eagle putt to reach 10-under-par.

At that point, Sanders was two shots clear of the field, with defending champion Jacob Bridgeman of Inman, S.C. becoming his closest competition. Bridgeman had entered the final round T7, but found his swing Thursday at Cabarrus. "I honed it in off the tee, unlike my first two days," said Bridgeman, who has committed to play at Clemson University next fall. "Then I made some putts."

Bridgeman's round was also buoyed by a mid-round barrage. Like Sanders, he also birdied Nos. 8 and 9, then added another on No. 11. An 8-iron to 15 feet on the 161-yard 12th and chip-in from behind the green on the par-3 15th added two more birdies to his scorecard. However, a bogey on 16 and Bridgeman's only bad drive of the day on 18, derailed his chances for a closing birdie to add pressure to Sanders playing two groups behind.  

"It's all I could ask for today. It would have been a stretch for me to get to 9-under," said Bridgeman, whose final round 68 was enough to finish alone in second at six-under 210. "I'm happy for Michael."

Despite bogeys on 15 and 17, Sanders played the 613-yard par-5 18th with a two shot lead. He laid back to 125 yards to have a full wedge shot on his approach into the green. When his 15-foot birdie fell into the hole, Sanders used one word to describe his feelings, "Relief." Later, he added, "That putt was going five or six feet past the cup if it didn't fall in. The fact that it caught the lip and went in was really nice."

Finishing 54 holes at nine-under-par claimed a three-stroke victory for Sanders, first CGA title. "I have played well in other events," Sanders said, who won his second straight NCISAA 3A state individual championship in May. "To finally win a CGA championship feels great."

Smith, 2017 N.C. Junior Boys' champion Quinn Riley of Raleigh, and 2015 N.C. Junior Boys' champ Jack Massei of Cary tied for third place at five-under 211.

The Carolinas Junior Boys' championship format is 54-holes of stroke play. Entry is open to any male amateur golfer who has not reached his 19th birthday by July 27, 2017, who has not started college, is a legal resident of North Carolina or South Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) and has a current USGA handicap index® at a CGA member club that does not exceed 18.4.

The Carolinas Golf Association wishes to thank the members and staff of Cabarrus Country Club for their hospitality. We would especially like to thank General Manager Brad Bourret, Head Golf Professional Ken Guilford, and Course Superintendent Tim Davis for their extra effort in helping to conduct the championship. 
 

68th Carolinas Junior Boys' Championship
Cabarrus Country Club | Concord, NC

Final Results

Rank Player (Graduation Year), City, State   Score
1  Michael Sanders (2018) Davidson, NC    70-70-67--207
2  Jacob Bridgeman (2018) Inman, SC    69-73-68--210
T3  Fulton Smith (2019) Pinehurst, NC    70-69-72--211
   Quinn Riley (2018) Raleigh, NC    70-72-69--211
   Jack Massei (2018) Cary, NC    69-71-71--211
T6  Stephen Carroll (2017) Concord, NC    66-74-72--212
   Peter Fountain (2020) Raleigh, NC    69-73-70--212
   Zane Sullivan (2019) Charlotte, NC    73-68-71--212
   Garrett Cooper (2019) Cowpens, SC    70-72-70--212
10  Brady Hinkle (2018) Lancaster, SC    68-74-71--213
T11  Zack Gordon (2018) Gaffney, SC    71-75-69--215
   Jackson Van Paris (2021) Pinehurst, NC    71-73-71--215
   Nicholas Mayfield (2019) Rock Hill, SC    70-73-72--215
T14  Michael Baker (2017) Concord, NC    69-75-72--216
   Abhay Gupta (2022) Concord , NC    68-71-77--216
   Pierce Robinson (2019) Kings Mountain, NC    74-68-74--216
   Lansdon Robbins (2018) Davidson, NC    75-68-73--216
   Ben Woodruff (2018) Huntersville, NC    69-77-70--216
   Walker Jones (2018) Sumter, SC    72-71-73--216
T20  Chris Kim (2019) Cary, NC    69-76-72--217
   Quinton Metz (2019) Wilkesboro, NC    73-71-73--217
   Charlie Tate (2018) Greensboro, NC    75-72-70--217
   Holden Grigg (2019) Myrtle Beach, SC    72-74-71--217
   Jacob Rutter (2017) Winston-Salem, NC    70-75-72--217
   Attie Giles (2018) Pinehurst, NC    67-78-72--217
26  Michael Coe (2017) Morrisville, NC    73-72-73--218
T27  Michael Childress (2018) Salisbury, NC    71-77-71--219
   Chandler Metz (2017) Wilkesboro, NC    72-70-77--219
   Carson Ownbey (2018) Candler, NC    77-69-73--219
   Ike Joy (2021) Denver, NC    74-71-74--219
T31  William Crook (2018) Sherrills Ford, NC    73-70-77--220
   Narayan Mohan (2021) Charlotte, NC    72-75-73--220
   Daniel Azallion (2019) Hilton Head, SC    75-74-71--220
   Ethan Hall (2019) Morehead City, NC    69-73-78--220
   Grant Sellers (2018) McBee, SC    73-75-72--220
T36  Jacob Lowe (2017) Angier, NC    71-73-77--221
   Graham Chase (2019) Charlotte, NC    71-74-76--221
   Noah Connor (2019) Reidsville, NC    70-79-72--221
T39  Tim Bunten (2017) Concord, NC    70-77-75--222
   Chad Carter (2018) Aiken, SC    75-72-75--222
   Seth Taylor (2019) Gaffney, SC    72-73-77--222
   Alex Goff (2018) Kings Mountain, NC    71-74-77--222
   Drew Hackett (2019) Charlotte, NC    70-74-78--222
   Bronson Myers (2018) Columbia, SC    76-73-73--222
T45  Mason Elmore (2017) Charlotte, NC    70-75-78--223
   Nathan Norfleet (2018) Chapel Hill, NC    73-73-77--223
   Spencer Oxendine (2019) Fayetteville, NC    73-72-78--223
   Ian Faulconer (2019) Simpsonville, SC    71-76-76--223
T49  Tyler Gray (2018) Lugoff, SC    76-75-73--224
   Andrew Wilmoth (2018) Raleigh, NC    73-71-80--224
   Austin Bonfiglio (2017) Holly Springs, NC    77-74-73--224
   Zach Caudill (2017) Wilkesboro, NC    75-73-76--224
   Chandler Perry (2018) Clinton, NC    74-75-75--224
   Garrett Clark (2020) Burlington, NC    72-76-76--224
T55  Brady Hooks (2019) Clayton, NC    70-77-78--225
   Patten Williams (2017) Davidson, NC    74-74-77--225
   Will Hawley (2019) Raleigh, NC    74-73-78--225
   Tyler Dechellis (2021) Clayton, NC    75-75-75--225
T59  Connor Moore (2018) Bluffton, SC    71-78-77--226
   Christian Bailey (2017) Matthews, NC    76-73-77--226
   Michael Blair (2020) Kernersville, NC    76-74-76--226
   Thomas Eubanks (2019) Charlotte , NC     69-79-78--226
   Drayton Stewart (2019) Charleston, SC    71-80-75--226
   Thomas Hollingsworth III (2019) Spartanburg, SC  77-73-76--226
T65  Will Sleeper (2018) Charlotte, NC    75-73-79--227
   Riley Smith (2019) Concord, NC    78-73-76--227
   Rafe Reynolds (2020) Greenville, SC    75-74-78--227
T68  Kenan Poole II (2019) Raleigh, NC    76-75-78--229
   Gene Zeigler (2021) Florence, SC    71-78-80--229
T70  Zach Roberts (2020) Holly Springs, NC    76-75-79--230
   Colin Browning (2020) Charlotte, NC    76-75-79--230
72  Cody Transou (2018) Gaffney, SC    76-74-81--231
T73  Avery Papalia (2017) Kernersville, NC    76-73-84--233
   Trey Pope (2018) Clinton, NC    75-75-83--233
75  Austin Scott (2021) Charleston, SC    73-78-83--234
76  Nicholas Holanek (2017) Cary, NC    75-75-85--235
Failed to Qualify for Final Round
T77  Alex Scott (2017) Raleigh, NC    77-75--152
   Landon Barnes (2020) Pilot Mountain, NC    77-75--152
   Addison Manring (2017) Stoneville, NC    77-75--152
   Matthew Fary (2018) Thomasville, NC    77-75--152
   Justin Poole (2017) Wendell, NC    77-75--152
   Micah Westermeyer (2017) Chapin, SC    74-78--152
T83  Austin Duncan (2017) Bessemer City, NC    75-78--153
   Kaison King (2017) Elon, NC    77-76--153
   Dalton Mauldin (2017) Sanford, NC    75-78--153
   Joey Pritchard (2020) Whispering Pines, NC    74-79--153
   Jack Brea (2017) Charlotte, NC    80-73--153
   Levi Moody (2018) Greenville, SC    74-79--153
   Andrew Graham (2021) Asheville, NC    75-78--153
   Onterio Jones (2018) Simpsonville, SC    76-77--153
   Benjamin Loudermilk (2018) Anderson, SC    80-73--153
T92  Jack Towarnicky (2019) New Bern, NC    81-73--154
   Clark Kistler (2017) Charlotte, NC    80-74--154
   Daniel Adkins II (2021) Holly Springs, NC    77-77--154
   Jack Phenecie (2018) Davidson, NC    78-76--154
   Keegan Vaugh (2020) Myrtle Beach , SC    77-77--154
   Alec Vardas (2018) Lexington, SC    80-74--154
T98  Tanner Bibey (2017) Walnut Cove, NC    75-80--155
   Parker Lewis (2018) Spartanburg, SC    77-78--155
   Manning Sloop (2020) Rock Hill, SC    77-78--155
   Braxton Tracy (2018) Huntersville, NC    77-78--155
   Davis Gilmore (2018) Winston Salem, NC    78-77--155
T103  Carter Cheek (2018) Cary, NC    75-81--156
   Carson Castelli (2018) Greensboro, NC    79-77--156
   Seve Anfindsen (2017) Apex, NC    81-75--156
   Karsten Shields (2020) Monroe, NC    77-79--156
   Johnny Velasquez (2020) Mt. Pleasant, SC    79-77--156
   Hinson Perry (2020) Rock Hill, SC    81-75--156
T109  Grant Smith (2019) Charlotte, NC    80-77--157
   Tyler Partee (2021) Thomasville , NC    79-78--157
   Parker Chavis (2017) China Grove, NC    80-77--157
   Kellen Graham (2018) Asheville , NC    80-77--157
   Jared Clontz (2019) Nebo, NC    80-77--157
   Addison Beam (2019) Cherryville, NC    78-79--157
T115  Drew Weary (2018) Bluffton, SC    78-80--158
   Connor Jones (2018) Raleigh, NC    77-81--158
   Connor Fahey (2018) Greenville, SC    79-79--158
T118  Josh Lendach (2021) Raleigh, NC    82-77--159
   Justin Kristof (2018) Morrisville, NC    80-79--159
   Payne Thrift (2020) Charlotte, NC    76-83--159
   Kevin Burris (2018) Conway, SC    81-78--159
122  Christian Jarrell (2020) Davidson, NC    77-83--160
T123  Will Tamplin (2017) Asheville, NC    82-79--161
   Justin Guilford (2019) Huntersville, NC    79-82--161
   Payne Gettys (2020) Rock Hill, SC    81-80--161
T126  Minor Hinson (2021) Charlotte, NC    79-83--162
   Colin Trahan (2019) North Augusta, SC    80-82--162
   William Brooks (2019) Woodruff, SC    84-78--162
129  Mitchell Tanis (2020) Pineville, NC    85-78--163
T130  Brandon Einstein (2018) Clemmons, NC    79-85--164
   Alex Rubino (2019) Charlotte, NC    85-79--164
   Colin Wholey (2018) Charlotte, NC    84-80--164
   Wilhelm Elliott (2019) Columbia, SC    81-83--164
   Dillon Hite (2019) Lexington, SC    80-84--164
   Garrett Dawson (2019) Wilkesboro, NC    83-81--164
T136  Andrew Johnson (2018) Millers Creek, NC    79-86--165
   Collin Adams (2020) Charlotte, NC    81-84--165
138  Gus Lascola (2018) Durham, NC    85-82--167
T139  Rence O'Connor (2020) Columbia, SC    84-87--171
   Zander Briggs (2020) Simpsonville, SC    83-88--171
141  Zain Tucker (2018) Salisbury, NC    88-85--173
142  Jackson Neal (2019) Concord, NC    89-85--174

 

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.

The CGA annually conducts 48 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 150 One-Day (net and gross) events as well as qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed nearly $2,000,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.    

For more information about the CGA, visit our website.

 

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