Riley Conquers NC Junior Boys' Championship

Quinn Riley of Raleigh recorded dominating match play performances to win the 50th NC Junior Boys' title

THOMASVILLE, N.C. (June 30, 2017) -- Match play semifinal and final match results from the 50^th N.C. Junior Boys’ Championship at Colonial Country Club in Thomasville, N.C. on Friday, June 30th (6,809 yards, par 36-35--71, Course Rating 72.3/123).

Related: Championship Website | Match Play Bracket | History | Photos

Overpowering the course and his opponents, 17-year-old Quinn Riley of Raleigh captured the 50th North Carolina Junior Boys' Championship Friday at Colonial Country Club in Thomasville.

Losing in the first round of last year's tournament, Riley entered the event this year with something to prove to himself. After going to the 18th hole in his first round match Wednesday morning. Riley said his goal for the rest of the week was to not play holes 17 or 18 again. He completed that goal Friday, winning in the semifinals 4 & 2, then finishing off the championship in the afternoon on the 15th hole with a 4 & 3 result.

"I started playing smarter around the course, using my length to my advantage," said Riley about the change of his playing strategy as the week progressed. In an impressive display of distance off the tee, Riley's 2-iron often traveled further than the driver of his final opponent, Seve Anfindsen of Apex.

Anfindsen, 18, advanced to the final by virtue of a 19 hole win over Zach Caudill of Wilkesboro. Three down on the tee of the par-4 14th, the 18-year-old Caudill summoned a comeback. He would birdie that hole, then win the long par-3 15th with par. When Anfindsen made a three putt bogey on 18, Caudill's up-and-down par sent the match to extra holes. On the par-4 1st, Caudill's tee shot missed the fairway, making it hard for him to access the flag tucked between two bunkers on the right side of the green. His approach would hit the green and bounce into a bunker. This time, Anfindsen was able to convert a two putt par and punch his ticket into the match play finals. "It was one of the best putts I hit all week," said Anfindsen "When it went in, I screamed 'Come on!' because it was just the emotion that came over me."

Riley, a rising high school senior, was the first player to move onto the finals, beating 14-year-old Narayan Mohan of Charlotte 4 & 2. Already 2 up in the match on the 330-yard par-4 12th, Riley used driver to place his tee shot in a greenside bunker. An up-and-down birdie matched Mohan to maintain the 2 up advantage. On the 232-yard par-3 15th, Riley hit 4-iron to the front of the green. He then rolled in a ludicrous 40-foot putt to go dormie, and won the next hole with par to secure the match.

Anfindsen would get off to a good start in the final match against Riley, winning the first hole when Riley could not get up-and-down to save par. The only other hole Anfindsen would win in the match was No. 9, when Riley pulled his driver out of bounds. Before that, Riley had squared the match on 3, then won holes 6, 7, and 8. Holding a 2 up advantage starting the back nine of Colonial Country Club, Riley did not let up off the pedal. He reached the par-5 10th in two shots for a two putt birdie to claim the hole.

Dormie on the par-3 15th, Riley faced a difficult up-and-down for par. With storm clouds forming overhead, he drained an 18-foot par putt that ultimately won the championship, as Anfindsen then missed a birdie try. "It still hasn't sunk in yet, I'm still hyped about that putt." Riley said in an interview adjacent to the 15th green. "Watching that putt go in really meant a lot, so I gave a nice fist pump." The skies then added to the electric atmosphere, a downpour drenching the crowd as it proceeded to the clubhouse. But Riley did not mind at all that it was raining on his parade.

"This is probably the best I've played in any tournament," Riley said about winning his first CGA title. "It gives me a lot of confidence going forward."

Anfindsen played in his first - and last - N.C. Junior Boys' Championship. He will begin his collegiate golf career in the fall at Southern Wesleyan. Though disappointed, Anfindsen will walk away from Colonial CC with good memories. "It's ultimately been a great week and one I will remember forever."

The Carolinas Golf Association wishes to thank the members and staff of Colonial Country Club for their hospitality and help conducting the 50th North Carolina Junior Boys' Championship. We wish to recognize Head Golf Professional Ben Miller, General Manager David Lehman, and Golf Course Superintendent Addison Scott for their outstanding effort this week.

The championship format is match play with an 18 hole of stroke play qualifier to determine the seeding for match play. The top 64 boys from the stroke play qualifier advance to match play. The 50th North Carolina Junior Boys' champion is invited to represent the CGA in the Virginias-Carolinas Junior Team Matches at Boonesboro Country Club in Lynchburg, VA on August 12-13, 2017.

Entry is open to any male amateur golfer ages 12-18 as of June 30, 2017, who has not started college, is a legal resident of North Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association and has a current USGA Handicap Index® at a CGA member club that does not exceed 18.3. There are no age divisions. Boys compete in one division.

 

50th North Carolina Junior Boys' Championship
Colonial Country Club | Thomasville, N.C.
June 30, 2017

Semifinal

(13) Quinn Riley, Raleigh, N.C.  (2018) def. (32) Narayan Mohan, Charlotte, N.C.  (2021),4 and 2

(55) Seve Anfindsen, Apex, N.C.  (2017) def. (38) Zach Caudill, Wilkesboro, N.C.  (2017),19 holes

Final

(13) Quinn Riley, Raleigh, N.C.  (2018) def. (55) Seve Anfindsen, Apex, N.C.  (2017),4 and 3

       

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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