Davis Sayman Breaks Through at N.C. Junior Boys'

 

 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (June 24, 2022) --  Semifinal and Championship Match results of the 55th North Carolina Junior Boys’ Championship in Fayetteville, N.C. from June 21 - 24, 2022. The field competed at 6,656 yards.

Related: Championship Web Site | Full Field | Starting Times | History | Results | Photos

Davis Sayman of Charlotte, N.C. took home the 55th North Carolina Junior Boys’ Championship at Highland Country Club after a long week of head-to-head competition. Sayman, after one round of stroke play qualifying, was the No. 36 seed. Undeterred he went on to win six straight matches in bracket play, he will now have his name etched on the Henry Lee Welch North Carolina Junior Boys’ Championship trophy.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, it's unreal,” Sayman said. “I came into this week thinking I could make a run at it, but I didn't think I could win. This is remarkable.”

Sayman’s Championship Match opponent Nick Norman of Gastonia, N.C. who earned runner-up, jumped out to an early two up lead after three holes, but this did not deter Sayman from keeping his mindset positive in the moment.

He birdied No. 4, a 541-yard par-5 to immediately bounce back. Sayman and Norman went head-to-head tying each of the next four holes. A par on hole No. 9 for Sayman and a bogey for Norman tied the match at the turn for the first time since the opening hole.

Nos. 11 through 13 were momentous for Sayman. With the match tied, the senior at Charlotte Latin High School won three consecutive holes, giving himself a lead he would not give back.

“I thought I started the round sloppy, making a bogey on the first hole,” Sayman said. “Then that birdie on 12 was huge because it gave me momentum that I kept going with.”

On the 16th hole, Sayman hit his best approach shot of the tournament when it mattered most. With 163 yards in, Sayman hit an 8-iron just inches from the hole. His birdie was conceded, giving him a 3 & 2 win.

“I wanted to play the shot aggressively and I just hit a good one at the right time,” Sayman said.

In his Semifinal matchup, the morning prior to the Championship Match, Sayman went to a playoff against Ryan Jahr of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. and was one down heading into the 18th hole. Back-to-back pars for Sayman earned him a win in 19 holes and his seat in the Championship Match.

Going back to Tuesday, there were 152 juniors trying to qualify for the 64 spots in bracket play. The cut line ended up being 2-over-par and as a result a 13-for-7 playoff ensued to decide the final spots in bracket play.

Logan Atkins of Dunn, N.C. and Davis Wotnosky of Wake Forest, N.C. were named co-medalist, each shooting 6-under-par, 66. Atkins was upset in the first round of match play by No. 64 seed Alan Van Asch of Raleigh, N.C. 3 & 2 by Alan Van Asch. Wotnosky, a 13-year-old, on the other hand advanced to the semifinals before being ousted by Norman 1 up.

The Carolinas Golf Association would like to extend our appreciation to the members and staff at Highland Country Club, especially Head Golf Professional Micah Veugrinec and Golf Course Superintendent Chris Hobbs.

 

Championship Match Results 

Davis Sayman of Charlotte, N.C. def. Nick Norman of Gastonia, N.C. 3 & 2

 

Semifinal Results 

Davis Sayman of Charlotte, N.C. def. Ryan Jahr of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. 19 holes

Nick Norman of Gastonia, N.C. def. Davis Wotnosky of Wake Forest, N.C. 1 up

 

Quarterfinals Results 

Ryan Jahr of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. def. Matthew Richardson of Ayden, N.C. 2 & 1

Davis Sayman of Charlotte, N.C. def. James Rico of Cary, N.C. 2 up

Davis Wotnosky of Wake Forest, N.C., def. Jack Wieler of Waxhaw, N.C. 1 up

Nick Norman of Gastonia, N.C. def. Alex Bock of Morganton, N.C. 2 up

 

 

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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