Jones Takes NC Junior Boys Title

 

 

Event: 57th North Carolina Junior Boys' Championship

Host Site: Rolling Hills CC

Playing Dates: June 19-21, 204

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

 

Related: Championship Website  | Scoring |  History  |  Photos

 

MONROE, N.C. - Jonathon Jones of Denver, NC is the winner of the 57th North Carolina Junior Boys' Championship at Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe, NC. Jones shot rounds of 69-67-68 to win by two shots over runner-up Andrew Neal of Cary, N.C. This was Jones' first CGA victory, and with the win, he earned an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club. 
 

After his 3-under score of 69 in the first round, Jones found himself three shots behind the leader. However, he began vaulting up the leaderboard during his second round. Jones went on a hot streak after shooting even-par 36 on the front nine, making birdie on five of his last six holes. This streak was capped off by a beautiful 20-foot putt on the ninth hole (his final hole of the day).

As the final round commenced, Jones found himself in a neck-and-neck battle with Neal, both tied at 8-under par. Undeterred, Jones made a strong start, securing a birdie on the first hole, which was the most challenging on the course. From that point on, Jones displayed a calm and unwavering game, maintaining his lead until the end of the round. With a 3-under 33 on the front nine, Jones continued his consistent performance on the back nine with seven straight pars, a testament to his game's stability throughout the week.

On the 17th hole, Neal made an eagle while Jones made birdie, cutting the lead to two shots. However, Jones never wavered. On the difficult 18th hole, Jones hit both the fairway and the green, then comfortably two-putted for the victory. This win capped off a true underdog story for Jones, who got into the tournament by getting up-and-down to qualify on the number. 

When asked about his mindset going into the US Junior Championship, Jones said: "Momentum. If I can do this, I know I can do a lot of things, and I just want to keep that up. Those are 200 of the best golfers in the world, and I'm a part of that." When asked about the best part of his game, Jones said: "My putter was really good on the front nine; after I got to the back nine, I settled down and got comfortable, and I tried to focus on keeping it in play."

We look forward to seeing Jones play in the 76th US Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills. The CGA would like to thank General Manager Jeff Avant, Greens Superintendent Monty Coffey, and Head Golf Professional Justin Wiley for their help in putting on a great event. 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1909 to promote and protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support, and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is one of the largest golf associations in the country, with over 700 member clubs represented by over 200,000 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 and 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 over $3,000,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives, including junior, women and adaptive programs.

For more information about the Carolinas Golf Association, follow @cgagolf1909 on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok or visit our website www.carolinasgolf.org/

 

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