2016 Junior Golf Tour Results

As Of 7.31.16

SIGA ENDS SEASON WITH JUNIOR GOLF TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

GEARY DENISTON
WEST FRANKFORT — The Southern Illinois Golf Association finished its season with the Player of the Year Award on the line in four boys and girls age groups at the 6th Annual Vogler Ford Lincoln Junior Golf Tour Championship held at the Franklin County Country Club Sunday.Wiatt Jennings, a 17-year old from Woodlawn, finished second by two strokes Sunday to Garrett Jenkins, but his body of work over the junior tour was enough to win Player of the Year in the 16-18 boys age group by 79.2 points.
“All summer I was hoping to make Player of the Year,” Jennings said.
“I played in 12 tournaments and my lowest finish was fourth place. Today was up-and-down. I had four double-bogies, but I also had four birdies. It was a roller coaster ride.”The 17-year old Jenkins from Harrisburg carded a four-over 75 to edge Jennings by two strokes for the tournament title.”I didn’t expect to win today, especially after I had a rough start to start the back nine,”
Jenkins said. “I was one over when I hit a really bad drive to right and didn’t hit a good punch shot for a triple on 10. However, I ended up pulling it together with three birdies and three bogies, but I was pretty happy with it.”
Rachel Kell,16, of Nashville, survived a seven-hole stretch that featured a triple bogey, four doubles and a single to shoot an 85 to win the title of the 16-18 girls by one stroke over Carbondale 16-year-old Josie Sykes.
“I started off good, but had one bad hole that carried over for quite a few,” Kell said.
“The last five holes I doubled down and finished strong. I made a good putt for par on 17 that won it.”However, Sykes’ lead going into the tournament was big enough to earn her Player of the Year in the 16-18 girls by 16.7 points.”I wasn’t really expecting it, but I guess I played in enough tournaments and finished first and second enough times to help with the points,” Sykes said.
“I’ve been a little shaky this summer, but I finished strong today.”In the 14-15 boys, 15-year-old Brendan Luster from Benton finished with a 78 to win the title by three strokes over Josh Green and Isaac Hammet.”I’ve only been playing golf for a year and a half,” Luster said.
“It’s been a good year. I’ve played in 10 or 11 tournaments and won about seven. On the first hole I hit my tee-shot into the rough, but I punched out and got up-and-down for a par. It was a good way to start. Even though the greens were a little fast today I still had two birdies.”In the 14-15 girls it was a battle between two Murphysboro 14-year olds, with Hannah Gahagan nipping Kaci Rendleman by a stroke for the title. Kylee Vaughn, who didn’t participate Sunday, was awarded Player of the Year honors by 32.5 points over Gahagan.”I got off to a rough start over the first six or seven holes, but I turned it around to win by one and that was pretty stressful,” Gahagan said. “I had a birdie on one of the par three’s where I was about 25-feet away. I made the putt, so that might have been the winner.”The 12-13 boys title was won by Benton 11-year old Cy Norman by a stroke over defending champion Jarrett James. It was Norman’s first title in his second year on the tour.”Even though I couldn’t really get a rhythm going I still played pretty well today,” Norman said.
“Off the tee I was a little back and forth, but I hit a lot of greens and that saved me.”Ben Herron, a 12-year old from West Frankfort, who finished eight strokes back, was named 12-13 boys Player of the Year by 24 points over James.”Playing golf and swimming describes my summer,” Herron said.
“I’ve only been playing about 10 months. I live just over the creek down by (hole) 17, so I drive my Ranger over here and pretty much play every day. This summer I’ve played in 11 events, winning five trophies.”Madison McClusky, a 12-year old from Harrisburg, won the title by eight strokes as well as earning 12-13 girls Player of the Year honors by 24.5 points over Kelsey Sinks.”Today was some good, some bad as always,” McClusky said. “You never really know if you’re going to win and I didn’t know until the last hole. I’ve been golfing since I was six and plan on playing in college.”Eleven-year old Paige Compardo from Murphysboro also won the tournament with a 60, as well as earning 10-11 girls Player of the Year by 8.25 points over Clara Gahagan.”Today was okay, but I usually score in the 50’s, so it wasn’t my best round,” Compardo said. “My best two holes were one and eight where I got bogey, which was pretty good for me.”Austin Collins, an 11-year old from Eldorado who has been playing competitive golf since he was five, also took home dual honors with title and Player of the Year in the 10-11 boys age group, easily out-pointing Norman by 70.25 points.”This was my fourth tournament title this summer,” Collins said.
“My long shots were a little rough, but I hit some greens and that’s what saved me because my putter was working just fine.”