Dickson's Poppy Pewitt was the first round leader after Monday's play
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Poppy Pewitt felt right at home in firing a 3-under par 69 on Monday to grab the lead after the first day of the 62nd edition of the Tennessee Girls’ Junior Championship, continuing her streak of steady play that led to a recent win at the Tennessee Junior PGA Championship.
Pewitt, a 15-year-old rising sophomore at Dickson County High School, closed with birdies on 17 and 18 to secure a one-shot lead over Hixson’s Carlee Rogers who shot 2-under 70 at the 6,039-yard, par 72 GreyStone Golf Club in Pewitt’s hometown of Dickson.
Pewitt shot even par over her opening nine with a birdie and a bogey, then posted a 33 coming home to take the lead after finishing 21st in this event last year.
Rogers, who has committed to the University of Miami following her upcoming senior year at Baylor School, started with two birdies on her opening nine after starting on No. 10. She had a pair of bogeys to go with two birdies over her final nine, including a birdie on her final hole at No. 9.
Brentwood’s Hayden Cherry was the only other golfer in red figures after posting a 1-under 71 to land in 3rd place. The Ensworth School rising senior had three birdies in the span of four holes to shoot 33 on her opening nine after beginning at No. 10, then carded a 38 after turning to the front side.
Isabella Coughlin of Knoxville appeared poised to find her name joining Pewitt atop the leaderboard, moving to 3-under for her round following back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15. However, the rising senior at Christian Academy of Knoxville stumbled to the finish line with double bogeys on 16 and 18 to close at 1-over 73, good for 4th place.
Meredith Eller of Mount Juliet, Claire Todd of Lakeland and Maryville’s Sophia Gambini are wedged in a three-way tie for 5th at 3-over 75, while Chloe Boyd of Liberty, Catherine Bowie of Memphis and Tori Robinson of Jackson are knotted in a tie for 8th at 4-over 76.
Second round play resumes on Tuesday, with the low 36 scores and ties moving on to Wednesday’s final round. The champion earns a spot into the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship to be held July 14-19 at the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Riverside Course provided she hasn’t reached her 19th birthday by the last day of the championship.
For results and pairings, go to Girls' Junior Championship.
Boys’ Competition Delayed by Weather
A line of strong thunderstorms swept across middle Tennessee to suspend play in the Tennessee Junior Amateur boys’ competition, with the first round slated to resume on Tuesday morning at 7:30 CDT.
In the 66th edition of this tournament that resumed play in 1964 following a 15-year hiatus, Franklin’s Will Pinson was at 6-under through 14 holes to lead by two shots. However, scores from some groups – including that of defending champion Maddox Crowder - were not yet electronically uploaded.
Pinson tallied six birdies with no bogeys to showcase his fast start, posting a 32 on his opening nine.
Just behind Pinson at 4-under are Selmer’s Casen Justice (thru 12 holes), Brentwood’s Jack Doyle (11 holes) and Andrew Sandberg of Knoxville (10 holes). Ben Hall of Jonesborough sits at 3-under thru 10, while Nashville Johnny Isaacs is at 3-under thru 9.
Pinson was first alternate at a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier in Birmingham three weeks ago won by Brentwood’s Andrew Sciortino. The Middle Tennessee State signee is hoping to earn his way into the event slated for July 21-26 at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas with a win after missing out by one shot in the qualifier.
For results and pairings, go to Junior Amateur Results.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com
Will Pinson led at 6-under before play was suspended
photo by Tennessee Golf Association