The TGA Sneds Tour Chattanooga Regional Championships at The Ooltewah Club Wednesday concluded Thursday with exciting endings for a pair of of boys titles, plus a strong performance for the girls' crown.
Drilling a hole-in-one on what turned out to be his final "official" shot, opening round leader Cody Walter avoided disaster to claim the 14-Under crown, while Steven Guild made a valiant rally but came up just short in the Boys 15-18 race.
In the girls competition, Charli "Duck" Troxell claimed the championship with her consistent game for a five-stroke victory.
Due to a couple of weather-related delays, the oldest boys division was the only one to get in the full 36 holes, while the girls and younger guys were only able to get in an "official" 27 holes.
After Wednesday's opening round 1-over-par 73, Walter carded a 3-over 39 in the final day's play for 5-over 112 winning tally.
The Bradley Virtual School student who is going to play at Walker Valley High School starting this fall, held off a charge from Lookout Mountain's Crue Haisten, who followed up his opening round 7-over 79 by shooting even par, including a birdie, to cut the deficit in half through Thursday's first seven holes.
After both players bogeyed the par-4 17th hole, Walter halted his stumble of being 6-over through the first eight holes with his "ace" on the 190-yard par 3 ninth hole, while Haisten once again parred for an 8-over 115 tally.
Lookout Mountain duo Grant Alling (117) and Clayton Duke (118) came in third and fourth, respectively, while Cleveland' Hayes Garner and Fletcher Wakefield, also from Lookout Mountain, tied for fifth at 120 in the 15-player division.
In the Boys 15-18 Masters Division, Bryce Guinn was the opening day leader, firing even-par 72, and was just 1-over Thursday until opening the door with a bogey and double bogey on his final two holes.
The Greenville golfer finished with an eagle and five birdies, but also had a pair of "doubles" and a trio of bogeys.
Firing the low-round of the tournament, Guild made up fought back from a 78 on Wednesday with a 1-under 71 Thursday, but a bogey on the last hole kept him from forcing a playoff for the crown.
The Ooltewah linkster sank seven birdie putts, but also had 10 bogeys and a double-bogey.
Not behind the Top 2, Chattanooga' Leo Vazquez was third with a 7-over 151, with Lookout Mountain's Pierce Grant fourth at 8-over 152.
The Signal Mountain duo of Brayden Helle and Tucker Cruise tied for fifth in the 35-player field with 153s.
A "baker's dozen" of young ladies tangled for the 12-18 year old title with Troxell in control the whole way.
With 14 pars in the opening 18, the rising Ooltewah senior was the opening round medalist with a 5-over 77 and turned in the second-best half round Thursday with a 2-over 35.
The following five spots were decided by one-stroke each with rising Boyd Buchanan sophomore GibbieKay Cain earning the runner-up finish with a 83-36 — 119, claiming second day medalist honors with her 1-over half round.
Despite five birdies in the opening round, Caroline Au had to settle for third place, posting an overall 78-42 — 120.
The Signal Mountain tandem of May May McGee and Madison O'Dell rounded out the Top 5 at 122 and 123 respectively.
Bradley Central rising senior Colby Ann Turner bounced back an 85 opening round with a 3-over 38 in Thursday's half round to capture sixth place with a 123 total.