LowcoSports.com
Calm conditions and low scores were the theme of the day for Sunday’s final round of the S.C. Junior Golf Association’s Fripp Island Junior Challenge played at Fripp Island’s Ocean Creek Golf Course.
Overnight leader Luke Johnson of Aiken converted his lead into a one-stroke victory in the boys division, finishing at 6-over par 149 to edge Blythewood’s Teddy Dunn, who carded the lowest round of the tournament with a 2-under 69 on Sunday.
Beaufort’s Simon McAlister finished six shots off the pace, tied for eighth in the 66-player field.
Karsyn Herron of Graniteville claimed the girls title with a two-day total of 164. Herron finished six strokes ahead of Aynor’s Reese Richardson.
The first two-day Players Series event of 2023 would not have been nearly as successful without the support of Beaufort Charities, which has donated more than 600 sets of clubs to local youth over the past nine years and have been supporters of the SCJGA and South Carolina Golf Association since 2018.
Georgia talents capture Jr. Heritage titles
John Daniel Culbreth of Thomasville, Georgia, posted a final round score of 2-under-par 69 on Sunday at Harbour Town Golf Links to claim the boys title at the 32nd Sea Pines Junior Heritage, and Savannah’s Mary Miller made it a Peach State sweep with a two-day total of 2-under 141 to take home the girls title.
Culbreth made three birdies Sunday at the home of the RBC Heritage and finished the tournament at 4-under par 139.
“I started off hitting the ball pretty good,” Culbreth said. “I had some good up and downs which kind of made things a little easier. It feels good to be the champion. It was a long two days so this is a really good feeling, and this win gives me a lot of confidence that I can close out a tournament.”
Miller had two birdies Sunday and posted a final round score of 1-over 72 to take home the title.
“I started off hitting it well,” Miller said. “It was exciting going into the back-nine because Madison and I were kind of going back and forth and I am just really happy to be the champion. The win hasn’t really hit yet, but I know it will tonight. This boosts my confidence a lot and it’s great to start off the year with a win.”
