Times-Gazette Junior Golf Championship winners crowned at Brookside Golf Course
Several area golfers received valuable tournament experience on Wednesday and Thursday as the 2023 Times-Gazette Junior Golf Championship winners were crowned.
The two-day tournament was played in near flawless weather conditions at Brookside Golf Course and Pro Shop Manager Mick Briggs said the past few days are all about the kids gaining that valuable experience.
“I think the days went well,” Briggs said. “The weather cooperated as we didn’t have any raindrops fall. Attendance is down and participation is down as well, but other than that, the kids have been great and the golf course is in good condition. It went very well.”
Division 6 (nine holes per day) was won by 12-year old Laney Meek who shot a 50-64-114. Meek said she is just beginning to start her potential, golf tournament career.
“I’ve had a few tournaments before this but not many,” she explained. “They have all started this year.”
Like all budding athletes, Meek is ready and preparing to improve.
“I wish I could have done better,” she said. “But other than that I think I did ok. I would like to improve my putting and maybe my drives a little bit to get them going more straight.”
Finishing in second place in the D6 bracket was 9-year old Livi Cooke who shot back-to-back 70s for an even 140.
“Yes, I was a little bit nervous,” she said about her first tournament experience. “I was a little nervous about hitting the ball straight.”
When asked how she thought she played, she simply replied, “Good.”
In D5, Dally Meek won a playoff hole tiebreaker over Kyah Huckleberry after both girls finished the round tied at 178. Elleni Miller nearly made it a three-way playoff, finishing with a 179.
In D4 (nine holes per day), Jackson Zarnstorff shot a 58-54-112 for a 5-shot victory over Collin Little’s 60-57-117.
Ty Ellis shot a 201 to claim the D3 bracket over Hunter Christian’s 207. In D2 it was Ryan Eberling firing an 84-86-170 to finish 5 shots ahead of Nathan Dawson’s 88-87-175 and Jackson Brockway claimed the D1 bracket with a 96-97-193.
“For our Junior Golf Program we had 173 kids lined up to play,” said Brookside Golf Superintendent Billy Christian. “It is a well attended summer program but I am kind of disappointed in the number of kids who signed up to play in this junior tournament. The turnout is way down and I think we can do a better job of getting the word out a month or two ahead of time.”
Christian added the kids who participated the last two days represent the sport well.
“As Mick said, the kids who did play are wonderful kids and we’d also like to thank the parents for making the sacrifice to get their kids into this great, summer tournament.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Golf: T-G junior champions winners crowned at Brookside
