In the summer of 1999, Fincastle Country Club had a number of young aspiring golfers and the idea of a small regional junior golf tour was launched under the direction of then head professional Vic Sorrell and several club members.
Surrounding golf courses were invited to join the effort and thus, the Blue Ridge Junior Golf Tour began its quest to promote the game of golf to young players throughout the two Virginias.
For 25 summers, the Tour has provided competitive opportunities at venues throughout the area including a return to Fincastle on Monday June 26 for the East River Anesthesiology and Orthopaedic Center of the Virginias Junior Classic. Now owned by the town of Bluefield, the course is still a fantastic host for junior golf.
Windy conditions made play quite challenging for the 60 young players. Here is a recap of the age group results:
17-18 Age Group Par 70 6579 Yards
Walker Gillespie of Pearisburg posted a score of 5 over par 75 and won the age group. Gillespie, a member of the Giles High School golf team made five birdies to help secure the win. Brody Shull of Radford was five back with a score of 80 to finish second, and Bobcat teammate Lucas Beeler finished third with a score of 81.
15-16 Age Group Par 70 6168 Yards
Harris Camp of Roanoke shot 3 over par 73 to win the age group. Harris made four birdies during the round including a pair on the final two holes to post the low round of the day. That finish allowed Harris to separate himself from Peyton Mason of Willis, who was second in the age group with a score of 79. Rocky Frye of Bramwell, WV was a shot back at 80 and finished third.
13-14 Age Group Par 70 5365 Yards
Tyler Stover of Beckley, WV overcame a rough start on the inward nine, making three much needed pars on the final three holes to shoot 83 and edge Brody Thomas of Glade Springs, VA by a single shot. Thomas had a narrow one shot lead after 17, but Stover’s par made the difference as Thomas stumbled home with an unfortunate double bogey. Evan Singleton of Pulaski shot 88 and finished third.
10-12 Age Group Par 35 2421 Yards
JJ Robertson of Blacksburg shot 38 and won the competitive age group. Robertson tallied two birdies, including one on the final hole. Liam Smith of Elliston was second with an impressive score of 40. Josiah Underwood of Floyd was third a shot back at 41.
9 and Under Age Group Par 35 1997 Yards
Silas Edmonds of Wytheville shot 51 and won the age group. Benjamin Schendel of Christiansburg was second with a score of 55. Connor Kitts of Bluefield was third with a score of 58.
Report courtesy of Blue Ridge Junior Golf
