Seventy junior golfers tested their skill at the popular and challenging Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech on Monday June 17 as part of the Blue Ridge Junior Golf Tour. Immaculate conditions greeted the young players as well as many enthusiastic volunteers. Play was suspended for 45 minutes in the early afternoon due to rain and lightning. However, the weather didn’t dampen the spirit of the players as they gladly got back on the course to complete their round. All holes were completed by all age groups.
Dewayne Belcher, Director of Tour Operations said it was a treat to include this prestigious course on the Tour schedule.
“Any course associated with name of Pete Dye is top quality and the one at Virginia Tech certainly adds to Dye’s collection of great golf venues,” he said.
Here is a summary of the results from each age division.
16-18 Age Group Par 72 6495 Yards
Noah Moler of Newport won the age group by one shot over Tyler Williams of Floyd. Moler, a recent Craig County High School grad shot 76 by putting together nine-hole scores of 38 to edge Williams. Moler has committed to continue his education and golf pursuits in the fall at Bluefield College. Sam VanDyne of Max Meadows was third with a score of 80.
14-15 Age Group Par 72 5903 Yards
Benson Blevins of Wytheville used the rain delay to his advantage by getting some lunch and then playing the second nine in even par en route to a score of 77. Benson was 5 over on the first nine holes but settled down after the rain. That was good enough to edge Jake Albert of Christiansburg, who posted a score of 79. McKenzie Weddle of Floyd followed her victory at Tazewell with a third place finish shooting a score of 87.
12-13 Age Group Par 72 5903 Yards
Talan Gentry of Hillsville shot 92 to edge Tanner Vest of Shady Springs, WV by a single stroke. Gentry made just enough pars on the second nine to secure the victory. Grayden Laird of Galax was third.
10-12 Age Group Par 36 2589 Yards
Major Ewing of Blacksburg won for the first time on the Blue Ridge Junior by posting a nine-hole score of 42. Grant McCall of Richlands continued his excellent play with a second place finish and a score of 44. Jack Skinner of Blacksburg was third with a score of 46.
9 and Under Age Group Par 36 1935 Yards
Hudson Hurt of Radford won the age group with a score of 50. Blaine Morgan of Bluefield, WV was second with a score of 60. Nolan Hurt of Radford was third with a score of 65.
The tour season continues June 24 at the Wytheville Golf Club.
–Blue Ridge Golf
