Austin native Stratton Nolen (2013) and Summar Roachell (2013) of Conway, Ark., climbed into the top spots
AUSTIN, Texas (Aug. 8, 2012) -- Austin native Stratton Nolen (2013) and Summar Roachell (2013) of Conway, Ark., climbed into the top spots of the Boys and Girls Divisions, respectively, Wednesday during the second round of the 44th annual Trusted Choice® Big “I” National Championship at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas.
Nolen hit 17 greens and sunk three birdies during his bogey-free round. At 69-68—137, he currently has a four-stroke lead over his competitors.
“My ball striking saved me so I didn’t really need to work for too many pars,” he said. “I just need to do everything I’ve been doing the last couple of days, and I should be fine. If I just keep hitting fairways and greens, eventually my putts will go in.”
Brendan Doyle (2014) of Louisville, Ken., Austin Smotherman (2012) of Loomis, Calif., and Jack Chung (2013) of Buena Park, Calif., all trail Nolen at 1-under. Cameron Andrade (2013) of Bristol, R.I., (son of PGA Tour pro Billy Andrade) and first-round leader Skye Inakoshi (2013) of Honolulu are tied for fifth place at 1-over-par.
Fifty-seven boys at 12-over-par and better made the cut after Wednesday’s round.
A University of Arkansas commit, Roachell carded four birdies on the day to build a three-stroke lead at 3-under-par 71-70—141. Roachell attributes her success to limiting mistake, which helped build her momentum
“To start off I couldn’t really get any putts to drop, but I tried to stay patient because I knew I would put myself in position to make some,” she said. “You can make birdies on this course, and I just have to know when to take advantage of my opportunities.”
Anne Freman (2013) of Las Vegas carded three birdies in her last six holes to jump into second place at even par 72-72—144. Taylor Coleman (2015) of San Antonio, Texas sits in third place at 1-over and Maddie McCrary (2014) of Wylie, Texas is in fourth at 2-over for the tournament. Three players are tied at 3-over-par.
Twenty-seven girls shot 14-over-par or better to make the cut after round two.
Alexander Ou Hughes (2014) of Tulsa, Okla., made the first hole-in-one of the tournament Wednesday. Hughes said he hit a two-foot fade with a 9-iron on the 170-yard, par-3 12th that landed five feet from the pin and rolled in the side of the cup. It was the fourth ace of his career.
The boys are playing with a par of 71 at 7,031 yards and a course rating of 75.0. The girls are playing at 6,098 yards with a par of 72 and a course rating of 76.3.
About the Big I National Championship
72-Hole Championship with a cut after 36 holes. Low 54 boys and 27 girls and all ties will make the cut. Some 4,000 boys and girls attempt to qualify every year to participate in the 167 player field. The Trusted Choice Big "I" has qualifying opportu...
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