John Racciatti Jr.
(Alabama Golf Association Photo)

Playing in the second-to-last group Racciatti Jr., a member at The Lakewood Club, got off to a hot start with birdies on four of his six opening holes (1, 2, 5, 6) to quickly catch 36-hole leader Connor Doyal of Homewood who began his round with bogeys on two of his three opening holes.

Racciatti Jr. continued his hot play on the back nine with birdies on 10, eagle on 12 and an exclamation point birdie on the 18th hole. Doyal could not find the magic needed to catch Racciatti Jr. and posted a final round 75 to finish in a tie for fifth place at 213 (-3).

McFadden tried to keep pace with Racciatti Jr. carding a final round 69 but a bogey on the sixth hole and a costly double bogey on the ninth hole was too much to overcome to catch the lead.

“I thought if I could get to eight-under par that would at least get me into a playoff which I probably would have been in since Will (McFadden) finished at eight-under,” Racciatti Jr. said. “I got it going early with two birdies on the first two (holes). Shot of the tournament was my second shot on number 12 where I had 245-yards and hit to six feet and made the eagle putt. It feels really good to be the State Junior champion and feel honored to have my name alongside the likes of Bobby Wyatt, (William) Buhl and Alex Green.”

Racciatti Jr. is not only the overall champion but also wins the 16-18 age division title. Hunter Battles of Tucumbia is the 14-15 champion finishing at 213 (-3), Evans Gross of Birmingham takes home the 12-13 title with a 221 (+5) and Alex Roberts of Birmingham wins the 9-11 crown with a 27-hole total of 123 (+15).

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