Donald Ross Jr: 68 on Pinehurst #2 Wins it for Wotnosky
12/31/2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Pinehurst Resort
Grayson Wotnosky's brilliant round at the U.S. Open venue denies A.J. Beechler a third Donald Ross title
PINEHURST, NC (December 29, 2017) - Grayson Wotnosky of Wake Forest, NC shot a final-round 68 on the famed Pinehurst #2 Course to win the Donald Ross Junior.
The 16-year-old struggled in the opening round on Pinehurst #5, suffering a triple-bogey and four bogeys en route to a 76. But after bogeying his first hole on #2, he came alive with five birdies (including three in a row from 3-5) and with no dropped shots.
Wotnosky won by a single shot over defending champion A.J. Beechler of Pinehurst, who was going for his third title in the event. In addition to his two-shot win last year, Beechler won the 12-14 age division in 2014.
After double-bogeying the 13th hole, Beechler (74-71) made three straight birdies but couldn't find the last birdie he needed to catch Wotnosky.
Will Stakel of Duluth, GA (74-71) was even par with two holes to play but bogeyed the par-3 17th to fall into a second-place tie with Beechler.
Christopher Sperrazza of Raleigh, NC (75-71) and Attie Giles of Pinehurst (73-73) finished in a tie for 4th at 2-over 146.
Earlier this year, Wotnosky teamed up with fellow North Carolina junior Akshay Bhatia to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship in Pinehurst. They became the youngest team to make it to match play in the championship.
About the Donald Ross Junior
The Donald Ross Junior Championship was established in 1947 as a memorial to famed Scottish golf course architect Donald Ross. More than 200 high school boys and girls come to Pinehurst every December to compete for this coveted title. Fun twist -- t...
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