Tournament which was cancelled due to snow and ice in 2004 gets a break with the weather as North Carolina sees unseasonably warm December temps
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA (December 29, 2005) -- The 58th Donald Ross Junior Championship was conducted in unseasonably mild December temperatures. After the cancellation of the 57th Championship due to snow and ice in 2004, 181 contestants were greeted with great weather. The Championship began after the famed golf architect died in 1948. Past winners include Chip Beck, Leonard Thompson, and David Eger. Three age groups competed in 36-holes of stroke play on Course No. 1 and No. 5. The 11 and under age group played the 5297 yard, par 73 Course No. 1. The 12 to 14 age group also played Course No. 1 but as a 5857 yard par 70. The 15 to 17 age group competed on the 6593-yard par 72 Course No. 5.
In the 11 and under age division, Zachary Martin of Wilson, NC held onto his overnight lead to claim victory. Martin shot three under 70 in round one to earn a four shot cushion. Martin again posted a red number in round two for a nine shot victory. In second place was Drew Johnson of Oak Ridge, NC at 151. In third was Jackson Moore of Isle of Palms, SC at 154, in fourth was Ty Palmer of Kernersville, NC at 156 and in
fifth place was Zack Botts of Jonesborough, TN at 159.
In the 12 to 14 age division, Logan Harrell of Huntersville, NC came from behind to win by two shots over Jack Cottrill of Charlotte, NC and David Sessions of Winston-Salem, NC. Harrell's first round 69 was two back of Cottrill's opening round of three under par 67. Harrell cut the deficit to one when Cottrill bogeyed the 6th hole. Harrell then took his first lead of the day when he made birdie two on the par three 11th hole. Harrell kept his persuers at bay by playing the last eleven holes at even par. Robert Hoadley of Southern Pines, NC posted a final round 68 to finish in fourth. Spencer Lawson of Raleigh, NC and Nicholas Austin of Midlothian, VA finished tied for fifth at 145.
In the 15 to 17 age division, 14 players were at even par or better after round one. Mark McMillen, Jr. of Smithfield, NC held a one shot lead after posting a four under par 68. Three players were one shot back, tied at 69 heading into the final round. In the final group, Henry Zaytoun, III of Raleigh, NC and Derek Wallace of Smithfield, NC both carded three under par 33's on the outward half to take a joint lead over McMillen. Zaytoun then took a one shot lead by making birdie on the 10th hole. Wallace pulled into a tie by making birdie three on the 12th . Zaytoun proceeded to stake a claim to the title by making birdie on the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th holes. Zaytoun bettered Wallace by four strokes in route to a final round 64 and a four shot victory and a 36-hole total of 11 under par 133. Against one bogey, Zaytoun’s lone bogey came on his second hole of the day. Wallace finished in solo second at 137 and McMillen in third at 139. Tied for fourth were Corey Nagy and Daniel Meggs both of Charlotte, NC at three under par 141.
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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