Cope, De Marco Claim Medalist Honors as Texas Junior Match Play Turns to Bracket

MAGNOLIA — The Texas Junior Match Play shifted to bracket play Wednesday morning at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club after two days of stroke play qualifying determined the seeds. Elliot Cope of Spicewood earned medalist honors in the Boys Division at 8-under 136, while Stephanie De Marco of Southlake claimed the Girls top seed at 1-over 145.

Cope, a class of 2028 graduate, entered Tuesday's second round with a two-stroke lead and never looked back. He parred his first three holes before picking up birdies at the par-4 fourth and the par-5 sixth. Another birdie at the 10th pushed him further ahead, and though he stumbled with a bogey at the 12th — a demanding par 4 that bends right — he answered immediately with a birdie at 13 and parred home for a 3-under 69. His 136 total gave him the No. 1 seed by a comfortable margin.