Jr Heritage: Skoler scores breakthrough, Roberts wins playoff

Rebecca Skoler has had a busy winter. After the Weston, Mass., native made starts in the Harder Hall Women’s Invitational (19th) and the South Atlantic Amateur (T-17), the Sea Pines Junior Heritage turned out to be her week. Skoler went 5 over for two rounds at Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head Island, S.C., to win by two shots.

Skoler’s margin of victory could have been even larger but for bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 coming in on Sunday. She started the day with a double bogey, but rebounded swiftly. Skoler played Nos. 2-16 in even par.

“I knew just to stick with it, grind and good things will come,” Skoler said. I was hitting the ball really well yesterday and knew I could do the same today.”

Skoler called the Sea Pines a big confidence boost as she embarks on the rest of her senior season in high school. While she was in Sea Island, her dad was cheering on the Patriots at the Super Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.

Laney Frye was second after rounds of 76-74 left her at 7 over. Phoebe Carles finished third another shot back.

In the boys division, Brett Roberts and J.T. Herman finished regulation tied for first at 1 over. In the end, it was Robert who took home the trophy after three extra holes.

“Both of us, we weren’t hitting the ball great down the stretch,” Roberts said.

Roberts took the lead into the final round and parred the first eight holes before a bogey at No. 9 dropped him to a tie with Herman. They traded the lead over the back nine but both bogeyed Nos. 17 and 18 to remain tied.

Three players tied for third at 2 over, including Drew Salyers, Daniel Azallion and Will Davis. Among the six players tied for sixth at 4 under were Allan Kournikova and John Daly II.