Roberts nets Donald Ross Junior title with consistent play

PINEHURST, N.C. (Dec. 30, 2018) – Zach Roberts fired back-to-back rounds of 1-under 71 to edge a pair of competitors by a single shot at the Donald Ross Junior. Roberts, of Holly Springs, N.C., will end his year with a win.

The tournament was played on Pinehirst No. 5 and the newly-renovated No. 4.

Roberts, ranked No. 28 in North Carolina by the Tar Heel Youth Golf Association, strung together a lot of pars over 36 holes. On Sunday in the final round, he rebounded from a double bogey at No. 7 with a clean back nine that included just two birdies.

Behind Roberts, Will Davis of Jacksonville, Fla., and Ethan Hall of Morehead City, N.C., tied for second at 1 under. Both made up considerable ground in the final round. David followed an opening 76 with a 67 and Hall opened with 75 only to log a final-round 68. Hall is the No. 20-ranked junior in the state.

Jake Herring of Wilson, N.C., finished solo fourth with back-to-back rounds of even par.

Three players tied for fifth at 1 over including Luke Sample, Jacob Tarkany and Nicholas Mathews.

In the boys 12-14 division, William Jennings of Greenville, S.C., edged Suneil Peruvemba of McLean, Va., by a single shot. Jennings had rounds of 72-68 to finish at 4 under at Pinehurst No. 8.

Terry Sam of Thomasville, N.C., won the 11-and-under title with a 3-over 143 total at Pinehurst No. 1.