The Gleannloch Pines Junior Championship commenced this past weekend. The tournament was hosted by the fabulous Gleannloch Pines Golf Club and TJGT’s Houston division. With this tournament falling on the day of numerous college graduations, we know college golf was on the minds of many of the young competitors. Mother Nature was unkind to the 91 players teeing it up on Saturday, as hours upon hours of rain completely washed out the first round of play. The tournament was then shortened to an 18 hole event and placed pressure on the players to perform with the best of their capabilities. Collegiate Coaches in attendance represented the following institutions: Houston Baptist University and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Girls 15-18 Division
1. Kenlie Barrett (2018) – The Woodlands, Tx – 71
2. Valeria Patino (2017) – Katy, Tx – 72
3. Ava Schwienteck (2017) – Magnolia, Tx – 75
The very first group of the day saw Kenlie Barrett (2018) of The Woodlands, Tx, Valeria Patino (2017) of Katy, Tx and Rachel Hardy (2016) of Houston, Tx all stick approach shots to within 2 feet of the hole. This was surely a sign that their were lots of birdies to be claimed on the rain softened greens. Kenlie Barrett went on to win first place with a solid 71. Her even par score was enough to hold off a late charge by Valeria Patino who fired a 72. 5A Girls State champion Ava Schwienteck (2017) of Magnolia, Tx cruised to 3rd place finish posting a +4 over par 75.
Girls 11-14 Division
1. Yingzhu Zhu (2021) – Austin, Tx – 73
2. Halle Whitney (2020) – Magnolia, Tx – 85
3. Jackie Feldman (2021) – Austin, Tx – 86
**Zhu pictured with wrong 15-18 division flag**
Youngster Yingzhu Zhu (2021) of Austin, Tx made a stellar appearance in the Girls 11-14 division. Her +2 over par 73 was 12 shots clear of Halle Whitney (2020) of Magnolia, Tx who posted an 85 and Jackie Feldman (2021) of Austin,TX who posted an 86.
Boys 15-18 Division
1. Preston McGinty (2017) – Lorena, Tx – 64
2. Ben McCall (2018) – Spring, Tx – 68
T3. Clayton King (2017) – Uvalde, Tx – 69
T3. Jackson Taff (2019) – Houston, Tx – 69
T3. Connor Stein (2018) – Houston, Tx – 69
The fireworks of the event were certainly shown in the Boys 15-18 division. It’s not often that one can claim they shot 69 and entered a playoff for third place. But that’s exactly what happened. Preston McGinty (2017) of Lorena TX fired an impressive -7 under 64, just 3 strokes shy of a TJGT Record round. McGinty is quickly making a name for himself on the TJGT. Ben McCall (2018) of Spring, Tx posted a solid -3 under 68 to claim second place. For third place, there was tie between Clayton King (2017) of Uvalde, Tx, Jackson Taff (2019) of Houston, Tx, and Connor Stein (2018) of Houston, Tx. The players were forced to resort to a scorecard playoff to settle the match as torrential downpours began once play concluded. King prevailed and claimed the third place trophy.
Boys 11-14 Division
1. Kolton Nunez (2020) – Cypress, Tx – 74
2. Beau Autrey (2021) – Beaumont, Tx – 78
3. William Cima (2020) – Montgomery, Tx – 80
Kolton Nunez (2020) of Cypress, Tx stormed away from the Boys 11-14 division with a +3 over par score of 74. Beau Autrey (2021) of Beaumont, Tx fired a 78 and was just a few shots back, while from William Cima (2020) of Montgomery, Tx claimed third place with an 80.
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