The TJGT made its yearly pilgrimage to Austin and the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa for the traditional Holiday Classic. As always, the Barton Creek staff were incredible and the golf courses were in prime conditions. The first day was a challenge for all the players considering the cold and windy conditions. A true test of perseverance and mental toughness. Over the next two days all of the players had the opportunity to take advantage of great scoring conditions. At the end of the first round, the TJGT hosted a Q&A panel of well-respected college coaches. The panel was hosted in order to provide parents and players alike a glimpse into the life of college athletes and advice on making the right college selection.
College coaches in attendance this weekend, included: University of Arkansas Little Rock, University of Texas-Arlington, Colorado State University, Abilene Christian University, Baylor University, Western Texas University, Johnson & Wales University, Concordia University, Vanderbilt University, Midwestern State University, The University of Texas, The University of North Texas, Incarnate Word University, University of Texas San Antonio, and Stephen F. Austin State University. The large showing of college coaches at the annual Holiday classic was a true testament as to why the Texas Junior Golf Tour is “The Road to College Golf.”
The Boys 15-18 top five finishers, including ties all received AJGA PBE stars. The champion took home 12 stars. The Girls 11-18 top five finishers, including ties all received AJGA PBE stars. The champion took home 12 stars.
The Boys 11-14 top three finishers, including ties all received AJGA PBE stars. The champion took home 2 stars.
Boys 15-18 Division
Day 1—The temperatures remained in the upper 30s and the wind was gusting at 30 mph. Phillip Choi (2019) of Corinth, TX led the way with the only under par round on first day of the tournament at 70. Behind Choi was Ryan Bailey (2016) of Humble, TX, 2016 posting a solid 73. Tucker Allen (2019) of Granbury, TX and Nicholas Winborn (2019) of Austin, TX joined the leader group posting a pair of 74s.
Day 2—The second day began with a frost delay as temperatures hovered in the low 30s, until the sun crested over the horizon. The scoring was consistent for the day as eight boys posted scores of even par or better. Allen lit up the course with a 68 on the second day, posting a four under front nine score of 32. Riley Kovach (2016) of Highland Village, TX and Justin Thompson (2017) of Dallas, TX posted rounds of 69 to jump up the leaderboard. Right behind them was Ben Constancio (2017) of Pflugerville, TX, 2017 as he fired a 70 for the day.
At the close of day two, Allen had a two day total of 142-even par and a two shot lead over Thompson to start the final round.
Day Three—The tournament commenced with a day similar to the conditions of round two, only a little warmer. Once again, scoring was at a premium with ten players shooting even par or better. Tucker Allen held on to his lead with a steady even par round of 72 to take home the Barton Creek Holiday Classic championship trophy. Philip Choi and Ryan Bailey each finished in a tie for second place with a 219 three-day total. Choi bested Bailey on the second sudden death playoff hole with a par. Logan Pate (2016) of Richmond, TX finished in fourth place with a three day total of 220. The Lonestar boys champion Grant Lincecum bested three other young men in four way playoff on the third hole with a birdie. Lincecum was tied with Andrew Gibson of Scotland, Kovach and Cyrus Turner (2016) of Austin, TX. A positive highlight of the day came when Matthew Braley (2018) of Broken Arrow, OK tied the tournament low round with an incredible score of 68.
GIRLS 11-18 Division
Day One— Cory Lopez (2020) from Monterey, Mexico and Darby Deans (2017) of Frisco, TX were tied after round one with scores of 79. In third place was Kaylee Vesely (2020) of Austin, TX with a 79. In a tie for fourth place at 80 was Rebecca Reed (2019) of Midland, TX and Sophiea DiGesualdo of Austin, TX
Day Two— The second round began with no wind and temperatures in the low 40s, providing the girls with a perfect opportunity for the players to post low scores. After round one, Deans followed her second round with a 74 which gave her the tournament lead. Kaylee Vesely and Randi Romack (2017), both Austin, TX natives, were in a tie for second place. Vesely posted a 76 and Romack posted a 74 in the second round. Cory Lopez and Morgan Lay (2017) of Austin, TX were tied for fourth place. Lopez posted an 80 and Lay a 76.
Day Three—Deans continued her consistent play and finished with the final round in a tie for first with Morgan Lay. Deans posted a final round of 77 and Lay had the low score of the day for the girls with a 71, which assisted her in jumping up the leaderboard to tie Deans. Lay won the sudden death playoff for first place with a par on the third hole a heated playoff Finishing in a tie for third was Kaylee Vesely and Randi Romack, both young women finished their final round with scores of 75. Romack best Vesely on the third playoff hole as well with a par. Cory Lopez shot a 78 in her final round to claim the fifth place spot.
BOYS 11-14 Division
Day One—Thomas Bockholt (2019) of Austin, TX held in the lead after round one with a 76. Dallas Hankamer (2021) of Temple, TX sat in second place posting a 78. Jack Wehman (2020) and J. Holland Humphries (2021), both Austin, TX natives were in a tie for third with pairs of 79.
Day Two— The 11-14 boys came out firing on the second day of competition and the winds remained calm offering the perfect scenario for low scoring. Hankamer posted a 71 to claim the leader spot after round two. John Keefer (2019) of San Antonio, TX also posted a solid second round with a 72. Bockholt posted a 79 to sit in third place. In a tie for fourth was Humphries and Trey Bosco (2020) of Austin, TX. Humphries shot a 77 and Bosco shot a 76.
Day Three— John Keefer posted an incredible round with a score of 69 to claim first place. Finishing in second place was Trey Bosco. He closed out his tournament with an equally impressive score of 68. Hankamer finished in 3rd with an 82 for his final round score. Thomas Bockholt finished placed fourth and Andres Quintanilla (2019) of Santiago, Chile finished in fifth place with a 235 three-day total.
