Sheridan’s Kamrin Allen and Wright’s Haley Shackelford each capped off dominant summers on the 2011 Wyoming Junior Golf Tour as they won their respective titles in the Wyoming State Junior Amateur.

The 36-hole tournament was played on two different golf courses in Cheyenne. The juniors made their way to the Cheyenne Airport Golf Club for the first round on August 8th and then to the Cheyenne Country Club for the second round on August 9th. Eighty nine of the state’s finest junior golfers made the trip to Cheyenne to battle for titles in eight age divisions, as well as the overall Boys and Girls Wyoming Junior Amateur Championships.

The boys overall division was tight after the first round, with Andrew Garner of Jackson, a 15-year-old, taking the lead after shooting an even par round of 70. Allen was one back at 71, tied with Green River’s Nathan Green, another 15-year-old. Sheridan’s Taylor Reed was another stroke back at 72 while Thayne Balling of Cody and 15-year-old John Murdock IV of Laramie went into the final round three strokes behind the lead after rounds of 73.

Allen and Reed separated themselves from the field early in round 2 and the tournament became a two man battle as both competitors continued to match each other with numerous birdies. Allen finished the day with six birdies without a bogey to post a six under 66 and a 137 total to earn his second career Wyoming Junior Amateur Championship after also winning in 2009. That was good enough for a three stroke victory over Reed, who also posted a low score with his round of 68 and a 140 total. Balling fired a second round 77 to take third place overall.

The 15-year-olds who went low on day one fell out of the race for the overall title as Allen and Reed pulled away from the field but they still had a battle of their own for the 13-15 age division title. Green and Murdock both finished with totals of 152, so they headed out to the 10th hole for a playoff, their second playoff in as many tournaments as they had a playoff in Laramie just two weeks ago. The par 3 was playing about 200 yards and Murdock hit a wood to the back fringe while Green hit a long iron just short of hole high. Murdock lagged his birdie putt from the fringe to within inches of the hole and tapped in for par. Green got aggressive with his birdie putt, hitting it about 6 feet past the hole and then missed the come backer for par, leaving Murdock with title.

On the girl’s side, Haley Shackelford jumped out to a big lead after round 1, firing an 83, 8 shots clear of her closest competitor. She outlasted her sister Jandey’s day 2 comeback to beat her by four strokes. Jandey’s effort was enough to win the girls 13-15 division. Amanda Hinchey of Casper finished third overall and second in the 13-15 division. Blake Marquardt and Ashlyn Pearson rounded out the top 3 in the 16 and over division.

Dallas Millin continued his fine summer with his third consecutive victory in the boy’s 10-12 division. He shot a 44 in the first round to take a four stroke lead over Ben Cole while Alec Richardson and Kirby Coe-Kirkham were one more stroke back. Millin pulled away from the field with a 40 on day two to win by six strokes over Coe-Kirkham’s solid 41. Richardson took third place after a 44 in round two.

The boy’s 7-9 division had a three player battle for the title as Brock Bomar, Hardy Johnson, and Ben Cole battled over the two days with Bomar ultimately emerging victorious, Johnson taking second, and Cole finishing third.

The girl’s 10-12 division has had an awesome summer with three girls from Sheridan, Peyton Bomar, Victoria Owings, and Kayla Allen, continually battling with what seemed like a different winner every week. This week, Owings took the title by only one stroke over both Allen and Bomar. Owings was three strokes behind Allen and one behind Bomar heading into the final round but was able to make up those deficits on her way to victory. Flora Cole played with those three girls both days as she captured the title in the 7-9 division.

The WSGA would like to recognize 12-year-old Caleb Decroo of Thermopolis for being the only competitor to play in every WJGT event this summer. Not only did he accomplish that feat, but we also want to commend him for realizing he signed an incorrect scorecard in round 1 of the tournament and notifying the staff when he realized it. Due to the Rules of Golf, Caleb was disqualified from the tournament but he still came back for round 2 and hit arguably his best shot of the entire summer on the first hole at Cheyenne Country Club, a 260 yard drive straight down the center of the fairway. It was a very mature thing to do and we hope other competitors can admire and learn from Caleb’s actions.

The WSGA would like to thank all competitors for a great season and looks forward to seeing all the juniors next summer and would like to wish the best of luck to our competitors who are heading to college this fall as well as our high school golfers heading into their fall season. We would also like to congratulate all flight winners and thank all volunteers for their support.

Podlesny Wins 89th Wyoming
Women’s Amateur Championship

Emily Podlesny of Green River fired steady rounds of 73-76-78 for a two stroke victory on the 5,502 par 74 Casper Country Club layout. There were five competitors tied for second with totals of 229 as nearly every player in contention entering the final round was in the mix for the title at the end of the round on Sunday. Podlesny’s title is the second for her family, as her sister Kelsey captured the 2009 Women’s Amateur Title at Paradise Valley Country Club. She began the tournament with a 1 under par round of 73, grabbing a share of the lead with Jessi Waring. She continued her solid play in round two, building a two stroke lead over defending champ Miranda Bandemer of Laramie, heading into the final round. She was able to hold off back nine charges from five different competitors on her way to a 78 in the final round. Podlesny will be heading to Portland State to play golf this fall as she begins her college career.

The five way tie for second place included Bandemer, Waring, Emily Woodard, Brandi Holmes, and Afton Balling. Balling shot the low round of the tournament with a 2 under par 72 in the final round. That included a stretch of five consecutive birdies on the back nine to get her into contention. Bandemer played in the final group on both Saturday and Sunday as she shot rounds of 75-76-78. Waring, the 2008 champion, was the only other golfer to break par in the first round as she was tied with Podlesny. Woodard’s low round of the tournament was an even par 74 in the first round. She will head to Laramie to begin her freshman campaign on the golf team for the University of Wyoming. Brandi Holmes of Cody shot the low round on day two as she fired a 1 under par round of 73. Seventeen year old Haley Shackelford, of Gillette, carded six birdies in the final round on her way to a 1 under 73.

In the first flight, Layne Sheridan got hot over the weekend as she shot 83 on Saturday and 80 on Sunday to win by 12 strokes. Donna Cleveland whose low round was an 87, and Brenda Austin, who shot 83 on Saturday, tied for second. Local Karen Hayden, this year’s recipient of the Peggy Buss Sportswoman Award, ran away with the title in the second flight behind rounds of 87-90-90. She was sixteen strokes clear of Karen Hinchey and Carol Butler in second place. The third and final flight had another runaway champion, as Bonnie Peden played consistent golf throughout the championship to earn a 20 stroke victory. Kerry “Stretch” Blount grabbed second place.

The WSGA would like to thank Casper Country Club and their entire staff for all of their cooperation and assistance throughout the event, and would also like to thank all the players. Click here for Scores

WJGT Competes at Laramie in
Second To Last Tournament of 2011

The Wyoming Junior Golf Tour travelled to Jacoby Golf Club in Laramie on July 25th and 26th as 40 junior golfers put their skills to the test in the Southeast Regional.

The boys 16 and over division had a tight battle as three golfers headed to the final nine within three strokes of each other. Kegan Brenner was able to grind out a round of 6-over par 77 to compliment his 1 over 72 in the first round. That gave him a two stroke victory over Stephen Grandpre, who shot 74-77. Aaron Nirider rounded out the top 3 with back to back rounds of 78.

The boys 13-15 division had one of the most exciting and tight battles all summer as Nathan Green and John Murdock IV were tied at 11 over par 153 after the 36 holes of regulation. Green used the strength of a day two round of 73 for that total while Murdock shot consistent rounds of 78 and 75. The two started their playoff on the first hole and each made pars on the first three playoff holes. Green eventually secured the victory with a birdie at the par 3 fourth with a birdie. Thomas Rupp finished in third with a 160 total.

Dallas Millin was victorious for the second straight week in the boys 10-12 division. He fired rounds of 44 and 41 to run away with a nine stroke victory over both Alec Richardson and Kirby Coe-Kirkham, who both finished with totals of 94 to tie for second place.

On the girls side of things, Blake Marquardt played steady golf over the two days on her way to rounds of 89 and 90 as she captured the 16 and over division.

Kristen Day and Ali Stark battled in the 13-15 division with Day ultimately pulling out the victory. She rallied for a round of 99 on day two to grab the victory.

Two young girls came to Laramie to compete in the nine hole tournament, with Joanna Stark as part of the 10-12 division and Taylor Bandemer in the 7-9 division. They battled for the two days as Joanna fired 98 and 112 while Taylor was just a few back with rounds of 100 and 116.

The final stop on this summer’s WJGT schedule will be in Cheyenne on August 8th and 9th as the state’s finest will battle for the title of State Junior Amateur Champion. The WSGA looks forward to seeing the junior golfers compete one last time and wishes the best of luck to all competitors as they prepare for the championship.

Cremer Goes Low in Second Round, Wins
Junior Tour Northeast Regional

Many of the state’s finest junior golfers travelled to Bell Nob Golf Course in Gillette on July 18th and 19th to battle for the titles in their respective age groups at the Wyoming Junior Golf Tour’s Northeast Regional.

Chris Cremer led the way in the boys 16&Over age group, following up his first round 76 with a very impressive 3-under par 69 which included an eagle at the par 5 seventh hole on his way to a 4-under 32 on the front nine. His total of 145 was good enough for a seven stroke victory and his first career WJGT victory. Cremer looks to continue his solid play as he will take his game to Evergreen, CO July 27th-29th as one of Wyoming’s four representatives at the 2011 Junior America’s Cup. Taylor Reed took second place with a total of 152 after testing his game at the Wyoming Amateur over the weekend, finishing an impressive tie for eleventh. Austin Hinchey rounded out the top three with rounds of 78 and 77 for two round total of 155.

Quintin Pope, who will join Cremer at the Junior America’s Cup next week, captured the 13-15 age group after bouncing back from a first round 83 with a steady 78 in the second round for a 161 total, four clear of the next competitor. Thomas Rupp shot 81-84 to take second place while Jack Mavrakis carded rounds of 83-84 to take third place.

Haley Shackelford, who will represent Wyoming at the Girl’s Junior America’s Cup at Genoa Lakes Golf Club in Nevada July 25th-28th, won the Girls 16&Over division after a very solid showing where she fired rounds of 79 and 81, totaling 160. Ashlyn Pearson, who will also compete with Shackelford in Nevada, took second place, while Tess Mitchell rounded out the top three.

The trend of Junior America’s Cup representatives winning their flights this week continued in the girls 13-15 age group, as Amanda Hinchey shot rounds of 83 and 91 to win the flight. She will be joining Shackelford and Pearson for the select team event. Jandey Shackelford finished second behind Hinchey.

Players who are 12 and under competed on Bell Nob’s Wee Links Course, a nine hole short course, this week. The juniors played the course twice each day, with a par of 56, including eight par 3’s and one par 4 on each side.

Twelve year old Dallas Millin led the scoring with rounds of 63 and 64 to win the boy’s 10-12 age group by five strokes over Alec Richardson. The highlight of Richardson’s tournament, however, was his eagle on the par 4 sixth hole in his second round on the way to a 65 following his 67 in the first round. Caleb Decroo, one of the only competitors who has competed in every event so far this year, finished in third place, while Korbin Hinkle took fourth.

In the boy’s 7-9 year old age group, Brock Bomar and Hardy Johnson continued their rivalry as Hardy took a one stroke lead after the first round with a 70. However, Bomar played outstanding in the second round on his way to a 62 and an eleven stroke victory.

Three young girls have been evenly matched and battling all summer in the girl’s 10-12 age group. This week, Kayla Allen emerged victorious after heading into the second round tied with Victoria Owings. Allen fired an 80 in the second round while Owings finished five back with an 85, while Peyton Bomar took third place after a solid 84 in round two.

The WJGT will travel to Laramie for the Southeast Regional on July 25th and 26th and then will conclude with the State Junior Championship in Cheyenne on August 8th and 9th. The WSGA looks forward to these final two events and would like to thank all competitors and parents for making the event a great time.

Stewart Holds Onto Lead,

Claims First Career Wyoming Amateur Title

Jackson’s Eddie Stewart kept the ball in play and made putts when they counted on his way to a four under par 68 in the final round and a four stroke victory over Cody’s Clinton Boutelle to earn the title of 2011 Wyoming Amateur Champion.

The Golf Club at Devil’s Tower played at a lengthy 6,936 yards, however the biggest challenge of the course was avoiding the native rough, which all but guaranteed a bogey or worse for competitors who hit into it. The leaders credited their solid rounds to keeping the ball in play, which separated them from the rest of the field.

Stewart took a two stroke lead over Buffalo’s Casey Ruff into the final round while Boutelle was four back. He immediately made it clear that beating him would take a low round as he carded an eagle on the par five first hole to build his lead and create a cushion for him to work with. The three played steady on the front nine as Stewart made the turn at one under for the day and seven under for the tournament, Boutelle at two under and three back for the tournament, and Ruff at one over and four back for the tournament heading into the final nine.

Boutelle threatened on the back nine, carding two birdies and no bogeys on his way to a bogey free round of 68, however Stewart shined with a three under 33 on the back nine for a final round 68. Boutelle was in striking distance all afternoon until Stewart ultimately got out of reach when he stuck his approach shot to two feet for a tap in birdie on the difficult par four 17th hole.

Stewart tapped in for par on eighteen to close the tournament and claim the coveted title. The victory also earned him a spot in the prestigious Pacific Coast Amateur Championship in Truckee, CA at the end of July.

Ruff shot a 75 in the final round to finish in third place. John Hornbeck of Saratoga, who captured the 2011 State Match Play Championship, bounced back from an opening round 75 with back to back rounds of one under 71 on the weekend to finish in fourth place while Laramie’s Eric Parish shot consistent rounds of 74-76-72 to round out the top five.

In the first flight, Cobie Lunsford of Evanston and Morgan Splichal of Sheridan separated themselves from the rest of the field and battled to the finish. Lunsford emerged with a one stroke victory behind rounds of 73-80-76. He was seventh in the overall while Splichal was eighth with rounds of 76-79-75.

Gillette’s Eugene Routledge won the second flight by a six stroke margin over Cheyenne’s Ken Kranz while Gillette’s Rich Gleason was one more stroke back. Routledge fired rounds of 76-80-76.

In the third and final flight, Larry Parker of New Castle came out on top after firing 82-86-84. He was two strokes ahead Huntley’s Jeff Jones and seven ahead of Buffalo’s Ron Burr.

Juniors Post Low Scores at Sheridan Country Club

The Wyoming Junior Golf Tour’s mountain regional event took place at Sheridan Country Club on July 11th and 12th and the junior’s showed the state’s depth with three players posting under par rounds and numerous other’s coming close to the mark in the two day tournament.
Leading the way in the boy’s 16-19 division was Sheridan’s Kamrin Allen, with spectacular rounds of 65 and 66 for a 13 under 131 total, a WJGT record. Kamrin hopes to keep his game at that level as he heads to Washington for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship later this week. Jace Rader, another Sheridan local, bounced back from a 77 in round one to post an impressive 3 under par 69 on day two to take second place in the division with a total of 146. The depth of golf in Sheridan showed with the 3rd and 4th place positions being taken by locals as well, with Taylor Reed at 149 (74-75), and Cole Smith at 151 (73-78).
However, the second best overall total in the tournament belonged to Gillette’s Danny Davis, competing in the 13-15 age division. He posted a 3 under par 69 on day one and followed that great round up with a 75 for an even par 144 total. Pax Mitchell continued his consistent play this summer with a two day score of 158 to secure second place in the age group. Quintin Pope rounded out the top 3 with a 161 total after a 78 on day two.
Alec Richardson won the 10-12 age division, as he backed up his first round 40 with a steady 44 in the second round. His score of 84 was five clear of Dallas Millin in second place and seven clear of Jared Edeen in third place.
In the 7-9 age group, Brock Bomar’s impressive 9 hole rounds of 40 and 39, totaling 79 strokes, were enough to capture the title. Elijah Cole, was seond place in the division at 111.
On the girl’s side, Haley Shackelford grabbed the title with matching rounds of 9 over par 81 for a two day total of 162. That put her out of reach of Kayzanne Graney, who finished in second place with rounds of 91 and 92 while Ashlyn Pearson took third following rounds of 88 and 97.
Haley’s sister Jandey Shackelford captured the 13-15 age division after firing rounds of 94 and 96. Sydney Gunn took second place, 11 strokes back, behind rounds of 95 and 106.
The 10-12 age division saw Victoria Owings and Peyton Bomar battle throughout the two days, with Owings finally emerging on top with a 2 stroke victory. She fired rounds of 46 and 52 for an aggregate score of 98 while Bomar shot 49 and 51 for a total of 100.
Flora Cole made her first WJGT event a memorable one as she won the girl’s 7-9 division behind rounds of 97 and 85. She looks forward to travelling to more tournaments with her three brothers.
The junior tour will visit Gillette and Laramie before concluding in Cheyenne for the Wyoming Junior Championship on August 8th and 9th. The WSGA looks forward to the three remaining events and wants to thank all volunteers and Sheridan Country Club for their efforts.

Three Person Championship Concludes in Worland

The WSGA hosted the state Three Person Championship at Green Hills Golf Club in Worland on July 2nd and 3rd. Two teams were crowned champions, with the trio of Jeff Vail, Tony Douzenis, and Mike Bundren winning the men’s flight while the family of Eugene Routledge, Sandi Routledge, and Wendi Routledge captured the mixed flight. In the men’s flight, Vail, Douzenis, and Bundren trailed by 1 after the first 18 to the team of Todd Van Rensselaer, Scott Bates, and Joe Hunter, who fired an impressive 13 under par 59. However, 5 other groups finished at 61, so all teams in the flight knew they would have to go low on the second day to secure the title.
Vail, Douzenis, and Bundren did just that, firing a 16 under par score of 56, the lowest round of the tournament, bringing their two day total to 28 under 116. That was good enough to beat Van Rensselaer, Bates, and Hunter by three strokes, as they posted a 60 on day two.
The Routledge team came to Worland with a target on their back, as they had won the previous two mixed flight titles in 2009 and 2010. They had to battle back for the victory as another family trio, Billy, Rick, and Jenny McElroy, navigated the Green Hills layout to an 11 under par 61 to lead by three strokes over the Routledge’s and a third family trio, Brad, Cindy, and Todd Cheney, with each family shooting an 8 under 64.
However, the Routledge’s answered back on day two, scorching the course for a 13 under 59, the lowest round in the mixed flight of the entire tournament, bringing their total to a 21 under 123. That put them four clear of their next closest competitors, the Cheney’s, who shot 63. This clinched their third consecutive mixed flight title, proving the Routledge’s are the team to beat in the mixed flight for years to come.
The WSGA thanks all competitors and looks forward to seeing everyone at future WSGA events.
Click here for Final Results (Click Here for PDF Copy)

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Juniors Battle in WJGT Central Regional

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WJGT Stops at Kemmerer

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Hornbeck Captures First WSGA Individual Title at Match Play

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Juniors Kick Off WJGT Schedule in Cody

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2011 WSGA Champion Entries Open May 2nd

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