Drescher, Anderson, Carter, Arnzen Stamp Their Tickets to Jr. PGA Championship
Perfect summer weather cast rays of sunshine on brilliant play by four of the Rocky Mountain Section PGA’s best Junior players. Luke Drescher from Boise, ID, and Justin Anderson from Idaho Falls, ID, lead the way for the boys, and Cara Carter from Eagle, ID, and Ella Arnzen from Boise, ID, dusted the field to earn their spots in to the 49th Boys & Girls Junior PGA Championships coming up the end of July at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex on the campus of Purdue University.
Drescher’s 67-70=137, 7-under-par total, eased his way through the tournament earning a 5-shot RMSPGA Jr. Championship victory. A three-way tie for second however, brought about a playoff to determine the second qualifier in to the national event. Justin Anderson’s birdie putt on the first playoff hole was the only one of the three attempts that fell to punch his ticket. Anderson, Mason McGee and Jacob Goodson, both from Boise, ID, all finished at -2 for the championship.
The Girls side saw Cara Carter of Eagle, ID, capture the hardware with a 2-under-par total of 142. Her rounds of 72-70 inched by Boise’s Ella Arnzen who clicked off two smooth rounds of 73-70 to earn her way to the big dance. Danika Humphries of Twin Falls, ID, was alone in third place 6-shots back.
Part of this championship involves a 13-15 year-old division for both Boys and Girls. Congratulations to Lucy Haddock, Jayden Parker and Zoe Moore for their 1,2,3 finish on the Girls’ side and also to Jacob Goodson, Wyatt Williams, and Andy Metzler for their Gold, Silver, and Bronze performances. Just for the record, Andy earned 3rd place honors after a scorecard playoff with Korben Kowitz and Nash Dancer who all shot 2-over-par totals of 146.
The Rocky Mountain Section PGA would like to thank host PGA Professional Alex Nixon, his staff, and the welcoming members of Jerome Country Club in Jerome, ID, for their wonderful hospitality and willingness to host our most significant Junior Championship. Thanks is also sent to Gatorade for keeping all of our players hydrated!
Good luck to all of the qualifiers, congratulations to all the medalists and we’re all rooting for you in Indiana next month!