Event #8 Results

RECOVERY LEADS TO VICTORY FOR BENNETT AND HOWELL

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA -- March 5, 2006

This weekend, Event #8 of the Winternational Junior Series at Pinehurst was contested on two of Pinehurst’s more challenging layouts. In the penultimate event of the twelfth season of this series, Courses No. 4 and No. 6 proved a worthy test. In Saturday’s first round on No. 4, blustery and cold weather gave way to less than optimum scoring conditions, as the membership battled through highs in the 40s and wind gusts of 15-20 miles per hour. In Sunday’s final round on No. 6, sunny skies and higher temperatures led to improved scoring conditions and a competitive finish.

In the Junior/Senior Division, Scott Bennett of Laurinburg, NC secured his first series win with consistent play after a rocky start on Sunday. Bennett started his final round with a nine shot lead, but this was steadily decreased as Kevin MacDonald, of Pinebluff, NC pulled within two shots of the lead through eleven holes. Bennett then gathered himself and finished strong by making par on five of his last six holes as MacDonald fell off the pace. Unbeknownst to Bennett at the time, a charge by Jake Williams, of Midlothian, VA pulled him within four strokes of the lead. Williams, however, needed more than 18 holes to rebound from a 15-shot deficit after the first round and would have to settle for second. In third place was Zach Stenstad from Woodbury, MN

In the Freshmen/Sophomore Division, final round recovery was the theme. The Champion, runner-up and third place finisher each improved upon their first round score by at least 7 shots. Making it three victories in a row, Hunter Howell of Raeford, NC held off Justin Evans, of Spring Lake, NC with a superb final round 73. Beginning Sunday’s round with a four shot cushion, Howell saw his lead cut to three after his second hole, but would push forward playing his final 12 holes at even par. Evans would counter late in the round with a birdie and an eagle in his final five holes, but Howell’s lead would prove insurmountable. With a final round 77, Sam Williams of Midlothian, VA would improve on his first round score to move into third place by one shot.

The Winternational Junior Series at Pinehurst will next convene on March 25-27 when the membership takes on the Fazio designed No. 8 Course and competes in the final event of the twelfth season. For further information, please contact Peter DeYoung at (910) 295-5661 or peter@juniorgolfpinehurst.com.

Event # 8 Complete Leaderboard
Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, NC
Course No.4, 6658 Yards, Par 72
Course No.6, 6542 Yards, Par 71

Pos
1 Hunter Howell (Raeford, NC) 80-73--153
2 Justin Evans (Spring Lake, NC) 84-74--158
3 Scott Bennett (Laurinburg, NC) 77-83--160
4 Sam Williams (Midlothian, VA) 86-77--163
5 Aaron Boggs (Madison, WV) 86-78--164
Jake Williams (Midlothian, VA) 92-72--164
7 Zach Stenstad (Woodbury, MN) 89-76--165
8 Kevin MacDonald (Pinebluff, NC) 86-82--168
9 David Cellura (Penfield, NY) 90-85--175
10 Douglass Johnson (Pinehurst, NC) 92-85--177
11 Drew Thompson (Charlotte, NC ) 88-92--180
12 Phillip Riggsbee (Southern Pines, NC) 95-98--193
13 Brian Whitbeck (Penfield, NY) NC-101

Event # 8 Photo Gallery