NORTH CAROLINA TEENS DOMINATE THIRD EVENT AT THE WINTERNATIONAL JUNIOR SERIES

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA

The Winternational Junior Series at Pinehurst held its third event of the 2007-2008 season this weekend on the two premier courses at the famed Pinehurst Resort.  77 high school aged boys and girls were afforded the pleasure of competing on the historic No.2 course, which has hosted two U.S. Opens, the PGA Championship, and a Ryder Cup among its many championships, and the Tom Fazio No.4 course which he re-routed in 1999.  These two courses will co-host the 2008 U.S. Amateur.
           
The weekend was notable for the 70 degree temperatures which greeted the contestants both Saturday and Sunday.  The Girls Division crowned its third champion in as many tournaments this season.  Katie Kirk, of Davidson, NC, protected her three stroke overnight lead and was victorious by the same margin over Christina Vosters, of Chesapeake City, MD.  Kirk, a freshman at East Mecklenburg H.S., fired a fine 81 on the No.2 course in the first round which was highlighted by three birdies on her final nine holes.  Vosters, a victor in the first event of the season, shot 84-87—171 for runner-up honors.  Caitlyn Morrone, of Pinehurst, NC was third and shot the low round of the second day.The Freshman/Sophomore division went an extra hole in order to crown its champion.  Sam Packard, a Pinehurst, NC resident, made a regulation par on the overtime hole to defeat Jim Liu, of Smithtown, NY, to win his first title.  Packard, a sophomore from Pinecrest H.S., came from three shots back after the opening round.  His three birdies on his final eight holes caught the 12 year-old eighth grader from New York.  In third place and two shots out of the playoff, was Zack Munroe, of Charlotte, NC with an 80-77—157 total.  James Ellis, of Greenville, NC, captured fourth by shooting the low final round of his division, 83-75—158.  Tied for fifth were Charles Valluzzo, of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Daniel Pizetoski, of Davidson, NC.The Junior/Senior Division saw a familiar name atop the leader board once again.  Michael McGowan of nearby Southern Pines, NC, a two-time Winternational Junior Series All-American team member, displayed some amazing shot making through both rounds.  His 71-71—142 total was highlighted by 9 birdies and an eagle in the 36 holes.  McGowan, a two-time U.S. Amateur contestant and quarterfinalist in last year’s U.S. Junior is a former North Carolina H.S. Champion.  Runner-up position was snared by Hunter Howell, who is also a multiple All-American from the Winternational Series.  Howell, of Raeford, NC,  trailed by four shots after the first round but cut the margin to a one shot deficit with four holes to play in the final round.  McGowan then birdied the final three holes for the margin of victory.  Tied for third were John Conners, of Apex, NC and Zach Edmundson, of Morrisville, NC with 150 totals.  Justin Evans, another former All-American, was fifth and Peter Simms, of Greensboro, NC was sixth on the strength of his even par final round 72.

The Winternational Junior Series will hold its fourth event on December 21 through 23.  Play will be contested on the Tom and George Fazio designed, Pinehurst No. 6. 

FULL LEADERBOARD

Junior/Senior Division
Pinehurst No. 2, 6767 yards, Par 72
Pinehurst No. 4, 6658 yards, Par 72

Freshmam/Sophomore Division
Pinehurst No. 2, 6767 yards, Par 72
Pinehurst No. 4, 6658 yards, Par 72

Girls Division
Pinehurst No. 2, 5045 yards, Par 72
Pinehurst No. 4, 5217 yards, Par72

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos will be posted after the completion of play on Sunday.

If you're interested in viewing results from past years, please visit the 2004-2005, 2005-2006, or 2006-2007 results pages.

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.