CHAPIN, SC (Dec. 3, 2022) – 75 junior golfers descended upon Timberlake Country Club for the first round of the Players Series at Timberlake on Saturday morning.
Players Series Links: First Round Scores (Boys Division) | First Round Scores (Girls Division) | Final Round Tee Times
Blustery, rainy conditions eventually gave way to clear, blue skies at the end of the round. The tricky Timberlake layout showed its teeth on Saturday, with only two competitors posting rounds under par.
In the boys 13-18 contest, Chase Cline of Chapin used his local knowledge to vault into first place after carding a three-under par round of 68.
He will be joined in the final pairing on Sunday morning by Owen Atkinson of Columbia, who sits in second place at one-under par 70, and Florence’s Matthew Parker in a tie for third place at even-par 71.
Michael Gavin of Hilton Head Island and Blake Bocelli of Mount Pleasant also join Parker in a tie for third place, three strokes back of Cline’s lead.
The girls 13-18 division is sure to be hotly contested on Sunday afternoon, with Londyn Rath of Spartanburg and Reese Richardson of Aynor sitting in a tie atop the leaderboard at 15-over par 86.
Eileen Zeoli of Fort Mill rounds out the final pairing one stroke behind the leaders.
The final round of the Players Series at Timberlake is set to begin at 8:30 A.M. on Sunday, December 4.
About the SCJGA Players Series
Players Series events will be included in the Heritage Classic Foundation Rankings. The Players Series is uniquely designed with its own separate rankings system, which will reward players based on end of the year final standings. All Players Series events will be included in the separate rankings, as well as all state-wide SCJGA One-Days such as the President’s Day One-Day.
The year-long points race will give all Players Series competitors the opportunity to earn exemptions into the SCJGA’s 2023 major championships, excluding the Bobby Chapman Junior Invitational. The top finisher in the boys and girls standings at the end of 2022 will be “fully-exempt” into all SCJGA 2023 major championships. Full exemption earns players the right to compete in high-profile Championships such as the Sea Pines Junior Heritage, the Blade Junior Classic and the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea. Other exemptions into SCJGA majors will also be awarded to players depending on final Players Series Rankings and SCJGA majors exemption availability.
In addition to the year-long points race which rewards long term commitment to the series, immediate rewards will also be given to 2022 Players Series Champions. Champions of each 2022 Players Series event will earn exemptions into all future 2022 Players Series events, as well as exemption status into the 2022 Upstate Junior Classic, 2022 Harvey Brock Orange Jacket Classic and 2022 Fall Challenge.
About the South Carolina Junior Golf Association
The purpose of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association is to continue the history and traditions of the ancient game of golf through its members and an active outreach to the youth of our state. Established in 1990 by community leaders with a love for the game and a commitment to passing on golf’s heritage to the youth of South Carolina, the SCJGA is committed to meeting the needs of all young people in the state and providing playing opportunities to boys and girls that might not otherwise have the chance to experience golf and its many benefits. Through affordable opportunities of play, instruction and competition, juniors of all ages, walks of life and skill levels will be touched by the character of the game. It helps to teach them honor, sportsmanship and respect and makes them better prepared to face the challenges ahead in life.
For more information about the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, visit www.scjga.org
