GAFFNEY, SC (April 23, 2023) – Prime scoring conditions greeted the 81 junior golfers present for Sunday's final round of the Players Series at Cherokee National. 16 players posted rounds of three-over par (75) or better on Sunday compared to only seven on Saturday.
Championship Links: Final Results (Boys) | Final Results (Girls 13-18)
In the Boys 13-18 division, Spartanburg's Casey Kosney entered the final round one stroke behind the leaders. The 2025 graduate played steadily on the front nine and made the turn tied for the lead with overnight co-leader Brooks DeShields (Easley). Kosney carded three birdies on the back nine to go with one bogey, finishing the tournament at one-under par 143 and a four-stroke victory over runners-up DeShields and Ryan Marsden (Myrtle Beach).
2022 Players Series champion Ella Kate Barnett (Galivants Ferry) added yet another first place trophy to her collection on Sunday afternoon. Barnett entered the final round with a two-stroke lead and held off an early charge from eventual runner-up Olivia Ireland (Inman) to finish at six-over par 150 and win by four strokes.
The SCJGA would like to extend a special thanks to Cherokee National Golf Club for their hosting of the Players Series at Cherokee National in addition to their commitment to growing junior golf in South Carolina!
About the SCJGA Players Series
In February of 2022, the South Carolina Junior Golf Association announced a brand-new tournament series called the Players Series that is designed to give junior golfers from South Carolina the opportunity to develop their skills and earn exemptions into future Major Championships hosted by the SCJGA. The Players Series schedule begins with the Fripp Island Junior Challenge in early February and consists of 15 different tournaments by the end of 2023.
All Players Series events are included in the Heritage Classic Foundation Rankings, as well as the year-long Players Series points standings, which will reward players with exemptions into future SCJGA Major Championships based on the standings at the conclusion of the year. All Players Series events are included in the year-long points race, as well as all statewide SCJGA One-Days such as the President’s Day One Day.
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.
