COLUMBIA, SC-- Cloudy, wet conditions greeted the 83 competitors on Sunday morning for the final round of the Players Series at Fort Jackson on Fort Jackson Golf Club's Wildcat Course.
Championship Links: Final Results (Boys 13-18) | Final Results (Girls 13-18 )| Players Series Point Standings (Boys 13-18 ) | Players Series Point Standings (Girls 13-18)
Luke Johnson (North Augusta) began Sunday's final round in a tie for the lead after carding an opening round of four-under par 68. Johnson played steadily through the first nine holes and caught fire on the back nine, making birdies on four of his last five holes to claim the Boys 13-18 title by four strokes. The North Augusta native finished the tournament at nine-under par 135 to win his second Players Series tournament of 2023 and vault to the top of the Players Series point standings.
Anderson's Erik Erlenkeuser brought home runner-up honors with a two-day total of five-under par 139. Casey Kosney (Spartanburg) took third place, finishing at three-under par 141 for the tournament.
In the Girls 13-18 contest, Myrtle Beach native Savannah Sansom built on her overnight lead to capture her maiden victory on the Players Series. Sansom finished the tournament at two-over par 146, eight strokes ahead of the rest of the field.
Lexi Milbrandt (Hilton Head Island), Ella Kate Barnett (Galivants Ferry), and Karsyn Herron (Graniteville) each finished in a tie for second place at 10-over par 154 for the weekend.
The SCJGA would like to extend a special thanks to Fort Jackson Golf Club for their hosting of the Players Series and 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 .
