MYRTLE BEACH, SC (July 7, 2023) – Sweltering conditions greeted the 84 junior golfers on Friday afternoon for the final round of the Players Series at Myrtle Beach National. The blazing temperatures ultimately gave way to thunderstorms that did not allow the Boys 13-18 division to complete their final round.
Championship Links: Final Results (Girls 13-18) | Final Results (Boys 13-18)
2022 Players Series champion Ella Kate Barnett (Galivants Ferry) added yet another first place trophy to her collection on Friday afternoon. The Galivants Ferry native carded a final round of three-under par (69), making birdies on each of her final two holes. Barnett finished the tournament at five-under par (139), which is the lowest score in the Girls 13-18 division in the history of the Players Series.
Mount Pleasant's Grace Lindsey put together a final round charge to shoot up the leaderboard and take second place in the Girls 13-18 age group. Lindsey finished her final round with a score of four-under par (68) and posted a two-day total score of three-under par (141).
Garrett Gillespie (Williamston) was building on his overnight lead when inclement weather forced the stoppage of play at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, forcing the cancellation of the final round in the Boys 13-18 division. Gillespie was crowned champion after his opening round score of four-under par (68) left him alone at the top of the leaderboard.
After first round scores of two-under par (70), JP Reed (Bluffton) and Blake Bocelli (Mount Pleasant) each claimed runner-up honors.
The SCJGA would like to extend a special thanks to Myrtle Beach National for their hosting of the Players Series at Myrtle Beach 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.
