BLYTHEWOOD, SC—Forty-nine of South Carolina’s bright young stars descended upon Columbia Country Club on Sunday for the SCJGA’s 23rd edition of the Pee Wee Championship. The Lakeside nine’s firm conditions and fantastic weather led to lots of aggressive play, but the margin for error for all players was razor thin on the course’s tricky greens and tight layout.
Girls 8-9 Champion Willa Green 
Boys 8-9 Champion Jack Semeraro 
Girls 10-12 Champion Summer Carey 
Boys 10-12 Champion Owen Atkinson
The Boys 10-12 division was tightly contested from start to finish, as eight players finished within four strokes of champion Owen Atkinson (Columbia), who carded an even-par (72) to take the championship by a single stroke over Ty Childers (Gaffney) and Davis Petty (Spartanburg). Atkinson carded three birdies on his first nine to take a one-stroke lead into Sunday afternoon’s final round, where he continued his solid play. The Columbia native came to his final hole of the day needing only a bogey on the par-4 ninth hole to take the title, and Atkinson lagged his par effort to within tap-in distance to claim yet another SCJGA title.
There was no shortage of fireworks in the Girls 10-12 age bracket, with the top three players all with a chance to win headed to the final hole. Summer Carey (Manning) posted nine-over par (81), which was just enough to hold off runners-up Karsyn Herron (Graniteville) and Mia Carles (Clinton), who each finished at 10-over par (82).
Jack Semeraro (Mount Pleasant) emerged victorious after taking a commanding lead into the afternoon round. An opening 40 left the 2030 graduate a sizable advantage, and he kept the lead all the way to the end, finishing at seven-over par (79), four strokes ahead of runner-up Rilen Kozic (Gaffney). Kozic posted two-over par (38) in the afternoon round, which turned out to be the lowest round of the day in the Boys 8-9 division.
The Girls 8-9 age division was in control from start to finish, as Willa Green (Greenville) would post rounds of 57 and 64 to take home the championship.
The SCJGA would like to extend a special thanks to Columbia Country Club for their hospitality and continued support of the growth of junior golf in South Carolina!
