Scott Stands the Final Round Test to Become the Champion
Lexington, S.C. – A cool breeze and rain welcomed players in the parking lot as the first groups of the day began the final round of the Heritage Classic Foundation SCGA Junior Championship Presented by Capital City Lake Murray Country. A cell that stationed itself over the Country Club of Lexington lingered throughout the first wave of competitors, but once the second wave and leaders were set to begin, the clouds cleared, providing a chilly, damp and breezy experience.
Entering the day in a tie for the lead, Austin Scott (Daniel Island) and Brandon Masters (Piedmont) were ready to battle for the coveted title of the SCGA Junior Champion. Masters would start the round with a birdie but continued to lose ground over the course of the round, compiling three bogies per side to finish his round at 76 in a tie for 7th place. Scott would use this to his advantage but not until he was able to dunk his approach shot on the par-4 8th hole and move himself into the lead position. Scott would remain consistent throughout his round, only missing a short putt on the par-3 17th hole to slide back into a tie with Hilton Head Island’s JT Herman. Herman launched himself to the top of the leaderboard posting a 1-under par on the front and besting that with a 2-under par performance on the back nine. Just enough to place himself into a play-off for the Championship.
The two would begin on the 1st hole of the Country Club of Lexington as the battle began to crown the 61st champion. Chasing daylight, both Herman and Scott would par the first hole, advancing to the par-4 5th hole where a champion would be decided. Scott split the fairway with a beautiful drive while Herman would unfortunately have to re-tee after a lost ball. Scott would again use this to his advantage, having two putts and the title of the Junior Champion. Scott expressed how much this championship meant to him saying, “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but adding my name to the trophy with so many great players is really special.”
Herman secured the runner-up position and also a spot on the coveted Georgia – South Carolina Team Matches – the longest running junior matches in the country – at the Country Club of Spartanburg in July. Trey Crenshaw (Lancaster), Manning Sloop and Zachary Reuland (Rock Hill) and Matthew Hutton (Blythewood) all qualified for the matches. There was a six-man playoff for the final two spots on the team of the 44th edition of the Matches. Brandon Masters (Piedmont) and Daniel Brasington (Woodruff) would prevail after three playoff holes and multiple chip-offs to fulfill the team.
Bruns Holds on to Capture Title
With a one shot lead going into the final round, Jerry Bruns of Beaufort was able to hold on to capture the champion title of the 13-14 age division, despite a rocky start. Carding a double-bogey and two bogies on the front nine, Bruns bounced back rolling in a clutch putt for birdie on the par-3 11th hole. Bruns kept his one shot lead holding off Adam Hunt of Columbia who fired a final round low in the 13-14 division low even par-72 to slide into the runner-up spot. Hunt climbed the leaderboard, starting the day four back of the leader. Securing third place was Andrew Gregory of Inman who carded a 3-over par, 75 in his final round.
The Heritage Classic Foundation has proudly been a large part of South Carolina Junior Golf in the state for many years. They are the title sponsor of the SCGA Junior Championship, the Junior Golf Rankings and provide pivotal assistance to the Sea Pines Junior Heritage on Hilton Head Island, an event administered by the SCJGA. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Foundation, along with RBC and Boeing, conducts the lone PGA TOUR event in our state. The tournaments help propel the Foundation in their mission to support communities throughout the state. Just last year, the Heritage Classic Foundation donated close to $2.4 million to more 70 charities, with a total of $41 million to date to charities and awarded 332 scholarships for nearly $4.3 million.
Capital City Lake Murray Country, the jewel of South Carolina offers official visitor information for vacation planning, world-class fishing, boating, golf packages and fun and free things to do for the entire family. Lake Murray Country spans from metropolitan Columbia, historic Newberry, rural Saluda and the vibrant and the fastest growing County of Lexington.
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