Round one of Sea Island sees numerous tied leaders
Gusting winds and very cold temperatures welcomed the first round of the 2018 SJGT season opener. Coupled with a golf course that has seen rain for the last three days, the weather proved to be a real test for all 90 players in the field. As always, the Retreat Course at Sea Island was in pristine condition – despite the inclement weather of late. Leading the way in the overall male championship are Braden Jones, Jay Beach, Harrison Davis and Harry Jones. Out in front in the overall female championship is Emilia Smith.
Starting with the female 12-14 division and we see the second-lowest female score of the day – Brooke Gober shot an 82 to lead the division. Gober limited the number of mistakes on what was a very difficult scoring day, as well as making a birdie and numerous pars. Liza Lapeyre sits in second place, within the female 12-14 division, after her opening round of 92.
Leading the female 15-19 division is Emilia Smith. With one birdie and eight pars, Smith carded a steady opening round of 81 (+9). Smith also leads the overall female championship by one shot over Gober. Tied for second place are Morgan Jones and Emma Cox. Both players shot 85 and sit four strokes back of the division leader. Cox made numerous pars, as well as a birdie on the difficult par-3 13th hole, in her round of 85. Jones made nine pars in her round and will look to make a charge over the second and third rounds.
Two players sit atop of the male 12-13 division; Edward Stephens and Will Baker both carded rounds of 83. Stephens, a St. Simons Island native, made 10 pars in his round. Baker made eight pars in his round and will look to continue his steady play tomorrow. Brock Blais and Parker Claxton find themselves tied for third in the male 12-13 division after their rounds of 84. Blais and Claxton made three birdies between them, on the par-72 Retreat Course, and will begin tomorrow’s round knowing they are within reach of the leaders.
Moving in to the male 14-15 division and we see one of the four overall male leaders atop the leaderboard. Harry Jones, of Augusta GA, shot a strong round of 74. Jones made just one birdie, but an impressive 14 pars, in his opening round and leads the male 14-15 division. Close behind in second place is Hogan Ingram. Making two birdies and five bogeys in his round, Ingram shot a very good opening round of 75. Sitting in third place in the division is Ian Glanton. Having made three birdies in his round, Glanton concluded with an eight-over round 80.
Braden Jones, Jay Beach and Harrison Davis lead the way in the male 16-19 division having all shot rounds of 74. Beach found himself under par for his first 14 holes and, despite a tough finish, co-leads the male 16-19 and overall male championship. Braden Jones made two birdies on the front nine in his 74. Having made only four bogeys, Jones will be confident heading in to the final two rounds of play. Also with a 74 is Harrison Davis of Fort Payne, AL. Davis made three birdies in his round, including one at the tricky 18th hole. All three players, as well as Harry Jones, are in a strong position with two rounds to play.
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