MAGGIE VALLEY, N.C. (July 10) — Chase Epting of Aiken, S.C., and Kayla Sciupider of Etowah emerged as the top male and female golfers in the 2007 Jane Marville Western North Carolina Junior Championship, held Monday and Tuesday at the Maggie Valley Club.
Epting shot a two-over-par total of 146 to take first place in the boys 15-17 age group, while Andrew Bateman shot 154 to finish second.
Sciupider posted a two-under total of 142 in the girls 15-17 age group. Sciupider’s victory was highlighted by a first-round 68 in which she recorded six straight birdies on holes 9-14. Runner-up honors went to Sarah Wheeler at 156.
In the boys 13-14 division, Cory Sciupider finished first at 155, while Trenton Jones was second at 161. There were no competitors in the girls 13-14 division.
Competition was reduced to nine holes each day for the younger divisions. In the boys 11-12 group, Justin Gonyea captured top honors by shooting 37-35–72, while Tara Simmons won the girls 11-12 division by shooting 37-40–77.
The boys 10-and-under title was decided in a two-hole sudden death playoff, with Wesley Simmons edging Jonathan Rector. Both shot 79. The girls 10-and-under winner was Annika Bovender with an 81.
The tournament drew a field of 52 participants this year following a two-year hiatus while the golf course and clubhouse were being renovated. The tournament had been an annual event since 1988, and tournament chairperson Jane Marville said she hopes to see the event return to its stature as one of the premier junior events in Western North Carolina.
"We felt like this was a very successful tournament," said Marville. "Many of the kids said they enjoyed it and will be back next year."
2007 JANE MARVILLE
WNC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
July 9-10 at Maggie Valley Club
Maggie Valley, N.C.
Final Results
Boys 15-17
Chase Epting 74-72–146
Andrew Bateman 74-80–154
Ross Brown 79-76–155
B.J. Terry 77-78–155
Webb Grubb 78-78–156
Girls 15-17
Kayla Sciupider 68-74–142
Sarah Wheeler 78-78–156
Michaelleah Baxley 79-81–160
Chelsea Clendenin 79-85–164
Stephanie Demetrelis 88-78–166
Maria Stapleton 80-86–166
Boys 13-14
Cory Sciupider 80-75–155
Trenton Jones 80-81–161
Dylan Wyatt 90-89–179
Ryan Pennell 91-94–185
Mike Dunn 93-93–186
Boys 11-12
Justin Gonyea 37-35–72
Andrew Simonsen 39-40–79
Christian Constance 44-39–83
Graham Wells 39-45–84
Jordan Lulich 48-47–95
Girls 11-12
Tara Simmons 37-40–77
Boys 10 and Under
Wesley Simmons 45-34–79*
Jonathan Rector 44-35–79
Matt Simmons 45-37–82
David Simonsen 47-37–84
David Flowers 49-44–93
Girls 10 and Under
Annika Bovender 42-39–81
Callista Rice 62-59–121
* — won on a two-hole playoff
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