Keegan Ledford's long game helps him take the NSJGA Tournament of Champions by two shots.
By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published July 30, 2003
BROOKSVILLE - Keegan Ledford admits his putting wasn't pretty during the North Suncoast Junior Golf Association's two-day Tournament of Champions at World Woods Golf Club.
His ball striking more than made up for it.
Behind solid drives and accurate approaches, the 17-year-old Hernando senior shot rounds of 75 and 71 on the Pine Barrens Course to win the Boys Advanced 16-18 division by two shots.
His 2-over-par total was the best among the 63-person field.
"I've been practicing pretty hard," Ledford said. "I really wanted to win."
Ledford hit 16 of 18 greens in Monday's first round but needed 38 putts and stood two back of Dade City's Cameron Knight. Tuesday, Ledford played just as well from tee to green but had seven fewer putts, allowing him to overtake Knight, who shot 75.
"This will give me a confidence boost," Ledford said.
Several other locals fared well.
Cody Grey of Spring Hill (Boys Advanced, 13 years old), Zachary Gufford of Inverness (Boys and Girls, 8-9), Nick Kane of Beverly Hills (Boys Advanced, 14), Matt Mullarkey of Crystal River (Boys Advanced, 10-11), Chrissy O'Brien of Lecanto (Girls Intermediate, 13-18), Chris Reagan of Brooksville (Boys Intermediate, 13-18), Zachary Stanley of Inverness (Boys Intermediate, 10-12) and Amy Wheat of Citrus Springs (Girls Intermediate, 10-12) won their respective divisions.
"I putted well the last two days," said Kane, who will be a Lecanto freshman this fall.
Hernando junior Tara Allen, one of the region's most well-known junior players, shot 82-80 to finish second behind Wesley Chapel junior Hana Young (75-79) in the Girls Advanced 10-18 division.
Allen started strong by posting a 1-over 37 on the front then added an eagle-2 by holing a pitching wedge from 92 yards on the 329-yard par-4 11th.
"I saw the ball disappear, but I didn't think it went in," Allen said.
"Then everybody started cheering."
The eagle moved Allen to 1-under, but she couldn't hold on. She was 7-over on the final four holes.
"I played really well. I just finished badly," Allen said. "I lost it."
Players had to finish in the top three of a previous NSJGA event to qualify for the field. The summer league concludes Monday at Black Diamond in Lecanto.
Many players say they have used the tour as a tuneup for the fall high school season.
"I've really improved in the last month," said Citrus sophomore Charlie Hendrick, third in the Boys Advanced 15 division.
"I've been in the 70s a lot more consistently. I'm ready for school."
