After a 40-minute rain delay at the Draper Valley Golf Course on June 20, Blue Ridge Junior Golf Tour participants trudged through the soggy turf, smiling as they finishes up the second stop on the trail.
The popular course just north of the Wythe County line held up despite the tough conditions.
Named after title sponsor, BRJGT board member and rules official Steve Lilly, the tournament was the second in a series of seven events providing the opportunity to demonstrate deft skill in the sport, but more, serving as a platform to practice and develop sportsmanship and character skills, traits necessary for good citizenship in any community.
“Playing in the adverse conditions was really a good opportunity to practice performing when surroundings aren’t ideal,” said director of tour operations Dewayne Belcher. “Rather than gripe about the weather, the players had to adjust and attempt to do their best.”
Wytheville was well-represented in the youngest group, the 9 and under ages, who played a par 34, 1,669-yard course in Draper.
Colton Caudill of Wytheville finished first, shooting a 40. Tillman Evans of Radford carded a 44 to finish second, and Wytheville’s Silas Edmonds claimed third place with an 11-over par performance.
In the second-to-youngest group, also playing a par 34 but on a 2,119-yard course, Seth Alba of Blacksburg emerged victorious, carding a 39. Alba had only pars and bogeys on his scorecard allowing him to win by two shots over four other players. Second in the 10-12 age grouping was shared by a foursome who all shot 41s on the course. They were Graham Camp of Roanoke, Liam Smith of Elliston and Adrian Wallace and Josiah Underwood, both of Floyd.
The 13- and 14-year-old age group worked on a 5,467-yard course with a par 72. Glade Spring golfer Brody Thomas took the win there, coming in at seven over par. Second place was a tie with Evan Singleton of Pulaski and Tyler Stover of Beckley, West Virginia, each one stroke behind Thomas.
Things were even closer in the 15- and 16-year-old age group, playing on a par 72, 6,412-yard course.
Ryan Highfield of Blacksburg claimed the win with a sudden death playoff on the third hole victory over Harris Camp of Roanoke.
Highfield and Harris posted scores of 77 before heading to the play-off. After making pars on the tricky 10th and difficult 11th holes, Highfield emerged the victor with another par on 12. Isaiah Cantrell of Floyd and Rocky Frye of Bramwell, West Virginia, tied for third with scores of 83.
Grace Addison of Abingdon shot an impressive round of 1 under par 71 to win the 17- and 18-year-old age group. The soon to be Radford University Highlander birdied to out of the first three holes and then made 15 consecutive pars to take the title by nine shots.
The age group played a par 72, 6,846-yard course.
“I had fun with challenge of the wet conditions,” Addison said. “It was a day when you can’t be too hard on yourself, so I just tried to stay positive.”
Making 15 consecutive would prove that she did stay positive.
Ryne Bond of Floyd finished second with a score of 80. Bond made the turn at 1 under 35 but had some misfortune of the inward nine that proved to be the difference. Brody Shull of Radford was third at 83.
Up next for the tour, on Monday, June 26, the golfers will be in Bluefield, Virginia, playing at the Fincastle. On Thursday, June 29, the tour stops at the Wytheville Golf Club.
