HOT SPRINGS — Lakeside junior Will Gordon predicted Tuesday 1-under-par might make the cut in the Junior PGA Championships at Hot Springs Country Club.
The 17-year-old Gordon is definitely in contention after shooting even par 71 in the first round. He’s five shots back of Owen Bolles of Chandler, Az., who conquered the Arlington course with six birdies and one bogey for 66.
Thirty-five boys shot under par on the first day. There were three 67s, eleven 68s, eight 69s, and twelve 70s.
Bolles had birdies at 1, 2, 8, 10, 14 and 18. His bogey was at the par-4 sixth hole.
Gordon played in the afternoon when the temperature rose to 100 degrees. He scored the second most birdies with five, teeing off the backside to begin with three. Unfortunately for Gordon, the wheels came off at the par-3 second hole where he made double bogey. Gordon birdied his final hole for 71.
Clemente shoots 64 in Junior PGA event
Gianna Clemente of Estero, Fl., is leading the girl’s division after posting a spectacular 7-under 64. She had seven birdies and no bogeys. Still, her lead is only one going into Wednesday’s second round on the Arlington course. The boys play the Park course.
The prestigious tournament features 156 golfers in both divisions, including players from 40-plus states, Canada, China, Thailand, South Africa and Taiwan.
Another interesting note is that 59 colleges are represented at the event by its men’s and women’s coaches.