STATESBORO – Frederick Chappell of Bogart, a soon-to-be Columbus State University golfer, shoots a bogey-free back nine to claim the 59th Georgia Junior Championship! Forest Heights Country Club hosted the 54-hole event, which was played June 17-19.
Entering the final round Wednesday, Chappell was three shots behind (-1) day two leader Cole Stockard (-4). Starting off hot on the front nine, he posted three birdies with only one bogey. Although a great start for Chappell, a consistent and aggressive back nine was needed to take home the trophy.
Heading to the back nine, Chappell posted a bogey-free nine holes along with a birdie on No. 14 to approach the top of the leaderboard. Heading to the par-5 18th hole, he would need a par to stay in the lead. Although parring the 18th in both previous rounds, he would find his 3rd shot in the greenside bunker. With a great bunker shot, Chappell was able to get up and down for the par.
Starting in the penultimate group on Wednesday morning, Chappell would have to look on to see if his spot would hold on top of the leaderboard. Stockard, needing a birdie on 18 to force a playoff, bogeys the final hole, leading to the winner of the 59th Georgia Junior Championship, Frederick Chappell (71-72-69). With the victory, Chappell earns a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship later this summer at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Although this tournament crowned a champion, there was more up for grabs than just the trophy. The eight players who finished atop of the leaderboard would qualify for the Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match at Reynolds Lake Oconee (National Course), July 27-28. This annual match showcases some of the best junior players in each state.
The eight players to qualify for Team Georgia are: Frederick Chappell, Griffin Garvin, Bear Dollander, Christopher Dedman, Cole Stockard, Bryant Vail, Kai Marko, and Cole Isbell. All eight players would shoot under par to earn their spot. Three alternates were named as well. 1st alternate William Easterlin, 2nd alternate Drew Williams, and 3rd alternate Ryan Glover. Congratulations to these young men for earning their opportunity to represent the State of Georgia.
For full results from the championship, including a photo gallery, click the links below!
We also want to extend a special thank you to our friends at Turtleson for supporting the Georgia Junior Championship!