Alexandria, LA: The Gulf States Junior PGA Championship took place at OakWing Golf Club on Tuesday, June 8th-Wednesday, June 9th. Seventy-seven players competed in the event.
Emerson Blair took the girls 13-15 and overall girls division with an outstanding score of 74-69—143! Avery Weed (75-69—144) won the playoff against Katelynn Altese (70-74—144) in the overall girls division to claim second place. Based on their first and second place finish in the Overall Girls Division of the Gulf States Junior PGA Championship, Emerson and Avery will be advancing to the 45th Girls Junior PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday, July 27th – Friday, July 30th, 2021. Coming in fourth place for the overall girls was Liza Lapeyre with a score of 75-72—147. Avery Weed and Katelynn Altese also tied for first in the girls 16-18 division. Liza Lapeyre came in third.
The boys 16-18 and overall boys division featured the same top five players. Miles Merlin (70-70—140) took the first-place title after a playoff against Noah McWilliams (73-67—140). Miles and Noah will represent the Gulf States PGA at the 45th Boys Junior PGA Championship which will take place at Kearney Hill Golf Links in Lexington, Kentucky on Monday, July 12th – Thursday, July 15th, 2021. Patrick Blaum was third with a score of 72-70—142. Rounding out the division in fourth and fifth place respectively after another playoff was Karsten Bryan (70-73—143) and Walker Wise (73-70—143).
In the girls 13-15 division, Mattie Purgahn took second place with a score of 74-74—148. Sophia Macias came in third place with a score of 78-82—160.
Bruce McClung won the boys 13-15 division with 71-74—145. Eli Walker took second in the division with a score of 75-73—148. Tying for third were Drew Sliman (79-75—154) and Dakota Cunningham (79-75—154).
Hudson Greene won the boys 12 and under division with an eighteen-hole score of 31-29—60. Jayden Williams placed second with a score of 34-32—66. Kaitlyn Burnett won the girls 12 and under division with an eighteen-hole score of 37-45—82.
Special thanks to all the junior golfers who participated in our Championship! The Gulf States Section would also like to thank the entire staff at OakWing Golf Club, including PGA General Manager Craig Campo, PGA Head Golf Professional Robbie Gueringer, and Head Superintendent Kyle Swart.
View our entire tournament schedule at gspga.com.