EDMOND, Okla. -- As was the trend all week, heavy winds dominated play in the final round of the Callaway Golf PGA Junior Series at KickingBird Golf Club in Edmond, Okla. The 6,722 yard par 70 provided a stern test of golf.
Kaitlin Higginbotham of Norman, Okla., fired the round of the tournament to win the girls 16-18 division, with a final round 70 and a three-day total of 220. Trailing by two shots heading into today, Higginbotham used two birdies and 14 pars to post even-par. In the teeth of the week’s worst wind conditions, the highlight came on the par-5 twelfth.
“I made triple bogey and bogey in the first two rounds on hole 12, today I made birdie,” said Higginbotham. “That really got me going and made me think I could do it.”
In the boys 16-18 division, Nathan Hughes of Bartlesville, Okla., shot a 1-over par 71, to finish with a three day total of 219. Hughes trailed leader Colton Staggs of Tulsa, Okla., by six shots entering today’s play. A solid round turned great on the par-4, thirteenth hole.
“I was about 115 yards out, the wind was howling so I had to hit 6-iron,” said Hughes, “and it ended up dropping in the hole for eagle.” Hughes then went on to birdie the par-5 fifteenth and rode his momentum to victory.
In the boys 13-15 division, Connor Kurtz of Edmond, Okla., took first place after firing a 4-over par 74, for a three day total of 220.
“This is definitely the biggest tournament I have ever won,” said Kurtz, “My lag putting was great, which definitely was the reason I won.”
The turning point came at the par-4 fourth. After punching out his second shot, Kurtz struck his 3-wood to ten feet from the hole. From there he converted his par and momentum was on his side the rest of the day.
Rachel Powers of Quincy, Ill., completed her victory in the girls 13-15 division with a final round 78, for a three day total of 234.
“I just wanted to keep it in the 70’s today with this wind,” said Powers. “I definitely have never played in anything like this.” Powers had one birdie and played very steady to accomplish her goal.
The Callaway Golf PGA Junior Series continues June 11-13 with a 54-hole event in Buies Creek, N.C.
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