PINECREST N.C. -- Logan McCracken of Oklahoma City, Okla., fired a 2-under-par 70 in the final round of the Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Choice Thursday to claim first place in the Boys Division. One of the youngest players in the girls division, 14-year-old Ginger Howard of Bradenton, Fla., was not intimidated by the more experienced competition and carded a 3-over-par 291 to claim the Girls Division title by 5 strokes.
Conducted by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, the Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Classic is the nation’s largest junior stroke-play golf tournament and is being held at the Dogwood Course of the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst. The event features 168 players from 42 states and the field consists of 108 boys and 60 girls ages 12-18. The Boys Division is playing the 72-par Dogwood course at 7,144, while the Girls Division is playing at 6,145 yards.
McCracken notched his first Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Choice victory after leading the field all three rounds. McCracken began the round with bogeys on Nos 6 and 8, which were equalized by his two birdies on Nos 2 and 5. At the turn McCracken was even-at-par, but picked up the momentum and carded birdies on Nos 12 and 14 and finished the day 2-under-par 70 and 8-under-par 280 four the tournament.
“ I was pretty steady all day and wasn’t feeling too nervous,” said McCraken. “This is the biggest win of my career and it feels unbelievable and I couldn’t be more excited.”
In second place, Austin Cook of Jonesboro, Ariz., came from five strokes behind the leader and finished with a 4-under-par 68 for the round. Cook recorded an eagle on No.14, which gave him momentum to finish his round with two birdies on Nos 17 and 18 at 7-under-par 281 for the tournament.
Blake Brown of Scotsdale, Ariz., finished third in the Boys Division at 4-under-par 284. In fourth was Zac Blair of Ogden, Utah, with a t total score of 3-under-par 285. Tied for fifth place Austin Moix of Conway, Ariz., and Andrew Perez of Oxnard, Calif., both at even-par 288.
In the girls division, with two first-place FCWT finishes in her career, Howard won her first Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Choice. Howard was able to keep her lead throughout the day and accredited her steady round to playing it safe. The 14-year-old finished the day with 3-over-par 291 and felt she had not played as well as her previous rounds, but was happy with her success.
“I feel like I’ve made a great statement as a 14-year-old and I feel really good about myself being in first place for the third time this year,” said Howard.
Finishing in second place, Bethany Buchner of Loveland, Colo., who entered the final round five shots behind the leader, posted a hole in one on hole No. 16 and finished 8-over par 296. In third place Alexandra Stewart of Peoria, Ariz., at 9-over-par 297.
Players in the Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Classic hope to follow in the footsteps of past participants including Phil Mickelson, Bob Tway, Justin Leonard, Charles Howell, David Duval, Craig Stadler, Fuzzy Zoeller, Cristie Kerr, Candie Kung and Grace Park.
The Big “I”, formerly the Insurance Golf Classic, began in 1969 as a community service project devised by a group of independent insurance agents. Its goal is to provide young golfers the opportunity to channel their energies into a positive experience, while competing in a sportsmanlike atmosphere. Each year more than 2,000 independent agents volunteer their time and resources to organize and administer the Classic.
The Tiger Woods Foundation, this year’s Big “I” sponsor, was established in 1996 and seeks to empower young people to reach their highest potential by initiating the supporting community-based programs that promote the health, education and welfare of all the American’s children. The foundation has been sponsoring the Big “I” for the past three years and continued its support this year.
