Benjamin Griffin of Chapel Hill defeated Elliott Grayson of Shelby, 3 & 2 Thursday afternoon in Charlotte, to advance in golf's 44th N.C. Junior Championship.  Griffin, the 2011 4-A high school champion, was to face Stanhope Johnson Jr. of Greensboro today.

Johnson defeated defending champion Carter Page of Waynesville 5 & 4 in their Thursday morning match.  Johnson, a rising high school senior, then advanced to the semifinals by defeating Tanner Owen of High Point on the 19th hole at Pine Island Country Club.

 Dylan Harris of Southern Pines and Victor Wiggins of Gastonia were in the other semifinal.

In the girls’ division, Emily Brooks of Chapel Hill defeated stroke-play medalist Emily Pagrabs of Wilmington 4 & 3 to reach the quarterfinals.  Brooks was then beaten by Kayla Sciupider of Etowah 6 & 5.

All four golfers from Chapel Hill competing in the CGA’s N.C. Junior Championships have made it through stroke play and advanced to the match play rounds.
Benjamin Griffin fired a 1-under-par 71 in the qualifier Tuesday at Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro to tie for 13th in the boys championship. Young Michael Hocker II carded a 75 to tie for 55th.
On the girls’ side, Cedar Ridge’s Casey Ward shot an 80 and Northwood’s Emily Brooks 82 to tie for 14th and 22nd, respectively.
The top 32 girls and top 63 boys advance to the match play portion of the championship at Forest Oaks.