The following is a press release from CCGA:
WEST END, NC - With 2008 winner Michael Marshburn of Cary, NC out of this year's competition, it will be difficult to pick a favorite when the 60th Junior Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association is played July 28-30 at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst.
Last year at the Chechessee Club in Okatie, SC, Marshburn shot 72-69-71--212 to tie Mark Joye of Columbia. Then, on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff Marshburn made a birdie to claim the title.
Michael McGowan of Southern Pines, NC, the No. 2-ranked junior in North Carolina, is certainly a possible choice to succeed Marshburn. McGowan, son of former PGA Tour professional Pat McGowan, won the N.C. Independent Schools 2-A state championship earlier this year.
Third-ranked Andy Knox of Cary, NC, who won the North Carolina Junior Championship in June, is also a strong candidate to become the third straight junior from Cary to win the title. Lee Bedford of Cary won the 2007 crown at Hope Valley CC in Durham, NC.
Other potential champions include Cory Taylor of Greer, SC and Cody Proveaux of Leesville, who rank No. 5 and No.6 in the Palmetto State; Zach Lawing of Lincolnton, NC and Stuart McGoogan of Charlotte, whose 70s led the 10 successful qualifiers at Hidden Valley CC in Gaston, SC on July 20; and Luke Haithcock of Burlington, NC, whose 70 led the 20 successful qualifiers at the CC of Johnston County in Smithfield, NC on July 23.
The 54-hole stroke play tournament will be staged on the CC of North Carolina's famed Dogwood course, which was designed by the late Ellis Maples and opened in 1963. In addition to previously hosting 19 Carolinas Golf Association championships over the years, the club has also been the site of six South Amateur Championships and the 1980 U.S. Amateur. It was recently announced that the 2010 U.S. Junior Girls' Championship will be played on the Dogwood course.
The par-72 course will play at 7,098 yards for the 14-15 and 16-18 age divisions, at 5,906 yards for the 12-13 age bracket and at 5,338 yards for the 11-and-under group.
Trophies are awarded to the overall champion and to the winner, runnerup and third-place finisher in each division. The overall champion and runner-up will be invited to play on the Carolinas team that will compete against a similar team from the Virginias in their annual matches, which will be played Aug. 14-16 at Boonsboro CC in Lynchburg, VA.
The CGA received 310 applications for the championship -- 261 in the 14-18 age groups, 39 in the 12-13 bracket and 10 in the 11-and-under group.
