Around the Green

Spaulding, Olson, Kingsland Win LJT Jimmy Demaret

LAKEWAY, Texas – Spring’s Matthew Spaulding came from behind to capture his first victory in the Boys 15-18 division at the Jimmy Demaret Junior Classic. He shot even-par 72, to win by one stroke at the Hills Country Club’s Live Oak course.

Abilene’s Maddi Olson captured her first LJT victory after posting an even-par 144 tournament total in the Girls 12-18 division. Zachary Kingsland posted a second under-par round to run away with the Boys 14 & Under division for his second straight LJT victory.

Nestled in the hill country with views of Lake Travis, the Live Oak course at The Hills Country Club winds through the Lakeway neighborhoods and features narrow fairways with small, turtleback greens that challenge players. This is the first time the Live Oak course hosted a Legends Junior Tour event. The course played 6,717 yards for the Boys 15-18 division, 6,234 yards for the Boys 14 & Under division and 6,076 yards for all girls.

Spaulding, playing in the second to last grouping, played consistent golf, carding seven straight pars to open his round before making a birdie on the par-5 eighth. He made a par on the difficult par-4 ninth to go out in 1-under 35. He made bogeys on the par-4 14^th and par-3 17^th before making a closing birdie on the 18^th to edge out two others by one shot.

Sean-Karl Dobson of Austin shot a final round even-par 72 to jump from a tie for ninth to a tie for second place. Temple’s Dallas Hankamer, one of the three first round leaders, shot a closing 3-over 75 to tie for second place also.

Casey Cull shot a 4-over 76 to finish in fourth place. Spicewood’s Hunter McDonough finished in fifth place after a 4-over 76 as well. Felix van Kleef shot the low round of the tournament with a 3-under 69 to jump into a tie for sixth place with Chance Mulligan and Advait Chutke.

Heading into Friday’s final round in the Girls 12-18 division, Olson sat one shot back of Spring’s Madison Freeman. Playing in the same group, they started on the 10^th hole. Both players struggled out of the gate, both carding a double bogey within the first three holes. Freeman continued to struggle, going 6-over on her opening nine.

Olson, on the other hand, carded three birdies in her last four holes on her opening loop to shoot even-par 36. She played consistently from there, shooting a final-round, 1-over 73. Freeman came back on their back nine, shooting a 1-under 35, but couldn’t make up enough ground.

Behind Olson, Elise Parel of Kingwood finished in second place, two shots back at 2-over 146. Freeman finished in third place at 147. Chandler Rosholt finished in fourth and Denise Pan rounded out the top five.

In the Boys 14 & Under division, Kingsland was the only player to post both rounds under par with a 2-under 70 in Thursday’s first round and a 1-under 71 in Friday’s final round. He played a very consistent final round, making only two bogeys with three birdies. He had bogeys on 13 and 14, his fourth and fifth holes of the day. He followed that up with back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 to turn in even-par. He posted one birdie to no bogeys on his back nine to win by 10 strokes.

The current LJT Boys 14 & Under Player of the Year points leader, Keaton Vo, finished tied for second place after a 3-over 75. He tied with Sebastian Moss, who carded a 6-over 78 in Friday’s final round. Carson Ezell finished in fourth place and Grant Yerger rounded out the top 5.  

The Legends Junior Tour’s next event will take place May 5-6 at Brownwood Country Club for the Bluebonnet Championship.

For final results, click here.