NENYPGA golf tour crowns its junior champions

NENYPGA golf tour crowns its junior champions

NENYPGA completes 15th season of events for younger golfers

At least in the Capital Region, junior golfers don't have to travel for hours to find well-organized tournament competition.

The Northeastern New York PGA completed the 15th season of its Junior Golf Tour on Saturday at the Edison Club.

The top 36 players from the summer-long tour were invited, and champions were crowned in six divisions, by age and gender.

Run by NENYPGA executive director Tracie Warner and assistant executive director Doug Evans, the tour offers 14 events under tournament conditions.

Goetz, a sophomore-to-be at Shenendehowa and an Edison member, wrapped up the 13-15 boys' division as he prepares for his second season of varsity.

Evan Sitts won the 16-18 boys' group, shooting a 3-over 75 despite a triple bogey, and may have more appreciation than most for what the NENYPGA provides.

There are other places for juniors to play.

Some of the golfers here are eyeing Hurricane Tour stops next weekend in Hopewell Junction or in the fall at Jackson, N.J., and Victor (Rochester area).The American Junior Golf Association has events nationwide, including one later this month at Harvest Hill in Orchard Park, where Sitts plans to go.

The local Junior Golf Tour has proven to be a good training ground for players to advance.

[...] winning their age divisions were Nicole Criscone of Clifton Park (girls 13-15), Dixon Boggs of Wilton (boys 8-12) and Kennedy Swedick of Voorheesville (girls 8-12).

Final points: 1, Sitts 1,912.50.

A.J. Cavotta (Saratoga Springs) 39-42—81

Final points: 1, Goetz 2,212.50.

Final points: 1, Boggs 1,621.67.

Final points: 1, Diaz 2,170.

Final points: 1, Criscone 2,150.

Final points: 1, Kennedy Swedick (Voorheesville) 2,130.