Shy Goes Back To Back
Hudson Shy (Bogey Hills Country Club) has never been timid about winning and proved it once again by claiming a second-consecutive St. Louis District Golf Association (STLDGA) Hardin Junior Championship on Friday, July 11 at Whitmoor Country Club in suburban St. Charles. The championship was for junior golfers who haven’t reach age 19 by July 10, 2025.
After Thursday’s opening round in the 31-player field of 16-18 year-old competitors, Shy was one stroke back of Cohen Vierling (Whitmoor Country Club) and Nick Halterman (Whitmoor Country Club), who capitalized on their familiarity with their home course to post 69s. But Hudson carded a 72 on Friday, while Vierling faded with four bogeys on the back nine to shoot 76 and finish tied for third with Mack Freeman (Forest Hills Country Club). Freeman was in the hunt, but a bogey at 11, a double at 14 and another bogey at 17 chilled his chances. Meanwhile, Halterman’s second round featured six bogeys, including thee in the first six holes, posting a 77 and falling to fifth.
Runner-up Isaac Kelley (Whitmoor Country Club) was the most consistent performer with back-to-back 72s to finish two strokes back of Shy. The overall champion and runner-up qualify for the Jim Jackson Invitational at Algonquin Golf Club in October.
On Friday, Shy balanced three birdies, including a birdie on 18 to secure the title, against three bogeys. Meanwhile, Kelley couldn’t make up any ground as he also recorded three birdies and three bogeys, including a bogey on 17 that essentially ended his chances.
11-and-Under
The youngest group played 18 holes during the two-day event with Bodie Patton (The Legends Country Club) proving to be the steadiest player as he posted back-to-back 2-over par 38s to grab the title after trailing by a stroke on Thursday. First round leader Neale Grant (Whitmoor Country Club) yielded his one-stroke advantage by slipping to a 43 on Friday to finish runner-up four strokes back. Connor Robson (Greenbriar Hills Country Club) was third, five strokes off the pace.
12-13 Year-Olds
Grant Kapilla (Greenbriar Hills Country Club) built a two-stroke lead through 18 with a two-under-par 70 and hung on with a second round 79 to win by a stroke. Runner-up Anthony Moore (The Legends Country Club) couldn’t capitalize as his second round 78 fell short. Parker Steel (Whitmoor Country Club) was a distant third 14 shots off the pace.
14-15 Year-Olds
Dylan Press (The Legends Country Club) opened play with a 1-under-par 71 on Thursday and ran away from the field, winning by seven strokes with a two-day total of 147. Trailing by three strokes after Thursday, runner-up Kenny Crislip (Lake Forest Country Club) faltered on Friday with an 80 to finish at 154. Jacob Utterback (Westborough Country Club) was third, two behind Crislip.
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