Claire Hernandez blasts a drive during her victory at Shaker Run.
LEBANON, Ohio – Claire Hernandez overcame cold and wind to earn victory in the largest Midwest region girls field of the year so far at Shaker Run.
Hernandez fired rounds of 77-78—155 to beat Lily Pendy by two strokes and earn four AJGA performance stars.
Hernandez carried a two-shot lead into the final round and never saw that lead go less than three until a bogey on the final hole. Birdies at 3, 10 and 12 helped Hernandez build her lead to as much as five shots, easing the pain of a triple bogey at 12 that in the end would not hurt her.
Pendy claimed sole possession of second place with rounds of 80-77—157 while Tenley Shield finished third at 83-81—164. Ashley Yarbrough fired rounds of 84-86—170 for sole possession of fourth.
Biscaro survives in Boys 15-19
Joe Biscaro fired rounds of 76-79—155 to pull out a one-shot victory over Justin Arens in the Boys 15-19 division at Shaker Run.
Biscaro held a two-shot advantage over Arens and Daniel Wetterich heading into the final round and saw both players draw even with just six holes to play. At the 13th, Biscaro was able to regain the lead despite a bogey there then he reeled off three straight pars to take command and Wetterich struggled and Arens made bogey at 16.
Arens finished at 78-78—156 for sole possession of second place while Tripp French finished strong with a 74 that enabled him to place third, just three shots back.
Matthew Schiller (84-75—159), Matt LeMay (84-75—159) and Ben Sattler (81-78—159) each shared fourth place while Wetterich (78-82—160) fell back to seventh place.
McFarland on top in Boys 13-14
Mitchell McFarland, last season’s Player of the Year in Boys 12-and-Under, fired rounds of 81-79—160 to earn a four-shot win over Patrick Allgeier in the Boys 13-14 division at Shaker Run.
McFarland was able to scrape out 11 pars and a birdie during a final round where big numbers were had all over the place. He enjoyed a three-shot lead over three other players after the first round and none of those three were able to mount a charge and none broke 80.
Allgeier had the best final round in carding four birdies on the day, but two double bogeys and a triple bogey rendered catching McFarland quite difficult. Allgeier finished with rounds of 86-78—164 for second place while Lewis Grant finished alone in third with rounds of 84-82—166.
Haque breaks through in Girls 14-and-Under
Veronica Haque claimed her first GJT win in 12 tries after firing rounds of 85-92—177 in the Girls 14-and-Under division at Shaker Run.
Haque built a nine-shot lead in the first round and was able to add to it, eventually beating Haley Barclay by 12 shots and Sarah Willis by 14.
Haque took control of the tournament in the first round by posting eight pars and eight bogeys for the low round of the event. In the final round, Haque stretched her lead to as much as 13 shots before Barclay pulled within six at the turn. But Haque managed par on five of the first six holes to open the inward nine and maintained a comfortable margin before closing with a birdie on the last hole.
Barclay finished with rounds of 94-95—189 while Willis finished at 94-97—191.
Terlesky notches seventh straight in Boys 12-and-Under
Brian Terlesky fired rounds of 79-73—152 in rolling to a seven-shot win over Trent Tipton in the Boys 12-and-Under division at Shaker Run. The victory was Terleky’s seventh in as many tries on the GJT.
Terlesky held just a one-shot led over Tipton heading into the final round and following bogeys at the third and fourth holes, fell back by a shot. But from holes 8-14 Terlesky took total command by carding four birdies along the way and taking a five-shot lead.
Tipton finished with rounds of 80-79—159 for sole possession of second place while Ben Smith took third with rounds of 84-79—163.