Harwich, Massachusetts. (September 15, 2019)– On a beautiful weekend for golf the Western League defended its Region 1 title at Cranberry Valley Golf Course in the PGA Jr. League Regional Championship presented by National Car Rental.
The Western League, comprised of players from Fairview Farm Golf Course and Watertown Golf Club, began with a rematch from last year’s Regional Championship against the Barnstable All-Stars.
After the first three 3 groups had completed play, the score was 6.0-5.5 with one group to play. The final match came down to Galen Fowles and Annie Dai needing to win their final hole to secure the 6.5-5.5 victory. After Fowles hit his approach shot to 8 feet, the pressure flipped back to Barnstable. As expected, they hit their approach to 10 feet on the same line. After both players on the Barnstable team barely missed their birdie putts, the stage was set for Fowles and Dai to make their putt. Without hesitation, Fowles stepped up and made the putt to propel team CT to a very hard fought victory of 6.5-5.5.
Saturday’s afternoon match played much different for the Western League All-Stars. After getting off to a slow start in the morning match, the script was flipped against the Patriot 128 All-Stars. After winning three of the first four flags of the match, the Western League never looked back and secured a convincing 10-2 victory in the match.
After winning their first two matches, it all came down to Sunday’s match against the undefeated Saratoga All-Stars. Yet another rematch from 2018, the Saratoga team returned eight of their ten players and was looking for redemption. The Western League needed to win the match outright to secure back to back Regional Championship victories.
Even with to back chip-ins on the last hole of the first flag by Saratoga, the Western League still held on to a 3-1 lead in match one. With momentum building, Will Gregware poured in a birdie on the sixth hole to secure his groups second flag giving the Western League a 4-1 lead. Groups two and three for Saratoga won their second flags narrowing the margin to 4-3. After a birdie by Saratoga’s fourth group on the 6thhole to halve the second flag in that match, the lead for the Western League was now 4.5-3.5. With four flags remaining, the Western League needed to win at least two to advance on to the National Championship.
Group one secured their third flag to give the Western League a 5.5-3.5 lead with three groups to play. With group two coming up the 9thhole, a win on the final hole would give the Western League the 6.5 flags they need to advance.
After his using his drive, Brennan Myers hit his approach shot to 15 feet. A birdie would seal the deal. After partner Luke Hoglund barely missed his attempt at birdie, Myers got up and drilled the putt to send the Western League to their second straight National Championship appearance.
The final two groups closed out their third flag with full point victories giving the Western League an 8.5-3.5 victory advancing them on to the National Championship located at Greyhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 9-13th.
The PGA Jr. League Postseason presented by National Car Rental is designed to celebrate the regular recreational season held in April through July, as well as provide a fun and welcoming environment for the 20 percent of PGA Jr. League players who identify as competitive golfers. Following the regular season, 10-player All-Star teams were formed from a combination of players in each local league.
PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together around fun, coed team golf experiences, all with expert coaching and instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals, who serve as Captains of the teams. Kids wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends, using a scramble format for competition that encourages mentorship and promotes sportsmanship. A record 50,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League this year, growing from 42,000 players in 2017. For more information on PGA Jr. League, visit PGAJrLeague.com.
As the Official Partner of PGA Jr. League, National Car Rental is committed to growing future business leaders by growing junior golf. National Car Rental helps provide fun, engaging and welcoming experiences for PGA Jr. League golfers and their families all season and postseason long.
WHAT: PGA Jr. League Regional Championship presented by National Car Rental
WHEN: Saturday-Sunday, September 14-15
WHERE: Cranberry Valley Golf Course • Harwich, Mass.
WHO: Western League Roster:
Galen Fowles
Reilly Fowles
North Chery
Will Gregware
John Latinen
Annie Dai
Caleb Smith
Alex Halpert
Brennan Myers
Luke Hoglund