Green On Top At PGA Junior
WEST LAFAYETTE – With a rain-filled morning that gave way to a sunny afternoon, the PGA Junior Series supported by Genesis Networks event at Purdue’s Kampen course gave players a variety of challenges throughout the day. With the morning wave trying to stay dry and the afternoon wave trying to stay cool, players were forced to grind through their rounds one hole at a time.
Tied for first in the boys’ division is Kavan Eubank of Japan, and former PGA Junior Series champion, and Tyler Green of Columbia City, after the pair fired a three-under-par 69 to lead the boys’ group by one stroke.
“Today I just putted well and was able to give myself plenty of birdy opportunities,” said Eubank. “I feel really confident about my game right now and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Green, just a sophomore at Columbia City High School, fired a 71 for runner-up medalist honors at the Warsaw Sectional last season and helped his Eagles’ club to a regional appearance.
In a three-way-tie for third is Nathan Pirtle of Sullivan, Ind., Ryoto Furuya of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Brady Dixon of Mounds, Ill., after all posting opening-rounds of 70.
Area boys include Fort Wayne’s Spencer Gillig (Fort Wayne Dwenger) at 78 and Tyler White of Kokomo (Western) at 79. There are 15 boys from Indiana involved in the boys division.
Leading the girls’ division is Jessica Porvasnik of Hinckley, Ohio, after firing a two-under-par round of 70 to obtain a one-stroke-lead. Porvasnik will be making her collegiate debut for the Ohio State University in the fall.
Shawn Rennegarbe of Addieville, Ill., stands in second with an opening round of one-under-par 71.
Tied for third is Harley Dubsky of Valparaiso and Sydney Snodgrass of Harrisville, W.Va., after both posting 73.
Locally, Jaycee Bunner of Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian) shot an 82 and Kathryn Willenbrink of Granger (Penn) fired an 87 among the 16 girls from Indiana in competition.
In the 13-15 boys division, Columbia City’s Spencer Klimek is in front with a round of 72.
The tournament at Purdue will continue through Wednesday. The final tournament will take place July 30 through August 2 at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va.