July 11, 2012 –Alexandria, LA — The competition is heating up in the 55th Louisiana Golf Association Junior Amateur Championship at Links on the Bayou in Alexandria. Several players produced gritty performances in morning conditions that were similar to those more often seen at a British Open. The wind was howling and a light mist blanketed the golf course for a couple of hours, but the LGA Tournament Committee would not need to sound their air-horns, and play finished without a suspension. Wednesday was a day for players to put themselves in position to move up the leaderboard for the final two rounds. None are in better position than Sam Burns of Shreveport and Evan Morse of Denham Springs who both fired five-under par 67s to share the lead. Shane Fontenot of Lake Charles stands two shots back after carding a three-under par 69. Tied for fourth at one-under par 71 are Blake Gautreaux of Prairieville, Jacob Wyatt of Bossier City, and Ryan Alford of Shreveport.
Sam Burns carded the only bogey-free round of the day. He got off to a quick start with 3 birdies on the front nine at #1, #5, and #7. Birdies on the par-five 13th and the par-four 16th brought his round to five-under.
Equally impressive was the round played by Evan Morse who started his round on the 10th tee. Morse birdied #11, gave one back with a bogey on #12, then made consecutive birdies on holes 13 and 14 to make the turn at 34. He would go on to birdie #1, #4, and #8. Burns and Morse will be paired together in Round 2, so they will have a chance to put the pressure on each other if they continue to string together more birdies.
Shane Fontenot played solid golf on the front nine, making the turn at even par, but he really got it going on the back nine with a birdie on #12. He would go on to birdie both par fives on the back, #13 and #15.
Peyton McCulloch of Zachary and Jeff Berry of Shreveport are tied for seventh after a round of even par 72. Tied for 9th at 73 are Philip Barbaree of Shreveport, Nathan Jeansonne of Keithville, Thomas Ruli, Jr. of Mandeville, and Grant Welch of Baton Rouge.
Age Group Championships were conducted in the afternoon on Wednesday. Leaders of each division are as follows: Age Group 15-17 — Hunter Hale of Franklinton (79), Troy Leger of Mandeville (87). Age Group 14 — Beau David of Lafayette (76), Stewart Perilloux of Zachary (79). Age Group 13 — Nicklaus Daniel of Covington (76) and Joel Boyett of Calhoun (79). Age Group 10-12 — Hayden White of Benton (71) and Charlie Flynn of Alexandria (76). Overall Championship play will be begin again at 7:30 AM off both #1 and #10 tees. The Age-Group players will play again in the afternoon with trophy presentations immediately following the conclusion of their round.
As indicated earlier, this year’s Championship is being played at Links on the Bayou in Alexandria. The Links on the Bayou course is playing to a par of 72 at approximately 6,750 yards for the Championship. This year’s competitors are hoping to join the prestigious list of Champions of this event that includes Hal Sutton, David Toms, Brian Bateman, and Willie Wood.
As mentioned, in addition to the Overall Junior Amateur Championship, the LGA also conducts Age-Group Championships for Ages 10-12, 13, 14, and 15-17.
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