Sumter’s Jones wins Grant Bennett Florence Junior Invitational
Florence Walker Jones of Sumter has found himself around the leaders this summer but had yet to convert that into a victory.
Walker’s steady play finally paid off at the Grant Bennett Florence Junior Invitational when his final round 68 was enough to win by one over opening-round leader Cody Transou of Gaffney. Jones took the lead with a birdie on his 35th hole of the tournament and made birdie on the final hole. Tyler Gray of Lugoff finished two back in third place. Last year's Champion Jacob Bridgeman finished in fourth place.
In the Boys 13-14 Division, Manning Sloop of Rock Hill won for the second straight year. Sloop opened his round with four consecutive bogies but rallied back during the round to get it back to one over par on the day, even par for the tournament. Mason Tucker (Lancaster) had the comeback of the tournament with his second round score of 68 to better his first round by 10 strokes. That 78-68 score was good enough to finish Mason in second place. Florence CC member Gene Zeigler finished in third place at five over par.
In the Boys 10-12 Division, Adam Hunt (Columbia) continued his reign of SCJGA competitions and came from one back to win over Greenville's William Jennings. Hunt finished at even par for the day and one under overall. Round One leader Jerry Bruns of Bluffton finished in third place.
Tip Price of Greenville won the Boys 10 & Under Division with a two-day total of 2 over par. Daniel Donato (Mount Pleasant) finished second with Hugh Faulkner (Greenville) finished third.
Local final results:
Boys 15-18
▪ 8 Drew Weary, Bluffton, 71-71—142 E
▪ T16 Connor Moore, Bluffton, 74-73—147 +5
▪ T16 Tommy Holloway, Fripp Island, 71-76—147 +5
▪ T21 Brandon McBride, Bluffton, 73-75—148 +6
Boys 11-12
▪ 3 Jerry Bruns, Beaufort, 69-79—148 +6
Boys 13-14
▪ T12 Max Green, Hilton Head, 79-77—156 +14
This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Sumter’s Jones wins Grant Bennett Florence Junior Invitational."