Junior golf event has strong first round

Staff reports
Published: July 8, 2008

The first day of the 38th annual Southern Junior golf tournament at Saugahatchee Country Club was a busy one.

The 96-strong field included some of the top junior golfers in the Southeast.

The par-72 course played at 6,735 for the 16-19-year-old male division and 5,804 for the 15-19-year-old female division.

Thirteen golfers shot par or better, including Daniel Glidewell of Opelika and Matthew Barnes of Birmingham, who each shot 3-under 69, the day’s lowest score.

Glidewell and Barnes are tied for first place in the 16-19-year-old male division, two shots ahead of Opelika’s Austin Murphy and Powder Springs, Ga.’s Austin Graham.

Michael James of Auburn, who shot 2-under 70, is alone in first place in the 14-15-year-old male division, one shot ahead of Columbus’ Jimmy Beck.

LaGrange, Ga.’s Caitlin Watts shot 1-under 71 to claim the lead in the 15-19-year-old female division, a shot ahead of Haley Wilson of Fort Mitchell.

Daphne’s Caroline Beebe, the only player in the female 12-14-year-old division, shot 79 for first place in the division.

The tournament concludes with today’s second round, which will begin at 8 a.m.