It’s going to be two busy weeks for Paul Claxton.
The PGA Tour and Web.com Tour veteran will be among the favorites at this week’s Georgia Open and will compete the next week at the PGA Championship in Charlotte, N.C.
Claxton, now the director of golf at Hawk’s Point Golf Club in Vidalia, leads a strong field for the 72-hole Georgia Open, which begins Thursday at the Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill. The following week, the University of Georgia product will make his first appearance at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow thanks to his performance in the National Club Professional Championship.
“I’m looking forward to the PGA Championship,” Claxton said. “I’ve never played in one, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The defending Georgia Open champion is Shad Tuten, a former Armstrong Atlantic golfer who currently competes on the PGA LatinoAmerica Tour. He will be paired in the first round with Georgia Amateur champion Justin Connelly.
Haigwood captures Georgia Women’s Open
Jessica Haigwood of Roswell, who recently completed her career at Augusta University, won the Georgia Women’s Open at Pinetree Country Club. Haigwood closed with a 69 and finished at 3-under 141 to score a two-shot win over Lacey Fears of Macon. Haigwood had finished in the top five the previous five years.
Two juniors advance in nationals
Ivy Shepherd of Peachtree City, the reigning Georgia Junior Girls champion, reached the round of 32 at the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur at Boone Valley in Augusta, Mo. Shepherd was the only Georgian to qualify for match play. She beat Michaela Morard of Alabama 4 and 3 in the first round, but lost to Elizabeth Moon of Arkansas 3 and 2 in the second round.
Nicolas Cassidy of Johns Creek was the only boy to reach match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn. Cassidy, the AJC Golfer of the Year, fell to Fred Lee of Australia in 19 holes.
Hogan, Im repeat at Grand Championship
Ryan Hogan of Gainesville and Sara Im of Duluth both successfully defended their titles at the Georgia Junior Golf’s Grand Championship at Woodmont Golf and Country Club.
Hogan opened with a tournament-best 68 and shot a 1-over 215 to beat Matthew Cleary of Dalton by three shots. Zach Womack of Acworth shot 2-under in the final round and jumped into third place at 4 over.
Im shot a 13-over 229 and scored a 13-stroke win over Kate Song of Johns Creek. Katherine Densmore of Fairmont was third.
Marietta’s Pictor tops qualifiers
Brenda Pictor of Marietta won the local qualifier for the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur at Planterra Ridge in Peachtree City. Pictor shot 77, four ahead of Roswell’s Leslie Elkins. Shelly White of Atlanta won a playoff to take the final qualifying spot for the national championship next month in Portland.
Duo ties at Senior Am qualifier
Jorge Cora of Atlanta and Jack Hall of Savannah shot 69s and shared medalist honors at the USGA Senior Amateur qualifier at Horseshoe Bend in Roswell. Also advancing to the national championship in Minneapolis was Bob Royak of Alpharetta.
Etc.
Ethan Mangum and Alison Crenshaw were the winners in the top divisions at the inaugural Victory Junior Tour event at Cuscowilla. The new junior tour was created to develop talent and raise money for charity. … Subregional competition for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will be held Aug. 19 at the Augusta Country Club.
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