February 26, 2023 Choudrant, Louisiana
LSU commit Connor Cassano of Shreveport, Louisiana and Ole Miss commit Jacob Blanton of West Point, Mississippi emerged victorious on Sunday at Squire Creek Country Club. After finishing in 17th place in 2022 and being 6 shots back after round one this year, Cassano and Blanton card an insanely low round 13-under (59) to force a playoff against Fontenot and Mendell who were the co-leaders after round one. Cassano and Blanton go on to win after six playoff holes on a birdie from Jacob Blanton.
The side completed the largest comeback in Sam Burns Junior Four Championship history by winning the longest playoff in the championships’ history. Blanton and Cassano also defeated the most talented and deep field the Sam Burns Junior Fall Ball Champiosnhip we’ve seen, truly a remarkable accomplishment to add to their young careers. First round leaders Kale Fontenot and Jay Mendell of Lafayette, LA finished runner-up after the six-hole playoff. They carded impressive rounds of (63) and (65) over the two days. With host Sam Burns present and spectating on hole 18, Fontenot and Mendell needed a birdie to avoid the playoff. They had two lengthy putts at birdie but could not get one to fall. Fontenot and Mendell played well and had a few opportunities to close the door in the playoff. The two Lafayette natives definitely played well enough over two days to win a championship. With all of the hype around the playoff, Adam Trahan of Crowley, LA and Ross Anderson of Lake Charles, LA finished at a sneaky (-15) under carding rounds of (65) and (64). The Louisiana-Lafayette commits finished in sole third place.
Evelynn Artieta of Denham Springs, LA and Maci Williams of Brusly, LA defeated Krysta Loftin of Pearland, TX, and Mattie Purgahn of Lake Charles, LA with total to par score of seven-under to win the Girls’ Championship. Artieta and Williams shot rounds of five-under par (67) and two-under par (70). Loftin and Purgahn finished their championship four shots off the lead after carding rounds of (69) and (70). Ariana Blagrove of Springfield, LA and Vivian Volion finished in solo third place two-over for the championship.
Slayte Guidry of Shreveport, LA and Hudson Green continued their excellent team chemistry, from the Junior River Cup to win the Boys’ 11-13 Division. Some call their chemistry like “voo-doo”, shooting rounds of four-under par (68) and five-under par (67). Mason and Luke An of Houston, TX started the day as co-leaders but finished in solo second with a commendable two-under par (70) second round score to finish just three strokes off the lead.
Conditions improved on Sunday in Choudrant, with temperatures reaching the mid 70’s and sunshine. The Tom Fazio designed Squire Creek Country Club drew excellent reviews from competitors, parents, and spectators. The Squire Creek course played to a par of 72 at approximately 6,600 yards on Sunday for the Overall Boys competition and 5,450 yards for the Girls and 11-13 Boys. The greens were pure and was in excellent condition per usual.
For full final results please click here.