Lafayette, LA – June 10th, 2023
Jade Neves of New Orleans, LA is your 2023 LJGT at The Wetlands Champion for the Overall Girls’ division. Neves carded a round one score of 74 and a round two score of 71, finishing the weekend at only +1 over par. Neves had a solid first round but started the second round with something to prove as she birdied four of the first six holes on the front nine. Neves in fact did have something to prove as she was the youngest competitor in the overall girls’ division. Neves started the second round two shots back of Samantha Schultz of Mandeville. As mentioned, Neves got into a groove early and maintained her spectacular play to secure her first LJGT victory of the season and first of her Louisiana Junior Golf Tour career. The leader after day one, Samantha Schutlz, had a great showing but Neves was too much on the second day. Schultz carded rounds of 72 and 74 to fall by only one stroke and take home the runner-up trophy. Evelynn Artieta from Denham Springs was in the hunt on both days and kept it interesting. Artieta finished with scores of 73 in round one and 75 in round two. She finished at four-over par and took home the third-place crystal.
Ashton Cruse of Columbia, LA is your 2023 LJGT at The Wetlands Champion for the Overall Boys’ division. The battle for the boys’ division was an exciting one that came down to the wire with exceptional players in the field. Cruse, the leader after day one, fired two solid rounds, carding a four-under 68 in round one and one-under 71 in round two helping him seal his first career LJGT victory over runner-up finisher Ben Blanco of Lafayette. Blanco put the pressure on round one co-leader Phillips by firing an impressive tournament low six-under 66 in round two. Blanco after his stellar round was the leader in the club house, but Cruse came up clutch with a birdie on 18 to slam the door on the comeback effort from Blanco. Tripp Bellard of Lafayette, La had an impressive showing carding rounds of 71 and 71. Bellard was in a three way tie for third with Mason Comeaux of Port Allen and Cooper Edney of Lafayette. Bellard’s round of 71 in round two gave him the edge to win the scorecard playoff and secure third place.
Hayden Amy of Broussard is your 2023 LJGT at Cane Row Champion for the 11-13 Boys division. Amy finished the tournament at even par winning by four strokes. Amy started the day with a seven-stroke lead and was able to hold off the surging Parker Greene who would take home the runner-up crystal. Greene carded a two-under 70 to give him a chance at the champion’s crystal but it wasn’t enough.
It was a beautiful but hot two days at Lafayette with highs almost reaching 90 degrees.
The Wetlands played to a par of 72 at approximately 6,600 yards for the Overall Boys’ division and approximately 5,600 for the Overall Girls’ and the Boys’ 11-13 division.
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