Published: July 03, 2009 10:36 pm      

Princeton’s Nelson wins second BRJGT event

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — The third tournament of the Blue Ridge Junior Golf Tour was held on Thursday at The Greenbrier Resort.

Among the winners in the five age groups was Princeton’s Jordan Nelson, who captured the 14-to-15-year-old category by shooting a 3-under par 74 in what was called the Greenbrier Junior Invitational.

Nelson earned a one-shot victory over Connor Hayden of Chilhowie. Alex Riffe of Bluefield, Va., followed with a 78. A trio of golfers tied for fourth with 80s, including J.J. McPherson of Princeton, Evan Smith of Bluefield, and John Bryant from Galax.

Gate City’s Clint Lowe won the 16-18 age group for a second time this season, shooting a three-over 74, defeating John Willard of Christiansburg, by two strokes.

Jordan Patrick of Abingdon, who won the other event in the oldest age group, was third with a 77. Chris Scott (Wytheville) and Tyler Welch (Salem) tied for fourth with a pair of 78s.

Another two-time winner was Gunar Frazier of Pearisburg, who won for a second straight week in the 12-13 category with a three-over 74. Pipestem’s Ben Lamb finished seven strokes back in second place with an 81.

That duo was followed by Zachary Luttrell (Pounding Mill) with an 83, and Ikey Judy (Lindside), who fired an 85. There was a fifth place tie at 86 with Gray Baker (Bluefield, Va.) and Austin Blevins (Marion).

In the younger age groups which requires nine holes, Matt Brittain of Abingdon, and Beckley’s Isaiah Zaccheo were the winners.

Brittain won the 10-12 age group with a 4-over 39, defeating Kory Wilson of Pearisburg, who shot a 42. Dylan Sawyers of Richlands fired a 44, followed by Marion’s Taylor Trail and Abingdon’s Andrew Spiegler with 47s.

Zaccheo fired a two-under 33, defeating Adam Hooker of Lebanon by seven strokes in the 9-under category. Noah Clark of Pearisburg and Beckley’s Patrick Smith were deadlocked for third with 45s.

The BRJGT, which had 98 golfers in Thursday’s round, will next gather on Monday at Tazewell County Country Club starting at 8 a.m.