Derhodge, Bennett take final tour stop
R.J. Derhodge finished things off the way he started on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour.
The 18-year-old Niagara Falls native fired a 77 to take home top spot in the U17/19 boys division Monday on the 10th and final stop of the 2019 tour at Beechwood.
Derhodge, who won the first two stops on the tour and the final three, also repeated as boys overall points champion.
The St. Michael High School graduate admitted another tour victory was on his mind as he teed off Monday.
“For sure. I thought I was playing pretty good right now and if I just shoot something decent I thought I had a good chance,” he said.
Derhodge managed to work around a pair of sevens and a six after getting off to a strong start.
“I was one under par and five and six I ended up going triple (bogey), triple on those,” he said. “It wasn’t like I was blowing up mentally. I just hit some bad shots out there.
“Those holes are tough. You have to learn to keep it in play.”
Derhodge then double bogeyed the 16th before recovering on the final two holes.
“I birdied 18 so it was a very up and down round,” he said.
Derhodge said it was key to try and not get all the strokes back after a bad hole.
“You immediately want to make a birdie and you think it’s going to be really hard to get it back if you don’t do something right away,” he said. “I didn’t let it bother me, to be honest.
“I don’t normally do that. It just happened and I moved on from it and played my game and ended up coming in with the win.”
PAYTON’S PLACE ON TOP
Payton Bennett saved her best for last.
The 16-year-old Stoney Creek resident fired a 75 to take the girls title. It was the Cardinal Newman student’s fourth win and her best round of the season on the tour.
Bennett also won at Rockway, Twenty Valley and Willodell earlier this summer.
“I drove the ball fantastic. Normally when I drive the ball well I’m going to play well,” she said. “If I put it in the fairways, it’s going to be good so that was awesome. I hit my irons well too and made three birdies on the back nine on par fives which really helped too.”
Bennett finished second in the overall points race to winner Megan Miron.
“I was thinking about possibly winning the tour but a lot had to go my way,” she said. “I thought just go out and play my best and whatever happens, happens.”
Bennett said the course played well.
“It was great,” she said. “It was in good condition. It was a little wet but we played lift, clean and play so that was good. The greens were rolling good so it was great.”
Bennett was satisfied with her performance on the tour.
“I happy with the wins. I didn’t think I would have that many coming into this season.”
Bennett plans to continue to play tournaments in the United States as well and return to the junior tour next season.
U11 Boys
1. Ben Julie 85; 2. Lucas Sartor 108; 3. Trent Clarke 112.
U13 Boys
1. Michael Martel 79; 2. Christian Baxter 90; 3. Ethan Baxter 91, Levi Moyer 91; 5. Will Burleigh 94; 6. Elliott Christopher 109.
U15 Boys
1. Sammy Rootes 84; 2. Nathan Freure 88; 3. Kian Blair 93. Hudson Mielko 93; 5. John Kingdon 94; 6. Anthony Sartor 98; 7. Liam Kirk 102; 8. Christian Rotundo 107; 9. Declan Whittard 108.
U17 and U19 Boys
1. R.J. Derhodge 77; 2. Johnny Romak 79, Blake Pingue 79; 4. Jordyn Rowling 82, Jared Sloan 82, Andrew Scott 82, Ethan Siebert 82; 8. Damien Stehling 83; 9. Stefan Serroul 84, Owen Sartor 84.
U19 Girls
1. Payton Bennett 75; 2. Megan Miron 80; 3. Sasha Baker 89, Emily White 89; 5. Casey Kenney 94; 6. Mya Mackey 96; 7. Jade Gracie 100, Mikayla Lacey 100, Alexis Alderson 100; 10. Kate Jeffery 115.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
