Junior Disc Golfers Shine at Kentucky Championships
Date Published
On November 9th, the Ironworks Hills disc golf course in Winchester, KY hosted the 6th Annual Kentucky Rec, Novice, and Junior Disc Golf Championships. This event attracted a large field of 86 players, with an impressive 47 junior competitors making up more than half of the participants. The modified layout featured nine permanent holes, supplemented by 11 temporary holes to create a challenging yet enjoyable 20-hole course.
The weather conditions were favorable, with only moderate winds (gusts up to 20 mph) and clear skies. Despite some strong gusts, players were able to focus on their game without any major disruptions.
Among the junior competitors was Jacob Varner from George Rogers Clark High School, who took top honors in the Under 19 Juniors division. With a pair of impressive rounds totaling 116 (par 60), or -4, Varner set an outstanding pace for his peers. Brandon Lowery secured the Recreational division title by three strokes, while Joe Godbey emerged victorious in the Novice division with a narrow lead.
A unique aspect of this year's event was the incorporation of the Kentucky High School State Team Championship. Participating teams were required to have more than four players and competed for a total score based on their team members' individual performances. The school with the lowest overall total would be declared the state champions.
Four high schools from across Kentucky participated in the State Championship: George Rogers Clark High School (GRCHS), Anderson County High School, Franklin County High School, and Lexington Catholic High School. GRCHS had previously claimed the title in 2008 but was dethroned by Anderson County High School from 2010 to 2012.
Varner's exceptional performance significantly contributed to his team's overall score, helping them reclaim the State Championship with a commanding lead of 28 throws over their nearest rivals. When asked about GRCHS' success, tournament director TD Lewis Willian praised the team for their dedication and community involvement: "The GRC boys have been holding organized practices all Fall as well as participating in our 25-person Fall PDGA league. When the course was damaged 10 days ago in the strong windstorms that moved through the area – it was the GRC boys that helped clear the damage and get the course playable again."
Final scores for the State Championship were: GRCHS- 542, ACHS- 570, FCHS- 603, LCHS-636. Complete results from the event can be found on their website. Congratulations to the newly crowned Kentucky High School State Champions, the George Rogers Clark High School Cardinals!
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/juniors-in-droves