Guerra and McLaughlin Victorious at 22nd Metropolitan Junior Amateur Championship
Bel-Nor, MO – The Barbara A. Berkmeyer and James M. Holtgrieve trophies have new homes for the next year. John Guerra and Avery McLaughlin are champions of the 22nd Metropolitan Junior Amateur Championship.
The 36-hole, two-day championship took place at Normandie Golf Course.
Guerra took a five-shot lead into the second day and had to grind on the back nine to take home the title. Making the turn at 1-over, Guerra had a three-shot cushion over the rest of the field but a 7 on the par 4 11th hole quickly had the championship in a three-way tie between three players.
The rising junior at Chaminade went birdie bogey the next four holes to stay at 3-over. A par on No. 18 would be enough give Guerra the title by a stroke, going 3-over (69-76–145).
“Yesterday was a pretty simple day, just hitting fairways and greens and the putts were rolling,” Guerra said. “Today, I kept it cool, I forgot about yesterday and played it like a whole new tournament.”
Griffin St. Pierre earned runner-up after going 4-over (74-72–146).
On the Metropolitan Girls Junior Amateur side, McLaughlin led by three coming into the final day. After a 12-over 85, she beat Reese Reinhardt by three strokes to win the Barbara A. Berkmeyer trophy. McLaughlin had a two-day total of 23-over (84-85–169).
“Over the last two days, my short game was very present,” McLaughlin said. “I made a lot of chips and putts that I don’t usually make which was a huge plus for me.”
Reese Reinhardt took home runner-up honors for the second straight year.
Jack Lematty earned first place in the 14-15 Boys Division after a 5-over 76 Tuesday. His two-day total of 15-over (81-76–157) won by two strokes over Parker Bruening.
After winning his division in the 3rd Metropolitan 9-Hole Championship on Saturday, John DeLuca added another trophy to his summer collection. The Chaminade golfer won the 12-13 Boys Division going 16-over (75-83–158).
—
The post Guerra and McLaughlin Victorious at 22nd Metropolitan Junior Amateur Championship appeared first on Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association.