Backspin Volume 4, Issue 1 | Page 23

Boys 13-15 Winner Trey Morse of New Orleans , Girls 13-18 winner Yujeong Son of Norman , Ok . and Boys 16-18 Winner Jack Gnam of Ridgeland , Ms .
a golf academy at Money Hill Golf & Country Club in Abita Springs , La
Ṙunner-up honors in the Girls division went to Michaela Morard , a high school freshman from Huntsville , Al . Morard , a verbal commit to the University of Alabama , shot rounds of 70- 76 ( 146 ). Third place in this division went to Hannah Levi of D ’ Iberville , Ms ., with a score of 151 . Levi , who is in the Class of 2018 , has committed to play at Mississippi State University .
New Orleanian , Trey Morse , held off a strong challenge by runner-up Eli Maxwell of Memphis , Tn ., to win the Boys 13-15 division and give him his first national tournament victory . Morse , who started the final round in a three-way tie for the lead after shooting 71 the first day , finished with a 78 to post the winning score of 149 . Maxwell opened with a 76 and then added a 74 on Thursday , the best round shot in the 13-15 division on the second day of play . Third place in this division went to Payne Johnson of Shreveport with rounds of 76-77 ( 153 ).
Morse was excited about what he calls his “ biggest win to date . This was a hard-fought event and I knew that there were a lot of good players in our division .” Morse admitted he didn ’ t play as well the second day but added , “ the conditions were very tough out there and I am proud that I was able to hold on .”
Morse ’ s father , Chuck , called his son ’ s win a ” breakthrough for him and definitely something he can build on for the future . I was very proud of him for keeping his nerves under control down the stretch .”
Tournament Executive Director , Randy Mason , said Morse ’ s win was “ very special for me .” Mason added , “ I had the opportunity to work with Trey as one of my first students when I was a golf instructor . Having a hometown player from New Orleans win this national event is extremely gratifying .”
Making the trophy presentations to the winners at the conclusion of play Thursday , along with PGA TOUR Veteran Gibson , and Foundation Executive Director Mason , were G . Charles “ Chuck ” Lapeyre , Sugar Bowl Committee President for 2016-17 and Dr . John Moore and Mason Moore , father and son of the late Tommy Moore , who is the namesake of the tournament . Lapeyre stated , “ We are extremely proud of this event and our partnership with the Kelly Gibson Foundation to promote amateur athletics in the New Orleans community .”
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