The Gate February 2017 | Page 15

Carson Barbe , John Daly II take home wins at IJGT Winter Classic

BGGA students claimed two of the three trophies up for grabs at the IJGT Winter Classic at Oldfield Golf Club in South Carolina .
The players battled through tough weather conditions that included cold temperatures and high winds , especially during the final round where the wind was blowing a constant 20 mph with gusts of 27 to 28 mph .
Carson Barbe , a BGGA Post-Graduate student , fired a 145 = 71-74 to win the Boys 15-19 Division , three shots ahead of second place . Barbe ’ s coach wasn ’ t surprised by his win , because this course suited his game , and he ’ s been playing great all year .
“ Carson hits the ball really straight and plays well in the wind , so that does help him play on those type of golf courses ,” said Coach Nick Duffy .
For the Boys 14 and under Division , one of BGGA ’ s newest students , John Daly II , used a 155 = 75-80 to win the division , three shots ahead of second place . Daly ’ s strength came from his accuracy off the tee and his ability to recover well when he needed it .
“ Playing steady golf won it for John ,” said Duffy . “ He was very excited and looked like he wanted to be out there in the cold and bad weather .”
In the Girls Division , Chiara Arya took second place .

BGGA claims two divisions at IJGT Florida Junior

BGGA students competed in the IJGT Florida Junior at Orange County National in Orlando , Fla . John Daly II won the Boys 14 and under Division while Yukie Sasaki took home the title in the Girls Division .
Daly recorded his second IJGT win in a row with two more consistent rounds . He finished 8-over 152 with rounds of 77 and 75 , four strokes ahead of BGGA ’ s Oscar De la Fuente .
“ I think what ’ s been working for John is he ’ s a competitor ,” said Coach Nick Duffy . “ He didn ’ t have it going this weekend and was not hitting it well , but he ’ s so competitive he didn ’ t quit . He kept fighting the whole way .”
Sasaki captured her third IJGT win with a 4-over 148 . She started strong with a first-round 71 and followed that with a final-round 77 to hold the top spot in the Girls Division .
“ Yukie had her career-low round of putting in the first round with 26 putts and six birdies ,” said Coach Scott Shaffer . “ We ’ ve been working on improving her putting and it ’ s working .”
Overall , 51 students from BGGA competed in the event with 10 finishing in the top 5 . Follow along as BGGA students are just getting their spring tournament schedules started .