July 9, 2024
The NCGA Junior Championship has seen some great performances in its 95-year history.
Alameda resident Kailer Stone may have had the best one yet.
Stone, a high school junior-to-be, carded a final round 2-under 70 to come in with a record 54-hole total of 16-under 200. The previous championship total record was 13-under 203, set by Patrick Nagle in 2002 at Brookside CC. The Boys' championship format switched to 54 holes of stroke play in 1983.
The winner by seven shots over runner-up Ayden Fynaut, Stone was a machine in the first two rounds, posting scores of 66-64. The second round 64 included three eagles, one being a hole-out on the 374-yard par-4 12th.
Overall, Stone carded 17 birdies over his 54 holes.
Fynaut had a stellar final round, carding a bogey-free 63 with nine birdies to come in at 9-under 207. Third place went to Christian Maggard at 213 following a 69.
Past winners of the event include Johnny Miller (1963), Mike Brannan (1973) and Bobby Clampett (1976).
Olivia Duan of Cupertino rolled to a six-shot victory, carding a final round 72 to come in with a 54-hole total of 7-under 209.
Duan, who will begin playing at Princeton this fall, made her big move in the first and second rounds, carding scores of 69 and 68, respectively. For Duan, it was another NorCal triumph. In 2023, she won the San Francisco City Women's Championship title.
Tavia Burgess finished in second place at 215 after a final-round low of 69. Third place went to Ashley Gettleman at 225.
July 8, 2024
Alameda's Kailer Stone is on a record pace at this year's NCGA Junior Championship at The Club at Ruby Hill.
On Monday, Stone, a high school junior-to-be, posted back-to-back stellar rounds of 66-64 to open this year's Boys' Championship with a 36-hole score of 14-under 130. The record 54-hole score for the NCGA Boys' Junior Championship is 13-under 203, set by Patrick Nagle in 2002 at Brookside CC.
In his 66, Stone carded seven birdies and a lone bogey. In the afternoon 18, he'd post three eagles, five birdies and three bogeys. Among the eagles was a hole-out 2 on the 374-yard par-4 12th.
Stone will enter Tuesday's final round holding a 10-shot lead over Estuardo Duque. Duque came in at 140 after rounds of 72-68.
Two players--Alejandro Formosa and Lequan Wang--are tied for third at 141.
The Boys' championship format switched to 54 holes of stroke play in 1983.
Cupertino resident Olivia Duan could be headed to Princeton with another NorCal prize in tow.
Duan, who will begin playing at Princeton this fall, opened up a commanding nine-shot lead after opening with rounds of 69-68 for a 36-hole score of 7-under 137. Duan, who won the San Francisco City women's title in 2023, needs a final round 69 to at least match the low 54-hole score record of 206 set by 2023 winner Cathy Zhang.
Tavia Burgess is alone in second place at 146 after rounds of 72-74.
Three players--Ashley Gettleman, Sakura Watanabe and Chloe Ku--are tied for third at 153.
Tuesday's final round will consist of 18 holes. The Girls' championship moved to a 54-hole format in 2019.