WOODBURN, OR (June 30, 2006) -- Robbie Ziegler of Canby, Ore. was down to on his match to Paul Peterson of Salem, Ore. until the final hole when it counted most to capture the State Junior Amateur Championship at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn, Ore. This was the second year that Peterson finished with runner-up status. University of Oregon Golf Coach, Casey Martin was on hand to the watch the finals and noted that some incredible golf was played.
After the first none holes, Ziegler was down 2 despite shooting 1-under par but Peterson, who was medalist again this year in the qualifying round, was 3-under par after scoring eagle on the par-5 ninth hole. The back nine was another story. According to Martin, Peterson was scrambling to make par while. Ziegler on the other hand, finished his day shooting 4-under par 68, 1 stroke better than Peterson.
But stroke totals do not matter in match play, just winning a hole at the right time is important. Ziegler birdied the 15th hole to get the match to 1-down and also birdied the par-3 17th hole to bring the match all-square. On the final hole, Ziegler placed his approach below the hole and easily two putted to make par. Peterson, on the other hand, placed his ball above the hole and had a tricky downhill left-to-tight breaking putt. His first putt went past the hole and ended up about four feet away, and his comeback putt missed right leaving him with a bogey to give the match to Ziegler.
In the Girls final, Erica Omlid of Springfield, Ore. closed out her match to Danielle Ranallo of West Linn, Ore. on the final hole. Ranallo took an early lead by winning the first hole, but that was the only time she was up in the match. Omlid brought it back to all square on the long par-4 second hole and took the lead for good on the difficult par-5 4th signature hole with a par. She was up three at the turn, but Ranallo refused to give up and shot 1-under par on the back to give it a valiant effort. Ranallo's back nine included holing out a shot from 130-yards on the par-4 15th hole for an eagle and a birdie on 17 to be just one down with one hole to play. Omlid shot a 3-over par 37-38—75 to Ranallo’s 41-35—76 to capture her Oregon Junior title.
The Boys Division (14-15) title was won by Gaston de la Torre of Brush Prairie, Wash. who earned his title over Nick Chianello of Gresham, Ore. 1up. This was another closely fought battle as both players scored extremely well. De La Torre was even par for the day, while Chianello was just 1-over par.
Sulman Raza of Eugene, Ore. captured the title in the Intermediate Boys (12-13), over Cole Weinhold of Eugene, Ore. 2 & 1. Raza, who was only 4-over par through the seventeen holes he played has consistently been one of the top performers in any division he has played. Both parents, on hand to watch the competition noted that this was one of the most competitive matches that Raza has ever played.
In the Intermediate Girls (12-14) division, Sharon Shin of West Linn, Ore. was 1 over par for the day enroute to capturing her second consecutive crown by winning her match 6 & 4.
The final two titles were in the Pee Wee Boys and Girls divisions (8-11) with the Boys competing in an 18-hole final, while the Girls played a 9-hole match. The Pee Boys title was won by Conor Oliver of Sandy, Ore. over Jon Grossen of Hillsboro, Ore. Grossen conceded the match on the 12th hole. Monica Vaughn of Reedsport, Ore. won her match over Hannah Swanson of Forest Grove, Ore. 2up.
The State Junior Championship began in 1927 and is one of the oldest junior competitions in the region and is considered the "major" of junior golf.
For complete match tree results in all divisions, click on the tournament link above.
ABOUT THE
Oregon Junior Amateur
Must be an amateur between the ages of 8 - 18
years
of age and be a member of Oregon Junior Golf. One
round of stroke play qualifying to establish flights
and
seeds for match play. The winner of each division
comes from the Championship Flight.
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