Welcome to the 69th Donald Ross Jr. Championship

Pinehurst teens claim two boys titles while sisters took two girls divisions

The 69th playing of the Donald Ross Jr. Championship saw 290 junior boys and girls from 24 different states and three countries compete over two rounds at the historic Pinehurst Resort and Country Club located in Pinehurst, NC. Courses No. 4 & No. 5 hosted the Boys 15-18 division, Course No. 1 hosted the Boys 12-14 and the Boys 11&Under Division while No. 8 played host to the inaugural Girls divisions (11&Under, 12-14, and 15-18).

AJ Beechler of Pinehurst, NC took home the title in the boy’s 15-18 division. His consistent play and rounds of 70+70=140 were enough for a two shot victory over first round leader Jack Parrott of Columbia, SC. Beechler’s four birdies in the second round and eight total during the tournament was only bested by third place finisher Attie Giles, also of Pinehurst, who posted nine birdies of his own over the course of his two rounds. Also finishing in a tie for third was Grayson Wotnosky of Wake Forest, NC with a score of 143 while Connor Armistead of Charlotte, NC rounded out the top five.   

In the boys 12-14 age division another local Pinehurst Native claimed the first place title. Jackson Van Paris defeated Ben Warian of Stillwater, MN in a sudden death playoff. The two players were tied at 141 following two rounds on Pinehurst No. 1. A bogey five on the first playoff hole was all that Van Paris needed to hoist the championship trophy. Three players finished tied for third: Nicholas Hance of Irving, TX, Drew Miller of Arlington, TN, and Narayan Mohan of Charlotte, NC all posted 36-hole totals of 142, just one shot out of the playoff.  

Kareem Elkassem of Raleigh, NC was able to claim the top prize in the boys 11 & Under division. After finishing as runner-up last year, Elkassem was determined to take home a coveted Putter Boy trophy. He was able to outlast Sihan Sandhu of Ashburn, VA. The two were tied after 36-holes and took two playoff holes to determine the champion. Sandhu’s second round 69 was the low score for the division. Jackson Herrington of Franklin, TN took home third prize while Greenville, SC native William Jennings claimed fourth. David Oliver, IV of Pageland, SC rounded out the top five.

The 69th edition of the Donald Ross saw three girls divisions for the first time. Nineteen girls can now claim they are part of Pinehurst history as they competed in the inaugural Donald Ross Junior Girls field. Gracyn Burgess of Lexington, SC took home the girls 15-18 title narrowly defeating Kathryn Carson of Mooresville, NC. Burgess entered the final two holes with a five stroke lead and played them at +4 to earn her title. Belmont, NC native Taylor Hinson finished third.

Sisters Amelia and Emma Shen of Tenfly, NJ were both victorious in their respective divisions. Amelia topped the 11 & Under field while sister Emma lead the 12-14 age division. Boonyanant Rujiranan of Southern Pines, NC was runner-up in the 11 & Under field while Addison Klonowski of Naples, FL finished third. Rounding out the 12-14 division was Katharina Floyd of Chapel Hill, NC and Mara Hirtle of Pinehust, NC finished second and third respectively.