By LYNN SATERNOW Herald Sports Editor
Jun 15, 2019
History was made at the 71st annual Herald-Tam O’Shanter Junior Golf Championships Friday, but not in the way many people expected.
Four-time champion Conner Stevens was favored to win a record 5th crown, but didn’t compete because of personal reasons. That opened the door for an even more historic moment:
Girls finished first and second, the only time females have finished in either spot since the tourney was founded in 1949.
Hickory High junior Leah Benson posted 75-83–158 to win the cherished champions trophy and Hermitage 8th grader Alexandra Petrachko was runner-up with 88-80–168.
“It’s awesome,” said Leah, who said it “ranks right up there” with being part of the Hickory High girls golf team that qualified for the PIAA State Tournament last season for the first time ever. “Both were enthralling.”
“It’s crazy,” continued Leah, who was the top girl finisher last year. “My goal coming in was to keep low on the radar and play my game and just have a couple of good rounds. I was a little nervous today (leading by 6 strokes after the opening round Thursday). I felt the pressure, but I tried not to get too carried away and just play my game.”
Alexandra pointed out: “I felt about the same as her, I just wanted to play the best I could. I didn’t play my best yesterday, but I played better today.”
It was a big day for girls, as third place went to Hickory’s McKenzie Gustas with 89-82–171. Leah said she is looking forward to two years from now when Alexandra can join McKenzie and her on the Hickory team and make another run at a state title.
Other scores were: David Dennis, 88-85–173; Ryan Knott, 81-85–174; Conner Evans, 94-97–191. Cameron Colbert was forced to withdraw when he contracted strep throat after the opening round.
“It was a history day, pretty cool,” said Tam O’Shanter Director of Golf John Kerins, pointing out that the institution of the PGA rule allowing girls to play at 85 percent length on holes as compared to boys makes an impact.
“It’s a good rule and the way it should be,” said Herald Publisher Sharon Sorg, beaming at the thought of girls finishing at the top of the tournament. After all, she is the first female publisher at The Herald that’s history dates back more than a century and a half.
“This is great for girls golf,” said Kerins. “I think Shelley Sanders (who went on to a pro career) finished third once. But what an opportunity for girls to go to college on scholarships to play golf.
“The numbers were down this year, but the competitiveness and sportsmanship were still there.”
NOTES: Leah, who started playing in tournaments at the age of 11 or 12, is the daughter of Ed and Gina Benson and takes lessons from Scott Bradley at Hidden Oaks. Alexandra, who began tourney competition at age 8 or 9, is a daughter of Constantine and Jana Petrachko and trains at Avalon Lakes.
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Herald-Tamie Champions
2019 – Leah Benson
2018 – Conner Stevens
2017 – Conner Stevens
2016 – Conner Stevens
2015 – Conner Stevens
2014 – Jacob Wilson
2013 — Billy Colbert
2012 — Billy Colbert
2011 — Billy Colbert
2010 — Dante Vetica
2009 — Dante Vetica
2008 — Eric Grasso
2007 — Michael Klaric III
2006 — Michael Klaric III
2005 — Ryan Miller
2004 — Steve Killa
2003 — Michael Klaric III
2002 — Michael Klaric III
2001 — David Gibb
2000 — John Matune
1999 — Mike Kasula
1998 — Mike Kasula
1997 — Pete Sirianni Jr.
1996 — Pete Sirianni Jr.
1995 — Matt Kolbrich
1994 — Phil Puleo
1993 — Lew Rosa
1992 — Lew Rosa
1991 — Paul Reichard
1990 — Robert Liptak
1989 — Josh Galicia
1988 — Brent Blaus
1987 — Brent Blaus
1986 — Jim Wassil
1985 — Andy Wagner
1984 — Dave Chuba
1983 — Dave Chuba
1982 — Scott Gladysz
1981 — Dave Chuba
1980 — Mark Alexander
1979 — Ed Zebroski
1978 — Dennis Dolci
1977 — Rich Volansky
1976 — Dennis Dolci
1975 — Jim Kirsch
1974 — John Kerins
1973 — John Zebroski
1972 — John Zebroski
1971 — Lynn Jones
1970 — Nick Dzurinda
1969 — Andy Klutcher
1968 — Eddie Wells
1967 — Andy Klutcher
1966 — Howard Bolotin
1965 — Joe Thiel
1964 — Jim Wildman
1963 — Bob Thomas
1962 — Bob Thomas
1961 — Bob Thomas
1960 — Johnny Kahl
1959 — Ron Kurtz
1958 — Lou Rotunno
1957 — Mickey Alexander
1956 — Pat Wildman
1955 — Dave Gingold
1954 — Bud Swogger
1953 — Bill Rielly
1952 — Pat Rielly
1951 — Pat Rielly
1950 — Bob Savko
1949 — Bob Wise