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Highlands Today

Summer Tees Off At Bagwell

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNEY ATTRACTS STRONG FIELD

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Taylor Bruno of Loxahatchee is just one of several top junior golfers who have played in the Bagwell Invitational in Avon Park.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: June 3, 2008

AVON PARK — Junior golfers in the Heartland will celebrate the first weekend of summer vacation by participating in the prestigious Bagwell Junior Invitational on Saturday and Sunday at River Greens Golf Course.

The 39th annual golf tournament is set for two-days, and the 36-hole, stroke-play event features some of the top junior golfers (ages 12-18) in the state.

Defending boys champion Cory Meade from Haines City and defending girls champion Kelsey Gibson from Thonotasassa are in the field.

"We've got a strong field set for the tournament," said River Greens professional Jason Beatty. "We've got both defending champions, as well as local standouts Rocky Khara, Greg Gentry, Blake Liles and Clay Davis."

Meade won last year's event with rounds of 67-70-137, while Gibson won with rounds of 74-74-148.
The tight and demanding River Greens layout is in great shape after the recent rains, and Beatty thinks the scores might be a little higher this year.

"We're going to set the course up at 6,100 yards, and with the rains we've had the rough is higher," Beatty said. "The course is in great shape and it should play a little longer and maybe a couple of strokes harder.
"I think we may put the pins in tougher positions and it's going to take accuracy off the tee and a good short game to score well."

The Bagwell Invitational was founded in 1970 by Tommy and Lois Bagwell to help promote junior golf in Highlands County as well as throughout the state.

Former participants on the boys side include PGA stars John Huston, Nolan Henke, two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen and rising star Ryuji Imada, who won the Bagwell from 1992-1994.

Former girls division winners include LPGA player Amy Benz and 2004 champion, 12-year-old Alexis Thompson from Coral Gables.

Entries are still being accepted and the cost to play in the tournament is $55, which includes a practice round, two tournament rounds, hot dogs, drinks and a meal on Sunday during the awards ceremony.

"We have room for more golfers, especially girls," said Beatty. "This tournament used to be one of the top junior events in the state and I would like to see it return to that status.
"It should be an outstanding weekend and we're looking forward to a great tournament."

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