AAU Golf Snares the Local News’ Eye
July 23rd, 2009
**Original story found at Timesnews.net**
KINGSPORT — They wander into the scoring room wearing bright-collared shirts and nervous expressions. As they turn in their scorecards, a few heads hang low while others smile in hopes that they shot well enough for a top spot.
This group of competitive 6- to 14-year-old boys has gathered from around the country at Cattails at MeadowView to participate in the AAU Golf 14-Under National Championship.
David Germann, 14, of Clayton, N.C., shot a solid 73 on Monday to lead the 14-under set.
“On the first hole I made a birdie,” Germann said, “That was a great way to start out the round.”
That it was. Germann came in under par in the front nine, posting a 35.
The rising sophomore placed fourth in last year’s nationals and may have a chance at first this year — unless some luck kicks in again for Rhyne Jones.
Jones trailed Germann with a 74 on Monday — but Sunday’s round was really special. The lucky 14-year-old from Blowing Rock, N.C., who came to town early to get in some practice, hit his first hole-in-one on none other than Cattails’ No. 13, a par 4.
“I was shocked,” Jones said shyly about his once- in-a-lifetime shot.
“It landed short of the green and rolled onto the edge of the cup. As we went down to it, it fell in.”
Only his third summer playing golf, Jones began visiting the greens as an alternative.
“I broke my elbow playing baseball and I didn’t want to stop playing sports,” he said.
The competition is sure to be a dogfight to the finish, with several close contenders to Germann and Jones. Mason Fox of Sarasota, Fla., also shot a 74, followed by Benji Schlottman with a 75 and Walter Smith with a 77.
Shelby, N.C., native Elliott Grayson shot a 77 to lead the 12-under group while a pair of 79s were tallied by Alec Velasco of Waynesville, Ohio, and Kingsport’s James Beckner.
Andrew Johnson of Springfield, Va., put up an 83 in dominating the 10-under division.
Collier Curr of Bowling Green, Ky., led the 8-under set, which played only the front nine holes. The 7-year-old came in under par with a 35, followed by Orlando, Fla.’s Tyler Pham (39).
Click here for mid tournament photos
