Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Show goes on at Sage Valley as Jackson Van Paris wins Junior Invitational

Written by 
Published in Golf
Saturday, 14 March 2020 09:36

“It was really, really strange.”

In the middle of a three-and-a-half-hour car ride from Graniteville, South Carolina, to his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Jackson Van Paris had plenty of time to process what had just happened.

His two-shot victory Saturday at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley was the biggest triumph of the 16-year-old’s young career, but it was also the most bizarre.

As most of competitive golf stood still amid a coronavirus pandemic, the prestigious junior tournament pushed forward.

Van Paris played just nine holes Saturday, Sage Valley’s front side, carding four birdies in his final six holes to shoot 5-under 67 and race past his competition, the majority of whom were completing play on the back nine on a spectator-less course.

“I’m speechless right now, to be honest,” Van Paris said. “I never really thought I was going to win until I came off the ninth green and I was like ‘Oh wow, I have a chance to win this thing.’”

He almost didn’t. As the sports world experienced mass cancellations and postponements because of COVID-19 concerns, including the PGA Tour canceling The Players and four other events and the Masters pushing back its tournament to a later date, the status of the Junior Invitational was also in doubt after Thursday’s opening round, which was open to the public, went off as normal.

 “We weren’t sure what was going to happen,” said Van Paris, who was getting ready for his second-round tee time Friday morning when his roommate knocked on the bathroom door and told Van Paris that his starting time had been moved up nearly two hours.

Instead of cancelling the remaining two rounds, tournament officials decided to continue with the tournament, though will some alterations. The schedule was changed to include 27 holes on Friday followed by a nine-hole finish Saturday, with only players, parents and essential personnel allowed inside the gates at the ultra-private club, where the competitors, 54 from around the globe, stay together in on-site cottages, about 12 to a residence, and are prohibited from leaving the grounds. (Players weren’t specifically tested for the coronavirus upon arriving at the beginning of the week, but they were screened.)

“We were very isolated,” Van Paris said.

Van Paris totaled 10 birdies in 27 holes Friday to set up a four-shot comeback on Saturday. Luke Potter, who bogeyed each of his last three holes, held on for a second-place finish at 7 under while Michael Brennan, Maxwell Moldovan and Tyler Wilkes tied for third at 6 under.

Top-ranked juniors Joe Pagdin (rib) and Karl Vilips (finger) had to withdraw from the event because of injuries. Their timetables for returning are uncertain.

Van Paris doesn’t know when he’ll compete again, either. He was supposed to play in the Azalea Invitational in Charleston, South Carolina, at the end of the month, but he expects that to be canceled or postponed. He also heard that the AJGA Thunderbird Invitational, set for April 9-12 at Grayhawk Golf Club, will likely be postponed. (Grayhawk was supposed to host the NCAA Championships in late May before the NCAA canceled all winter and spring sports for the rest of the season. The AJGA has yet to announce any cancellations or postponements.)

“We don’t know when our next tournament’s going to be,” said Van Paris, “so to end with a win is a great feeling.”

Read 2088 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated