WEST END, NC (7/27/09) - With 2008 winner Michael Marshburn of Cary, NC out of this year's competition, it will be difficult to pick a favorite when the 60th Junior Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association is played July 28-30 at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst.

Last year at the Chechessee Club in Okatie, SC, Marshburn shot 72-69-71--212 to tie Mark Joye of Columbia. Then, on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff Marshburn made a birdie to claim the title.

Michael McGowan of Southern Pines, NC, the No. 2-ranked junior in North Carolina, is certainly a possible choice to succeed Marshburn. McGowan, son of former PGA Tour professional Pat McGowan, won the N.C. Independent Schools 2-A state championship earlier this year.

Third-ranked Andy Knox of Cary, NC, who won the North Carolina Junior Championship in June, is also a strong candidate to become the third straight junior from Cary to win the title. Lee Bedford of Cary won the 2007 crown at Hope Valley CC in Durham, NC.

Other potential champions include Cory Taylor of Greer, SC and Cody Proveaux of Leesville, who rank No. 5 and No.6 in the Palmetto State; Zach Lawing of Lincolnton, NC and Stuart McGoogan of Charlotte, whose 70s led the 10 successful qualifiers at Hidden Valley CC in Gaston, SC on July 20; and Luke Haithcock of Burlington, NC, whose 70 led the 20 successful qualifiers at the CC of Johnston County in Smithfield, NC on July 23.

The 54-hole stroke play tournament will be staged on the CC of North Carolina's famed Dogwood course, which was designed by the late Ellis Maples and opened in 1963. In addition to previously hosting 19 Carolinas Golf Association championships over the years, the club has also been the site of six South Amateur Championships and the 1980 U.S. Amateur. It was recently announced that the 2010 U.S. Junior Girls' Championship will be played on the Dogwood course.

The par-72 course will play at 7,098 yards for the 14-15 and 16-18 age divisions, at 5,906 yards for the 12-13 age bracket and at 5,338 yards for the 11-and-under group.

Trophies are awarded to the overall champion and to the winner, runnerup and third-place finisher in each division. The overall champion and runnerup will be invited to play on the Carolinas team that will compete against a similar team from the Virginias in their annual matches, which will be played Aug. 14-16 at Boonsboro CC in Lynchburg, VA.

The CGA received 310 applications for the championship -- 261 in the 14-18 age groups, 39 in the 12-13 bracket and 10 in the 11-and-under group.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Country Club of North Carolina, Dogwood

1600 Morganton Road

Pinehurst, NC 28374

Phone: (910) 692-6771

DATES

July 28-30

2008 CHAMPION

Michael Marshburn, Cary, NC

FORMAT

The championship is conducted at 54 holes of stroke play for the 12-13, 14-15, and 16-18 divisions and 27 holes of stroke play for the 11 and under division. The 12-13 and 11-and-under divisions play shortened courses. The champion is the low scorer in the two upper age groups. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low half and ties in each age division, except the 11-and-under bracket.

ELIGIBILITY

Entry is open to any male amateur golfer who has not reached his 19th birthday by the last day of the championship, has not started college, is a legal resident of one of the Carolinas, and the junior golfer, parent or guardian is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association.

SCHEDULE OF ROUNDS

Monday, July 27

Course open for practice.

Tuesday, July 28

First round: 18 holes of stroke play for older divisions.

Nine holes for 11 and under age divisions.

Wednesday, July 29

Second round: 18 holes of stroke play for older divisions. Field cut in half. Nine holes for 11 and under age divisions.

Thursday, July 30

Final round. (All age divisions)

PRIZES

Trophies are awarded to the winners, second-place and third-place finishers in each division. The low two scorers in the 14-18 division qualify to represent the CGA in the Carolinas-Virginias Junior Team Matches, Aug. 14-16 at Boonsboro CC in Lynchburg, VA. An on-course playoff Is used to break a tie for the overall championship and a tie for a position on the Carolinas junior team.

PAST CHAMPIONS

Date Winner Score Site

1949 William Parker, Charlotte, NC, 148, Charlotte CC 1950 No championship

1951 Lester Ward, Badin, NC, 2 up, Charlotte CC

1952 Eric Jonas, Charlotte, NC 5 & 4 Myers Park CC

1953 George Warren III, Hampton, SC, 2 & 1, Charlotte CC

1954 Bobby McCarty, Camden, SC, 3 & 2, Myers Park CC

1955 Larry Beck, Kinston, NC, 2 & 1, Charlotte CC

1956 Larry Beck, Kinston, NC, 2 up, Myers Park CC

1957 Larry Beck, Kinston, NC, 4 & 2, Charlotte CC

1958 Don Hedrick, Lexington, NC, 5 & 3, CC of Salisbury

1959 Buddy Baker, Florence, SC, 5 & 4, CC of Salisbury

1960 Bobby Thomas, Greenville, NC, 2 & 1, UNC Finley GC

1961 Jay Langston, Rock Hill, SC, 5 & 4, UNC Finley GC

1962 Leonard Thompson, Laurinburg, NC, 4 & 3, Forest Lake Club

1963 Jack Lewis Jr., Florence, SC, 3 & 2, UNC Finley GC

1964 Jack Lewis Jr., Florence, SC, 5 & 3, Mimosa Hills G&CC

1965 Jack Lewis Jr., Florence, SC, 2 up, CC of Orangeburg

1966 Mike Kallam, Winston-Salem, NC, 7 & 6, Duke University GC

1967 Billy Wilkins, Chapel Hill, NC, 4 & 3, Lan-Yair CC

1968 Mike Crowley, Spartanburg, SC, 5 & 4, CC of Salisbury

1969 David Thore, Reidsville, NC, 4 & 3, Florence CC

1970 David Thore, Reidsville, NC, 20 holes, UNC Finley GC

1971 Kenneth Dye Jr., Fayetteville, NC, 2 up, Greenville CC

1972 Chip Beck, Fayetteville, NC, 4 & 2, CC of Salisbury

1973 Chip Beck, Fayetteville, NC, 1 up, Florence CC

1974 Tom Reynolds, Raleigh, NC, 3 & 2, Duke University GC\

1975 Jim McNair Jr., Aiken, SC, 3 & 1, CC of Salisbury

1976 Bob Aydelette, Greensboro, NC, 217, Midland Valley CC

1977 Tom Knox, Greensboro, NC, 217, Catawba CC*

1978 Troy Haynes, Raleigh, NC, 212, Rolling Hills CC

1979 Dillard Pruitt, Greenville, SC, 218, Santee Cooper CC

1980 Dennis Hart, Charlotte, NC, 222, Rolling Hills CC

1981 Dink Wannamaker, Georgetown, SC, 211, Florence CC

1982 Francis Ciucevich, Charlotte, NC, 216, Rolling Hills CC

1983 Mike Thigpen, Bishopville, SC, 208, Greensboro CC

1984 Mitchell Perry, Spring Lake, NC, 213, Cobb's Glen CC

1985 Randy Adams, Rock Hill, SC, 214, Rolling Hills CC

1986 Brian Craig, Gastonia, NC, 218, Lake Marion GC

1987 Jason Widener, Greensboro, NC, 208, Greensboro CC Farm Course

1988 Jason Widener, Greensboro, NC, 140, Rolling Hills CC#

1989 Mike Byce, Spartanburg, SC, 212, Florence CC

1990 Alex Hooper, Reidsville, NC, 220, Sedgefield CC

1991 Tommy Biershenk, Inman, SC, 216, Keith Hills CC

1992 Scott Newton, High Point, NC, 222, Carmel CC*

1993 Frankie Hamer, Moncks Corner, SC, 215, CC of Charleston

1994 Rob Simmons, Walterboro, SC, 212, Carolina CC

1995 Jonathan Byrd, Columbia, SC, 212, High Point CC-Willow Creek

1996 Kyle Thompson, Easley, SC, 216, Woodside Plantation-Wisteria

1997 Edward Moseley, Spartanburg, SC, 212, Pinehurst Plantation GC*

1998 Brent DelaHoussaye, Greer, SC, 217, Santee Cooper Resort

1999 Bill Haas, Greer, SC, 204, Birkdale GC

2000 Brian Duncan, Greenville, SC, 204, Green Valley CC

2001 Weston Way, Liberty, NC, 208, Greensboro CC, Irving Park

2002 Sean Moore, Marshville, NC, 209, CC of South Carolina

2003 Zack Byrd, Calabash, NC, 209, Greenville G&CC*

2004 Vince Hatfield, Greenwood, SC, 133, Pebble Creek Golf Club#

2005 Vince Hatfield, Greenwood, SC, 199, Greensboro CC (Irving Park)*

2006 Will Ovenden, Spartanburg, SC, 204, Colleton River (Dye Course)

2007 Lee Bedford, Cary, NC, 202, Hope Valley, Durham, NC

2008 Michael Marshburn, Cary, NC, 212m Chechessee Creek*

* Won in playoff. # Rain shortened. Stroke play in 1949 and since 1976.

COUNTRY CLUB OF NORTH CAROLINA INFORMATION DIRECTOR OF GOLF: Jeff Dotson HEAD PROFESSIONAL: Chris Kushner COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Ron Kelly COURSE DESCRIPTION: Ranked No. 5 this year among the Top 100 Courses in North Carolina, the Dogwood course is visually magnificent and a strong challenge for the very best players. With a number of water hazards, many gaping bunkers and large rolling greens, players must be accurate and must think their way around this tree-lined layout. It will host the 2010 U.S.

Junior Girls' Championship.

ARICHITECT: Ellis Maples/Willard Byrd

OPENED: 1963

TYPE COURSE: Private

YARDAGE & PAR:

Boys Ages 14-15 and 16-18: 7,098 yards, par 72

Rating/Slope: 74.7/133

Boys Ages 12-13: 5,906 yards, par 72

Rating/Slope: 68.6/125

Boys 11 and Under: 5,338 yards, par 72

FAIRWAYS & TEES: Bermuda grass

GREENS: Bentgrass

CGA CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CC OF NC's DOGWOOD COURSE: 1969, 1984, 2004 Carolinas Amateur; 1965, 1967, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979 N.C. Amateur; 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 Carolinas-Virginias Junior Team Matches.

MAP & DIRECTIONS: