Event: 20th Vicki DiSantis Junior Girls’ Championship
Host Site: Stonebridge Golf Club, Monroe, N.C.
Playing Dates: May 6–8, 2025
Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

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MONROE, N.C. (May 8, 2025) – Calm, consistent, and clutch down the stretch, Juno Taino of Pinehurst, N.C., delivered a wire-to-wire victory at the 20th Vicki DiSantis Junior Girls’ Championship, finishing at 9-under-par total for the championship at Stonebridge Golf Club in Mornoe, N.C..

Taino, a member of the Class of 2029, opened with rounds of 4-under 68 and even-par 72 during Saturday’s 36-hole doubleheader. On Mother’s Day Sunday, with rain clouds looming and pressure mounting, she posted the low round of the tournament — a 5-under 67 — to secure the title by one shot over Emerson B. Dever of Durham, N.C.

“My ball striking was pretty good today,” said Taino. “I stayed calm and learned from my experience last week where I didn’t finish strong. That helped me stay focused and finish the round with just one bogey.”

Taino’s final score of 207 was one better than Dever’s 208. Dever, a 2025 graduate, also carded a 67 in the final round, making for a thrilling duel atop the leaderboard. Charlotte’s Elizabeth Guthrie (Class of 2028) finished third at 2-under 214 after an opening-round 69.

The field featured many of the Carolinas’ most promising junior girls, and weather played a major role as well. Players completed 36 holes on Saturday in warm, breezy conditions. On Sunday, intermittent rain settled into the Monroe area, but all groups completed play without interruption.

“I’m actually leaving Tuesday for another tournament, so I won’t have much time to celebrate,” Taino added. “But I’ll take tomorrow off, hang out with my brothers, and celebrate Mother’s Day with my mom.”

First held in 2005, the Vicki DiSantis Junior Girls’ Championship is named in honor of longtime CGA volunteer and past president Vicki DiSantis, a champion of junior golf across the Carolinas. The event has grown into one of the CGA’s most prestigious junior championships for girls, offering a competitive and welcoming atmosphere for rising players to shine.

As players hugged their moms and posed for photos on the 18th green, this year’s tournament served as both a celebration of junior golf and a fitting tribute to the families behind the players — especially the moms who help make it all possible.

The Carolinas Golf Association would like to extend its sincere thanks to the staff at Stonebridge Golf Club for their hospitality and support throughout the championship. Special appreciation goes to Nick Jacobi, General Manager, and the entire golf operations, agronomy, and food & beverage teams for their efforts in delivering a top-tier experience for players, families, and spectators alike. Their commitment to junior golf helped make the 20th Vicki DiSantis Junior Girls’ Championship a memorable and meaningful event.

Event: 39th N.C. Senior Amateur Championship

Host Site: Country Club of Salisbury, Salisbury, N.C.

Playing Dates: May 6-8, 2025

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

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SALISBURY, N.C. (May 9, 2025) – Jeffrey Lankford of Mocksville, N.C., captured the 39th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship in commanding fashion on Friday, finishing at 4-under-par 209 total for the week at the Country Club of Salisbury in Salisbury, N.C.

Lankford’s stellar second-round of 5-under 66 proved to be the difference-maker. He posted a 72-66-71 over three rounds to finish five shots clear of a three-way tie for second. It marks his first CGA individual title.

“Tee to green was pretty solid, that's normally my game,” said Lankford. “Even though I'm a member here, the course is so demanding. I made some putts and stayed out of trouble for the most part, which is the key out here.”

He plans to celebrate in classic fashion: “I'm going to go have about two or three transfusions with my buddies and my family,” Lankford said with a grin.

Three players finished in a tie for second place at 1-over-par 214 including Paul Jett of Southern Pines, N.C., Jay Barnes of Charlotte, N.C. and Jonathan Sielsky of Huntersville, N.C. Jett climbed the board with rounds of 73-70-71, while Barnes rode a second-round 2-under 69 into contention before finishing with a 3-over 74. Sielsky opened strong with a 1-under 70 and remained steady throughout the week.

Five players tied for fifth at 2-over 215, including Scott Park of Charlotte, N.C., James Pearson of Charlotte, N.C.  and Larry Cloninger of Gastonia, N.C., all of whom posted rounds of 72 or better in the final round to hold position.

Salisbury Country Club, playing to a par of 71, tested the full field with its narrow fairways, subtle greens, and demanding approach shots. Lankford’s local knowledge and consistent play gave him a winning edge in a week where staying out of trouble was key.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its sincere thanks to the staff and membership of Salisbury Country Club for their outstanding hospitality and support throughout the week. Special thanks to Head Golf Professional Chad Campbell, Golf Course Superintendents Ron Bivins and Gerry Moree, General Manager Isaac Davis, Membership Liason Angie Phifer and Food & Beverage Manager Erin D. Atwood for their support in hosting the 39th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship. 

Event: 74th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship

Host Site: Camden Country Club, Camden, S.C.

Playing Dates: May 1-5, 2025

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

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CAMDEN, S.C. (May 4, 2025) – Stephen Lavenets of Willow Spring, N.C. and Patrick Stephenson of Columbia, S.C. rallied late in the final match of the 74th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship at Camden Country Club, to secure their first CGA title as a team.

The former ECU golfers delivered clutch performances as the No. 25 seed throughout the match play bracket, including a come-from-behind victory in the championship match. Trailing by two with five holes to play, the duo birdied 15 and 18 to defeat the No. 2 seed side of Harrison Rhoades and John Pitt of Raleigh, N.C., who held the lead for most of the final match.

“This is why I wake up in the morning thinking about golf,” said an emotional Lavenets after the win. “You saw me getting emotional. This is why I go out in my backyard with my son and chip golf balls. It's to win a CGA championship, to win something big. I've seen all my buddies do it, and I wanted one.”

The road to the title was anything but easy. After opening with a 71 in the first round of stroke play qualifying, Lavenets and Stephenson needed a big round to secure a spot in the match play bracket. They delivered just that in round two, with Stephenson carding a 65 on his own ball to help the team post a 63 and advance. From there, every match went the distance, including two that extended into extra holes.

"We were under the gun from day one," said Levenets. "We bogeyed the first hole. We were under the gun from the start. We went back home. We knew we had to fire a round. (Pat) balled out the first three or four days on his own. I was nowhere. And then the last couple days, I showed up and played some golf, and that’s what helped us out.” 

That grind paid off. Facing a tied match on the 18th tee in the final match, Lavenets came through in the clutch once more, securing the birdie that gave them their only lead of the match and the championship.

“I felt like this was our moment,” said Lavenets. “Even two weeks ago or earlier this week, I was standing over shots thinking really bad thoughts. But I got over that one thinking, ‘This might be our only shot. Got to hit one well.’”

“It’s so much more fun with a partner,” Stephenson added. “Honestly, the last couple of days, I almost wanted it more for Steve than for myself. We had someone in our ear all day, grinding together. It just means more. We play all year and you don’t always get a win in golf. To make clutch putts, win matches on the last hole, and do it together, that’s pretty special.”

Even in the final match, they never led until the final hole. Rhoades and Pitt held the advantage most of the way, leading by two after 13. But Lavenets and Stephenson refused to go quietly.

“We were in the cart just saying, ‘Let’s get one,’” Lavenets said. “If we could get one, we felt like we could get another. They beat us up and down all day. But every chance we had to win a hole, we took it.”

“They opened the door on 14,” said Stephenson. “I hit a great chip shot off the hardpan and Steve had a great putt to win the hole. That was where the momentum shifted. If I duff that chip or Steve misses, they probably ride that to the finish. But we took advantage when it counted.”

The team credited their comfort level at Camden as a key factor. They advanced deep in the bracket here in 2024 as well, with several matches going beyond 18 holes.

“Even last year, we went 21 holes, 23 holes, 18 holes,” Lavenets said. “We’re comfortable here. We’ve done it.”

And their connection to Camden runs deep. “Today felt like Camden,” said Lavenets. “Earlier in the week we were asking ourselves where to land the golf ball just to keep it on the green because it was spinning backwards. But by today, the balls were jumping forward again. This place is home. I’ve got so many group chats with my buddies just saying, ‘Let’s go home.’ And it’s because we’re driving here. We love this place.”

The CGA would like to thank the staff and membership at Camden Country Club for their outstanding hospitality and support throughout the 74th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship. Special appreciation goes to General Manager Wayne Watts, PGA Professional Matthew McCarley, Superintendent Nick Price, and the entire team at Camden Country Club.

Larry Cloniger and Mark Hodges claim the 57th Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship

Event: 57th Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship

Host Site: ​Rock Hill Country Club, Rock Hill, S.C.

Playing Dates: April 15-17, 2025

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

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ROCK HILL, S.C. (April 17, 2025) — Larry Cloniger of Gastonia, N.C., and Mark Hodges of Belmont, N.C., claimed the 57th Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship at Rock Hill Country Club with rounds of 67-65-64 for a 20-under-par total of 196.

After opening with a 5-under 67 in windy conditions, the duo surged to the top of the leaderboard with bogey-free rounds on Wednesday and Thursday to win by four shots.

“Well, the last two days, no bogeys,” Cloniger said. “One bogey in three days, which was big. Especially the first day with the wind… it was unbelievable. So, one bogey on the first day, and we cleaned it up the rest of the way in.”

Their final-round 8-under-par 64 was the lowest score of the day, fueled by steady putting and Hodges’ sharp approach play.

“I’ve never seen somebody hit so many hybrids to inside of ten feet in my life,” Cloniger said. “My partner was wearing it out.”

Cloniger and Hodges have been a familiar duo in CGA events for years. In 2023, they broke through for their first CGA team title together at the 22nd North Carolina Senior Four-Ball Championship at Pinewild Country Club. 

Jay Barnes of Charlotte, N.C., and Kyle Brown of Indian Trail, N.C., finished runner-up at 16-under-par 200 after leading with an 8-under 64 in the opening round.

Rock Hill Country Club, founded in 1934, once again proved to be a championship-caliber venue with its classic layout and firm, fast conditions.

Special thanks to the members and staff at Rock Hill Country Club for hosting the 57th Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship including Head Golf Professional Nick Stafford, Assistant Golf Professional Cameron Hall, Superintendent Bobby Sabour, and Food & Beverage Manager Kat Denio.