Kinnunen Wins the 76th Carolinas Jr Boys’ Championship
South Carolina Native Owen Kinnunen Wins the 76th Carolinas Jr Boys’ Championship in a 4-way Playoff, Qualifies for the US Junior Amateur
Event: 76th Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship
Host Site: Pinehurst No. 6, Pinehurst, N.C
Playing Dates: June 24-26, 2025
Social Media: @CGAgolf1909
Related: Championship Website | Scoring | Photos
By Mae O'neill, CGA Media Intern
PINEHURST, N.C. (June 27, 2025) -- After three steamy days at Pinehurst No. 6, Owen Kinnunen of Taylors, S.C., emerged from a four-player playoff to win the 76th Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship at 10-under 203. The victory also secures his spot in the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur.
The competition opened on Pinehurst Country Club (No. 6) in Pinehurst, N.C. on Tuesday with an early lead in the morning wave by Bennett Scaletta of Belton, S.C. With an exceptional round, he carded a 3-under, 68 to take the early lead after the morning wave. However, Davis Wotnosky of Wake Forest, N.C. teed off in the afternoon, and with eight birdies took solo first place at the end of round one with the low score of the day (and tournament) of 7-under, 64.
Wednesday brought the second round of play, 110-degree heat, and severe thunderstorm warnings. Due to severe lightning and the possibility of hail in the immediate Pinehurst area, round 2 was suspended twice before play officially suspended for the day. Round 2 resumed early on Thursday morning.
Despite the challenging conditions, strong rounds came in from Scaletta, Kinnunen, and Pinehurst native Colby Hutchens—each carding a 3-under, 68. The low round of the day, a 6-under, 65, belonged to Keane Taino of Pinehurst, N.C., who tallied six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 6th hole.
Round 3 began at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start, and the competition was just as competitive as the first two rounds. Scaletta, Wotnosky, and Kinnunen all teed off in the same pairing, and the three went back and forth with the lead (or shares of it) throughout the first 16 holes. On the 17th hole, Wotnosky made a birdie to take a one-shot lead into the final hole of the championship, however a costly bogey on no. 18 and pars by both Kinnunen and Scaletta put them all at 10-under overall for the championship and forced a playoff.
An eagle on the par-5 15th hole by the fourth member of that pairing, Jack Halloran of Pinehurst, N.C., brought him closer to the leaders, however it was ultimately his Pinecrest teammate, Hutchens, who came from behind to match the final score of 10-under and earn his place in the playoff. Hutchens final round score of 6-under 65 was the lowest recorded final round score. Kinnunen, Scaletta, and Hutchens were three of the seven players who shot under par all three days of the tournament.
Scaletta, Kinnunen, Hutchens, and Wotnosky all battled in a playoff to determine the tournament champion. Scaletta and Hutchens each made solid pars, while Kinnunen stepped up with an approach shot that landed within six feet of the pin. He sank his birdie putt to secure the victory and cap off an exciting tournament.
While in the hunt for the title all week, Kinnunen never actually took a piece of the lead until the 18th green.
“I felt like I kept myself in it, kept myself in a good headspace, and just kept grinding all week,” he said when asked about his mentality and thought process playing in such a competitive tournament. Kinnunen recently graduated high school and is committed to play college golf at Southern Wesleyan University in Clemson, S.C. in the fall.
The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to the staff and membership of Pinehurst Country Club and Pinehurst No. 6 for their support and hospitality throughout the week. Special thanks to Head Golf Professional Adam Parrish, the entire grounds crew, agronomy team at No. 6, and the entire staff for helping host the 76th Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship.