Event: 17^th Carolinas Young Amateur Championship

Host Site: Mid South Club, Southern Pines, N.C.

Playing Dates: Jan 5-6, 2026

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

 

Related: Championship Website | Scoring | History | Photos

By Damon Bennett

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Jake Lewis of Cary, N.C. and Sydney Roberts of Chesnee, S.C. took home the titles in their respective divisions at the 17^th Carolinas Young Amateur Championship at Mid South Club on Tuesday.

In the Men’s division, 12 players found their way under par in the first round. Robert Thompson of Charlotte, N.C. led the field with a 64. After a slight frost delay, Thompson, who plays for Hillsdale College, recorded nine birdies and two bogeys to reach seven-under. Pierre De Caevel of Florence, S.C. and Lewis both sat two strokes behind Thompson after round one.

Round 1 Men’s Leaderboard

1. Robert Thompson (-7)

2. Pierre De Caevel (-5)

T2. Jake Lewis (-5)

T4. Lucas Acevado (-3)

T4. Teddy Dunn (-3)

T4. Chase Myers (-3)

The second round brought lower scores, and the leaderboard was shaken up almost immediately. Thompson had two bogeys and two birdies in the first nine holes, De Caevel was four-over and Lewis had three birdies for the second time in a row to jump into the lead.

“I played really well, I putted really well, and seeing Robert shoot seven-under in the first round, I knew the low round was out there,” Lewis said.

After 27 holes, the competition was still close. Lucas Acevedo of Charleston, S.C. went four-under in his final nine holes to jump into second place. Thompson was within one stroke of Lewis until an eagle on No. 15 vaulted Lewis ahead by three. Thompson went on to birdie Nos. 16 and 17, but Lewis sealed his victory with a bogey-free 65 to finish 11-under.

“I got off to a good start on day two, I just tried to stay with it within myself and do what I do,” Lewis said. “It feels good to have a confidence boost with a win like this.”

Final Men’s Leaderboard

1. Jake Lewis (-11)

T2. Robert Thompson (-8)

T2. Lucas Acevado (-8)

4. Teddy Dunn (-7)

T5. Connor Warren (-5)

T5. Owen Kose (-5)

In the Women’s division, Clemson’s Roberts was the only player to shoot under par in the first round, firing a bogey-free 69 to lead the field by three strokes after 18 holes. Ona Lukes and Katie Vu of Chapel Hill, N.C. both shot 72 to sit in a tie for second.

Round 1 Women’s Leaderboard

1. Sydney Roberts (-2)

T2. Ona Lukes (+1)

T2. Katie Vu (+1)

T4. Hannah Altman (+3)

T4. Haley Paramore (+3)

T4. Kasey McIlvaine (+3)

In the second round, Roberts recorded a birdie on No. 4, but notched bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7. Jillian Fatkin of Oak Island, N.C., played the first nine holes at two-under par and climbed the leaderboard quickly. Fatkin recorded a birdie and bogey each on her last nine holes, finishing as the only player to shoot under par in round two with a 69.

Roberts retained her lead through 27 holes, and a par on eight out of nine holes to finish was more than enough for a wire-to-wire win for the Clemson senior.

Final Women’s Leaderboard

1. Sydney Roberts (E)

2. Jillian Fatkin (+3)

T3. Hannah Altman (+6)

T3. Ellen Yo (+6)

T3. Haley Paramore (+6)

T3. Kasey McIlvaine (+6)

“I think just trying to battle through the coldness and the wind was what I did,” Roberts said. “I putted pretty well yesterday, didn’t putt as well today but I hung in there.”

Roberts won the Carolinas Young Amateur in 2024 as well, becoming the third player to win the Women’s division two times in three years.

“I think it’s good momentum, a good boost of confidence heading into my last semester at Clemson, so I’m super excited for what’s in store this spring.

The Carolinas Golf Association would like to thank the staff of Mid South Club for their hospitality and hosting a fantastic championship atmosphere.