WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 27, 2025) – Ellie Hildreth of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., emerged victorious at the 29th North Carolina Junior Girls’ Championship, firing a final-round 68 to finish at 1-over 217 total for the week and claim the title at Pine Valley Country Club in Wilmington, N.C.

Hildreth entered the final round five shots off the lead but delivered a lights-out performance when it mattered most. With a tournament low score and five birdies on the card, she climbed five spots up the leaderboard to earn her first CGA championship.

“I knew I had a good chance if I got off to a good start—just had to make as many birdies as possible,” Hildreth said about heading into the final day. “That was kind of the mindset: if I could do it, then great. But if not, there are always other opportunities.”

Hildreth posted rounds of 75-74-68 to complete the comeback, crediting improved ball-striking and putting in the final round as key to her success.

“I hit a lot of really good approach shots and gave myself a lot of chances,” she said. “I made some good putts, and that really helped.”

Despite the win, the path to the title wasn’t without obstacles. Hildreth acknowledged struggles early in the week, particularly with her short game.

“The first two days I wasn't really on my A-game, so it was a little bit of a struggle to get the ball in the hole here and there,” she said. “My chipping wasn’t great, but I managed to get it done.”

The tournament week was marked by extreme summer heat, adding another layer of difficulty for the field.

“It was extremely hot,” Hildreth noted. “I just hydrated like crazy and ate. I think I went through like four bottles of water out there.”

Sanaa Carter of Jacksonville, N.C., showed tremendous grit throughout the championship, holding a share of the lead heading into the final hole. Carter, who improved each round with scores of 74-73-72, finished in second after a tough double bogey on 18 left her two shots behind Hildreth at 3-over 219.

Gracie Song of Waxhaw, N.C., also remained a strong presence at the top of the leaderboard throughout the event. She led after Round 2 and closed with a 75 to finish in third at 3-over 219 tied with Carter but falling to third via a scorecard playoff.

Amelia Santiago of Holly Springs, N.C., had one of the most notable climbs on the final day. Her bogey-free 2-under 70 vaulted her six spots up the board to secure a solo fifth-place finish.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends sincere thanks to Pine Valley Country Club for its gracious hospitality and excellent course conditions. A special thank you to General Manager Josh Singleton, Golf Course Superintendent Shaun Irish, and Head Golf Professional Joe Casson for their dedication and support. Their added touches—including cold towels and extra hydration stations—were greatly appreciated by players and families alike during one of the hottest weeks of the summer.

South Carolina Native Owen Kinnunen Wins the 76^th 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 15^th 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 76^th Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship.

MORGANTON, N.C. (June 27, 2025) – Brian Harris of Newton N.C. and Tim Teaster of Cayce S.C. were crowned Co-Champions of the 65+ Division of the 17th Carolinas Super Senior Championship hosted at Mimosa Hills Golf Club in Morganton, N.C. after Round 2 was suspended and eventually cancelled due to afternoon thunderstorms. Both leaders were looking to build upon their 5-under 67 first round score.  

Coming in tied for third place with at 4-under 68 was Dale Fuller of Raleigh N.C. and Christopher Ingram of Winston-Salem N.C. 

Rounding out the top five was Joe Hendrik of Chesterfield S.C., Paul Simpson of Raleigh N.C. and Russ Perry of Winston-Salem N.C. with scores of 3-under 69. 

The Legends Division (70+) was led by four Co-Champions including Ed Donlin of Concord, N.C., Steve Fox of Pinehurst, N.C., John Bunn of Raleigh, N.C. and Pete Allen of Southport N.C. who all finished round one with scores of 3-under 69. 

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to the staff and membership of Mimosa Hills Golf Club including Head Golf Professional Jimmy Piercy and Golf Course Superintendent, Brian Reddick.

Event: 58th N.C. Junior Boys’ Championship
Host Site: River Landing Golf Club, Wallace, N.C.
Playing Dates: June 16–19, 2025
Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

Related: Championship Website | Scoring | History | Photos

WALLACE, N.C. (June 19, 2025) – In the sweltering heat at River Landing Golf Club, Ian McGee of Durham, N.C., fired a final-round 67 to capture the 58th North Carolina Junior Boys’ Championship by three strokes.

McGee entered Friday’s final round tied for the lead at 3-under alongside Noah Fry of Charlotte, N.C., after matching rounds of 69 and 72 on the first two days. Three players sat just one stroke back heading into the final 18 holes.

Maddux Cook of Wilmington, N.C., made an early charge, posting four birdies on his opening nine to take the solo lead at the turn. He added two more birdies on the back nine before a bogey on No. 15, ultimately finishing with a 67 to reach 5-under total for the championship and secure a runner-up finish.

McGee kept pace with a steady start, bouncing back from an early bogey on No. 3 with a clean finish to his front nine. He surged ahead on the back nine, carding three birdies and an eagle on the 509-yard par-5 13th to seal the title with another 67—his third straight round of par or better.

“I’m very thankful to win. My game has been feeling really good these last couple months,” McGee said. “I’m really glad it clicked for three straight days.”

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its thanks to River Landing and its dedicated staff, especially Director of Hospitality and Club Operations Larry George, Assistant Golf Professional Jeff Hale, and Director of Golf Maintenance Chris Humphrey, for hosting a memorable championship.