Gowen takes lead at Junior Amateur, Powell in fourth; Quitman's Ivy 2nd in Group B

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
August 2, 2002
Greg Gowen of Oxford withstood a late charge by Madison's Michael McElroy to win the Mississippi Golf Association's Junior Amateur Championship on Thursday at the Mississippi State University Golf Course.
Gowen shot a one-under 71 in Thursday's final round to finish with a three-day total of 211. McElroy fired a three-under 69 on Thursday to close to within a stroke at 212 to place second.
Meridian's Winston Powell shot a one-under 71 in his final round to finish third overall at 212. Will Dottley of Greenville was fourth with a 217 and there was a two-way tie for fifth between Beck Troutman of Fernwood and Nick Beale of Pass Chrisitian both finished at 218.
The two other Meridian golfers in the A Group finished out their play in the second flight. Derrick Smith placed third in his flight with a three-day total of 242. He shot a 77 on Thursday.
Blake Smith was 10th with a 251 following an 80 in the third round.
In Group B for the 14-and-15-year olds, Sonny Williams of Clinton roared back from seven strokes back to claim the title. Second round leader Lee Jones shot an 80 on Thursday opening the door for the rest of the field.
Williams shot the round of the tournament with a three-under 69 on Thursday. The next best golfer was Matt Fast of Hattiesburg who had a 74. Williams ended with a three-day total of 220 to beat Fast by a stroke.
Quitman's Joshua Ivy, who was second after round two, finished third at 223. Ivy shot a 76 on Thursday. Matt Burrow of Jackson tied for third with a 223 and Jones was fifth at 224.
Reid Kennedy of Meridian was 13th at 239 after an 89 on Thursday.