Cole Ponich, the 2017 Bobby Chapman Junior champion
(SCJGA photo)

With a final round charge, Cole Ponich of Farmington, Utah came from 3 shots behind to take the championship. Ponich came out the gates firing, carding four birdies on the first four holes and only one bogey to turn at three under heading to the back nine with the lead. With late bogies on fifteen and sixteen, Ponich followed with an eagle on seventeen finishing strong to capture the title of the 23rd Annual Bobby Chapman Junior Invitational.

Ponich talked about the turning point to his favor, expressing there were two. Ponich said, “With birdies on the first four holes, that gave me the surge needed to stay focused and strong and then a late eagle on seventeen after two bogies was the confirmation that I needed.”

Ponich, a 2019 graduate was elated for this win, as it couldn’t have come at a better time for his confidence leading into the fall season. Ponich joins a list of elite winners and when asked if he would return next year, Ponich said, “Yes- I have the opportunity to defend!”

Will Thomson (Naples, FL) and Luke Dossey (Austin, TX) both posted 69, three under par to jump up the list in a tie for second place. Both Thomson and Dossey made a late charge on the back nine to rise to the top of the leaderboard and secure their invitations for the 2018 event.

Conducted by the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, The Bobby Chapman Junior Invitational is held in honor of the late Robert H. Chapman, Jr. Each year the tournament is played, inviting the best of the best to compete at an elite level on a prestigious golf course. The tournament benefits the Spartanburg County Foundation and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation and to date has donated $200,000 to scholarship recipients and $190,000 to the South Carolina Junior Golf Association.

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