The two teed off under cool, clear skies as the match got underway at 7:30 a.m. this morning. Both players got off to a slow start in the morning round with neither making a birdie on the front nine as they came through the turn at all square. Babcock was able to get things going on the back nine by winning the first four holes with pars to secure a 4-up lead. Francks was able to make birdie on the next two holes to get the deficit back to two holes and that’s where the match would stay through 18 holes as they halved the final three holes.

After taking a lunch break, Francks would quickly get the match back to all square by winning the 19th and 21st holes with birdies. They would go back and forth over the next few holes but remained all square as they made the turn to the final nine holes of their 36-hole match.

Francks was finally able to wear Babcock down winning the first two holes of the final nine to take a 2-up lead with only seven holes to play. After halving the next two holes, Francks’ eagle putt on the par-5 14th hole was conceded after Babcock made bogey to give him a 3-up lead. A par was enough on the next hole for Francks to seal the title and give him a 4 and 3 victory.

The win this week caps of a terrific summer for Francks which also includes a win at the WJGA State Championship in late July. Francks joins an impressive group of past PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur champions that includes Fred Couples, Alex Prugh, and Andrew Yun.

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