Anna Morgan and Garrett Cooper
(Photo Courtesy of Carolinas Golf Association)
PINEHURST, N.C. (January 5, 2021) -- Final results of the 12th Carolinas Young Amateur at Pinewild Country Club’s Magnolia Course. The Women’s Division competed at 6,063 yards, and the Men’s Division competed at 6,969 yards, par 36-36--72.
The CGA conducted this championship under the COVID-19 Tournament Protocols. Learn more here.
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Women’s Division:
Anna Morgan of Spartanburg, S.C., captured the 12th Carolinas Young Amateur title after winning with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff against Furman University teammate and close friend Sophia Burnett of Bluffton, S.C.
Morgan entered the final round leading by one stroke and tried to widen that lead throughout the day. Hitting nearly every fairway, she was able to stay in position and give herself many birdie looks. It wasn’t until Burnett’s game-changing birdie on No. 14 that Morgan felt the pressure.
“When I realized we were tied, I was a little nervous, but at the same time I feel like I’ve been able to put myself in this position a few times before, and I have decent experience doing that,” said the 2020 Carolinas Women’s Amateur Champion. “I knew I had to focus on what I was doing, then just let her (Burnett) come to me.”
Morgan birdied No. 16 to take back her lead, but Burnett answered with a birdie on No. 17 to tie it up. With matching pars on No. 18, the pair finished at 1-under-par 143 overall and headed back to the first tee.
Morgan started the Tuesday final round with a birdie on No. 1. Accordingly, she stepped up to the first playoff hole feeling confident. The Furman University sophomore said, “I know I can’t reach it in two, so my plan was just to get myself a good yardage. My favorite yardage is 80 and I gave myself 79 yards in. I was able to hit a good wedge from there and then made the putt.”
This is Morgan’s second CGA championship. “I never had a CGA win up until last summer,” Morgan said. “Then I was able to win in the Carolinas Women’s Amateur), and now getting to do it again is pretty cool.”
Kelley Topiwala of Pinehurst earned third place after a 2-over-par 146 finish. The 10th Carolinas Young Amateur champion, Jessica Spicer of Bahama, N.C., claimed fourth place in a tie with Nicole Adam of Pinehurst at 4-over-par 148.
Men’s Division:
Garrett Cooper of Cowpens, S.C., fired off a 3-under-par 69 for the second day in a row to claim the 12th Carolinas Young Amateur title. However, Cooper’s first CGA championship title was no easy feat, as he started the day three shots out of the lead.
The Coastal Carolina University sophomore knew that he would have to climb his way to the top, but he kept his game plan simple: stay in the fairway and out of trouble. Cooper used the tough weather to his advantage today remarking, “I don’t mind playing in the rain; it’s just the wind that affects me.”
Cooper made the turn at 4 under and was tied for the lead with three other players. That’s when he separated himself from the pack, hitting nearly every green and playing a bogey-free back nine.
It all boiled down to No. 18 as Austin Duncan of York, S.C. was just one shot off of Cooper’s lead. “I hit it to the right, so I wasn't really in position to make birdie, but I hit a good shot up into the green,” said Cooper. “That’s when I saw Austin (Duncan) had a good look at eagle, so I knew I had to make my birdie putt.”
Cooper was able to sink the five-footer for birdie and take home the title. Duncan carded a birdie on No. 18 to claim runner-up honors at 5-under-par 139.
“Being in the winner’s circle feels really good,” said Cooper. “I have had a lot of second-place finishes in CGA events, but this is my first win. It is especially great to come into 2021 and the season with a win.”
Nicholas Mayfield of Rock Hill, S.C., captured third place, finishing at 4-under-par 140. There was a three-way tie for fourth place at 3-under-par 141 between first-round leader Grant Sellers of McBee, S.C., Evans Lewis of Sumter, S.C., and Patrick Stephenson of Four Oaks, N.C.