Tyler Green of Columbia City got his first Indiana Junior win yesterday at the last major of the season, the Hoosier Junior Championship at Otter Creek GC. Green posted a tournament total of 3-under-par, 141 to win by five shots.
“I was able to manage my game really well the past two days,” Green said. “I birdied the first three holes during the final round which definitely got me off to a good start.”
Over the past couple of years, Green has finished close to the top of the leaderboard, with a third place finish at the Indiana Section Jr. PGA Championship, and runner-up finishes at the Hoosier Junior Championship and the Boys State Junior Championship. He says getting his first win is definitely a confidence booster.
“I always knew I was capable of winning,” Green said. “I’ve tried to stay patient and have continued to work hard. I definitely feel more confident now that I have a win under my belt.”
Green is currently a senior at Columbia City High School and will play collegiately at Purdue University next fall.
Johnny Deck of Carmel finished in second at 2-over-par, 146.
In the Girls Division, it was Alexis Miestowski of Schereville who came out on top. Miestowski posted a two-day total of 12-over-par, 156 to win by four shots.
Last week, Miestowski won the IHSAA Girls State Championship as an individual, and capped off her season with a win at the Hoosier Junior Championship.
“I came out of state with a lot of confidence,” Miestowski said. “I played really well in bad conditions and proved to myself that I can manage my game no matter the weather.”
Heading into yesterday’s final round, Miestowski was tied with Kristina Kniesly of Logansport after posting an opening round of 3-over-par, 75.
“I honestly really like the pressure,” Miestowski said. “I knew that I had to focus on each shot and not get too far ahead of myself.”
Miestowski is a sophomore at Lake Central High School. She looks forward to working on her conditioning and sharpening her short game during the off-season.
Kniesly and Reece Malapit of Muncie finished in a tie for second at 16-over-par, 160.