Sunkist hosts third major
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, April 1, 2014
BILOXI — The third major tournament for prep golfers in South Mississippi takes place today.
The Sunkist Invitational will feature over 20 teams, including three from Pearl River County. Golfers from Picayune, Pearl River Central and Poplarville will vie for both team honors as well as individual medals in the competition. The event is set to begin with a 9 a.m., shotgun start.
The fourth and final major will take place next Tuesday, April 8th, at Grand Bear in Gulfport.
“Having the major series in high school golf here in South Mississippi has created larger, more competitive fields which should help all the prep golfers down here prepare for district and state tournament play,” Picayune golf coach Russell Mitchell said.
Pearl River Central, which has led the field after the first day of play at the Class 5A state tournament each of the past two seasons, finished third in the second major of the season last week at Diamondhead.
The three local teams warmed up for the final push of the regular season with a smaller five team tourney at Millbrook last week.
Pearl River Central ran away with the title at the home course of both the Blue Devils and Maroon Tide, shooting a 299 to beat second place Stone by 71 strokes. The Tomcats finished at 370, while Picayune was third at 371. Pass Christian ws fourth at 494, while Poplarville only had four golfers and therefore didn’t qualify for team honors.
Pearl River Central senior Nick Sumner, who is expected to sign a golf scholarship with William Carey this week, captured low medalist honors with a 72. Both Malachi Spiers and Matthew Spiers finished at 75, while Mason Cunningham shot a 77. Carter Nicholson shot an 84
For Picayune, Brandon Ladmirault led the way with a round of 77, while Jon Brunson shot a 92. Bradley Alexander was the top golfer for Poplarville.
The local girls golfers also played a nine-hole tourney at Millbrook. Pearl River Central took team honors with a 109, while Picayune shot a 127 and Poplarville carded a 145. Morgan Runyan of PRC took low medalist honors with a 47, while Candace Jones led Picayune shooting a 62. Jordyn Cowart paced Poplarville with a 60.
