Mike Rosier

McKenzie Talbert sends one toward the cup

NORTH AUGUSTA - The rain and wind nearly washed away McKenzie Talbert's whole weekend.

As the top ranked junior boys and girls from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia competed on Sunday and Monday in the inaugural Carolinas/Georgia Junior at Mt. Vintage Plantation, McKenzie saw her chances at contention seemingly slip away with a round of 85 on her home course.

"Yesterday was kind of rough," Talbert, an 8th-grader at Merriwether Middle School, said of her opening round in the tournament. "It was hard to stay focused putting the rain gear on and then taking it off, and with it being cold and then hot. The course was great. It was playable. Definitely better than an 85."

Fortunately, her situation would change on Monday.

On the Par 3 Chester, Talbert pushed her 5-iron shot right and left herself a nightmare.

The hole was 55 feet away, with the putt moving right to left.

So, of course, Talbert drained it - for birdie.

"That started things off for me," Talbert said. "I had not had a lot of confidence with the putter, but that put the confidence back in the short one. Today was definitely better than yesterday."

The invitation-only field included 96 of the finest junior golfers from the three states.

Invitations were sent to the top ranked boys and girls based on state junior golf association rankings and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. At least 13 of the top 20 boys were on hand from each state and at least 8 of the top 15 girls from each state competed.

"There was some great talent here," Talbert added.

Emilie Burger of Hoschton, GA, won the girl's title with a two-day total of 151 (77, 74), while Augusta's Clark Palmer captured the boy's tournament title, firing a total of 139 (69, 70).

Rounding off the top five for the girls were Kendall Wright, Suwanee, GA (2nd - 76, 76), Allison Emrey, Charlotte, NC (3rd - 76, 78), Taylor Ramsey, Martinez, GA (4th - 79, 78) and Katherine Perry, Cary, NC (5th - 81, 77). Other top Boy's golfers included Michael Marshburn, Cary, NC (2nd - 70, 72), Oliver Schniederjans, Powder Springs, GA (3rd - 72, 71), Logan Harrell, Huntersville NC (4th - 73, 71) and Michael McGowan, Southern Pines, NC (5th - 77, 68).

Talbert was the top local finisher, placing 9th with a 162 (85, 77).

Other local golfers included Anne Marie Covar (21st - 91, 77), Reed Covar (T60 - 88, 85) and Blake Hadden (T60 - 83, 90).