MANSFIELD, Ohio — Kaleb Smith continued his climb up the leaderboard during the final round of the PGA Junior Series tournament at Westbrook Country Club on Wednesday, but the day belonged to Mark Goetz.
The 16-year-old Goetz of Irwin, Pa., shot a 1 over 73 for a 54-hole score of 213 and a one-stroke victory over hard-charging Tyler Green of Columbia City, Ind.
Green, 17, started the day five strokes off the lead, but birdied the first four holes and was 6 under through 11 holes. He finished with a 3-under 69 and a three-day total of 214.
After a bogey at the par 4 16th, Goetz sank par putts at the par 3 17th and par 4 18th.
“Coming down the stretch, I wasn’t sure what Green was at with relation to par, but I knew he was playing well and I would have to hold my ground,” Goetz said. “I bogeyed 16, but was able to get my feet back under me and made par on both 17 and 18.”
Finishing Strong: Lexington’s Smith opened the tournament with an 84 on Monday, but shot even-par 72 in the second round and finished with a 1-over 73 for a three-day total of 229. The rising senior finished tied for 10th.
“To finish in the top 10 in that field, he has a lot to be proud of,” said Smith’s father, Greg, the club pro at Westbrook.
Smith was the top local finisher. Clear Fork’s Luke Watson, who played in the same group as Smith in the final round, finished tied for 45th with a three-day 242. Clear Fork’s Dakotah McClain finished 54th with a 248 and Ontario’s Dominic Castelvetere was 75th with a 278.
In the girls division, Lexington’s Abby Conover and 2015 Lex graduate Alex Sazdanoff tied for 21st at 299.
Wild Weather: Temperatures for Wednesday’s final round hovered in the low-60s with gusty winds and misty conditions. The tournament was delayed Tuesday because of heavy rain.
“It was soft out there,” Greg Smith said. “The course was playing long. It rewarded the longer hitters, but it made chipping a little easier.”
