Desoto Central junior wins Conlee tourney
As he readied himself for the back nine in the final round of the 33rd annual Bubba Conlee National Junior Golf Tournament, Braden Thornberry knew he had a chance.
He trailed leader Patrick Martin, who had been solid during the three-day event at Quail Ridge Golf Club in Bartlett, by two strokes.
“I knew I was still in it, but you kind of have those thoughts, not good thoughts,” Thornberry said.
Thornberry’s ability to hang close proved big as key mistakes by Martin on the final nine holes allowed Thornberry, a junior-to-be at DeSoto Cen- tral, to win. Thornberry shot a 70 to finish with a three-round total of 208. Martin’s struggles led to a final round of 74, dropping the Birmingham native to fourth place with a 211.
Davis Baxter of Nolensville, Tenn., was second at 209 and Nathan Tenpas of Chevy Chase, Md., was third with a 210.
“The last few holes, I just happened to get a couple of birdies and he (Martin) had a couple of slip- ups,” Thornberry said. “He’s a great player. He’s the toughest player I’ve ever played against. I’m just lucky that I came out on top.”
Thornberry was feeling good when he bogeyed on 10 to pick up a stroke. But he quickly fell behind by three strokes after he bogeyed and Martin birdied the 11th hole.
Martin opened the door again on 12 when his bogey allowed Thornberry to pick up another stroke.
“I was cruising until 12, which was the first trouble mark,” Martin said. “I hit it left and bogeyed after making a long birdie putt on 11.”
Thornberry got a break on 14 when he nearly lost his ball. Fortunately, he found it before taking a penalty, which allowed him to make par.
“That was a really big momentum boost right there because I was expecting a double or triple (bogey) right there, but I found it and made par,” Thornberry said.
Martin’s good fortune ran out on the final three holes. He bogeyed 15, then a bad tee shot on 16 led to his going 3 over. Finally, he bogeyed 18.
“I shot a bad tee shot,” Martin said. “The pin is tucked way left. I almost made a putt. To end that way is not my favorite.”
The girls event was won by Rachel Dai of Milton, Ga., who shot a 211. Telen Hughes of Knoxville fin- ished second with a 216, and Alexandra Farnsworth of Nashville finished third at 217.