Dale takes the Bobby Chapman
After a stellar opening 64, Sean Dale captured the 13th Annual Bobby Chapman Junior Invitational by two shots over Jacob Burger and Sam Braver. The Jacksonville, FL native fired a second round 72, one over par, to win the championship. The strong field came from all areas of the country in an effort to earn national acclaim in this highly ranked event. Five AJGA victories are represented along with 15 state championships, 22 USGA Junior Championship contestants, and 23 other major titles as well. The field boasts an average handicap of below scratch and 11 players are ranked in the top 100 of Golfweek's junior rankings.Dale said of the round, " I hit the ball just as solid as I did yesterday, I just could not get the putts to fall. I had to take an unplayable on the fifth hole, but did not let it get to me and finished off the tournament with a great par on 18. The board, staff, and members do a fantastic job and I am glad to join the list of champions of this tournament.
Great shots did abound over the weekend. James Ellis had a hole in one on hole number 14, while Sam Braver holed out his second shot on the par five 17th for a double eagle. Stephen Behr had two of the field's 19 eagles , no small feat as they were both on par four holes during his final round.
The tournament is held in honor of the late Robert H. Chapman, Jr. Chapman, a long time member of the Country Club of Spartanburg, was the only man to serve as president of both the South Carolina Golf Association & Carolinas Golf Association. He was an accomplished player and served the USGA in several capacities. In his business life, Chapman was a local and national leader in the textile industry. The tournament also benefits the Spartanburg Foundation and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation. To date, over $100,000 has gone to scholarship recipients through both organizations thanks to the many kind supporters of the Bobby Chapman.