Staff report

Tiger Woods may be out of the picture on the national golf scene but several local athletes are doing their part to keep the excitment going in area tournaments.

Ironton golfer Nathan Kerns played in the American Junior Golf Association 25th Annual Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior Tournament at Bellefonte Country Club June 18-20. In the final round, Kerns shot a 73 to move back up the leader board to finish tied for 24 out of 88 golfers.

On June 23, the Tri-State Junior Golf Circuit stopped at Bellefonte and several local golfers played in that event.

Kerns shot a 75 and tied with Brian Corder of Barboursville in the 16-18 year-old division. Kerns won in a playoff.

Andy Holtzapfel, of Ironton, shot an 83 to win the 1st flight of the 13-15 year-old division.

Josh Zornes, of Ironton,

shot an 83 to finish 2nd in the 2nd flight 13-15 year-old division. Josh Mullins

of Ironton shot a 97 in the 13-15 division 2nd flight.

Brent Morgan, of Coal Grove, shot a 48 for 2nd place 10-12 year-old division, 1st flight.

Callie and Zac Taylor of South Point also competed in the event. Callie shot a 100 in the 13-15 year-old division 2nd flight. Zac shot a 104 in the 16-18 division, third flight.

All scores are posted on www.southeasternohiopreps.com under Tri-State Junior Golf Circuit.

Kerns and Holtzapfel lead their respective divisions in points in the race to the TSJGC Player of the Year. Morgan leads the 10-12 year-old division,

Kerns and Holtzapfel

played in the U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier on June 24 at Little Turtle Golf Club in Westerville.

The tournament field included 52 golfers from multiple states. The one day event was a 36 hole tournament.

The qualifier was going to be for 2 golfers and 2 alternates for play in the U.S. Junior Amateur tournament in Shoal Creek Alabama in late July. Kerns shot a 75 and a 73 for a 148 total that placed him tied for third place. Holtzapfel shot a 78 and a 79 for a 157 total that place him tied for 13 in his first attempt to qualify for this tournament.

Kerns had to go into a playoff for the 1st/2nd alternate spots and he lost finishing in the 2nd alternate spot.