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Dalton, Hirsch, and Gibbs All Claim Victory at 2017 UGA Invitational

By Taylor Albritton, Boatwright Intern

This year’s UGA Invitational tournament was held at Jeremy Ranch G&CC on August 21, 2017. A 36-hole day of two rounds of stroke play, the men, seniors, and women all faced off to take home the crown of their respective division.

There are a variety of scenarios that allows a player to be eligible to play in the UGA Invitational and the 63 players that entered features the top amateurs in Utah. The morning round kicked off at 8 am and resulted in each division having a clear winner(s). Kendra Dalton headlined the morning round for the women’s division with a great round of 4-under, 68. Dalton’s first round featured five birdies and only one bogey which gave her a 3 shot lead over second in the field, Carly Dehlin. The afternoon 18 holes provided a little more intensity as Dalton and Dehlin battled it out in a close match. Ultimately, Kendra Dalton would edge out a well-playing Dehlin by two strokes with a total score of 145 (+1) for the tournament. The UGA Invitational Championship victory adds to the many successes Dalton as seen this year.

The senior division featured two leaders after the morning rounds. Both Brigham Gibbs and Mike Jorgensen lead the pack with 3-under rounds of 69 which were highlighted by 6 birdies a piece. Their great rounds gave them a two shot lead over second place, Paul Cannon (-1). Going into the afternoon, the leaderboard was a little crowded. After an even par round, Gibbs was able to secure his championship victory for the senior division with a 3-under score, 141 for the tournament over second place Steve Poulson who came in at a 1-under total score of 143. Gibbs victory followed a great run at the Senior Stroke Play Championship at Bountiful Ridge where he placed third.

Ryan Brimley would card an amazing 7-under score (65) for his first round of the day. With only one bogey and an astounding eight birdies, Brimley outscored second place Kelton Hirsch by 4 strokes. Hirsch and Brimley would battle it out in the afternoon session, playing head-to-head in the same pairing. Utah State Amateur Champion Kelton Hirsch was victorious with a 68, 4-under afternoon round. Hirsch’s second 18 featured 6 birdies, a total of 12 on the day and an overall score of 7-under par, 137. Second place was secured by Ryan Brimley with a 141 (-3), followed by Tyler Abegglen in third with a 145 (+1).

Thank you to all the great players who came out and played in our UGA Invitational. Thank you to Jeremy Ranch G&CC for being a great host. Finally, congratulations to all the champions on the day. We hope to see everyone again at next year’s Invitational.

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