BOISE, Idaho – Idaho’s future stars were on the course today at Crane Creek Country Club in a battle for a single spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur.
Jonas Bicknese of Fruitland, Idaho shot a 2-under 70 to punch his ticket to the U.S. Junior Am held at the historic Baltrusol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. “I wasn’t expecting to play well today. I played poorly in the State Am this past weekend, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Bicknese said after the round.
On a difficult setup at Crane Creek, Bicknese was forced to convert many up-and-downs from off the green. He gave credit to his putting for these par saves. Spectators and Bicknese’s playing partners agreed, saying that he practically made every putt he had.
The highlight of the round for Bicknese came on holes 14 and 15. A bogey on the par-5 13th dropped Bicknese to 1-under after hitting a tee shot that ended up in a hazard. Bicknese birdied the next two holes, a move that would prove crucial as the rest of the field hovered around par.
The girls’ qualifier was also extremely competitive. As the heat turned up in the Boise foothills, it became apparent that no career rounds were to be shot. Whoever made the least amount of mistakes would survive and advance to the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Julia Garcia, all the way from Temple, Texas, shot a 1-over 73 to outlast the competition. Garcia’s bogey, bogey, bogey start was not ideal, but 4 birdies throughout the round brought her back into the fold.
Pocatello’s Payton Fehringer was the first alternate and Boise’s Emily Cadwell won a playoff in three holes to become 2nd alternate.
For the boys, Seattle’s Daniel Tiscareno was the first alternate and Meridian’s Jake Slocum won a playoff to become 2nd alternate.
The U.S. Junior Amateur takes place July 16-21, 2018 (broadcast on FS1)
The U.S. Girls’ Junior takes place the same dates.
Full qualifier results:
Boys