CANONSBURG — Playing up in an older age division did little to slow down the hot play of Niko Ameredes.
The 13-year-old from Sewickley finished strong Thursday, shooting a 3-under score of 69 to take the 66th WPGA Boys Championship’s 15 & Under division and overall title at Lindenwood Golf Club.
“I started off a little not great,” said Ameredes, who got hot late, posting birdies on three of his last five holes. “At the end though I just closed out with a great run and made a couple of putts.”
Ameredes, who has performed well throughout the summer, including top five finishes in the 106th WPGA Junior Championship and Pennsylvania Junior Championship, elected to take on a stronger field of older players Thursday.
“I’ve just been trusting the process,” said Ameredes, who, at a remarkably young age, finished in the top ten in qualifying for both the WPGA Amateur Championship and next week’s WPGA Open Championship. “I’ve just been doing what I’ve been told and go through the routines every time.”
Trey Susa, another Sewickley native, placed second with a 1-under score, while Max Scally shot even par for third place.
In the 13 & Under division, Saint Mary’s native Keegan Smith ran away with the title, shooting a 5-over score of 77. Camden Gustin was second at 12-over and Logan Gamrod was 14-over, good for third.
In the 10 & Under division, set as a nine-hole competition, Clayton Mulheren was 11-over to take the top spot. A three-way tie at 13-over occurred, as Jonah Honess, Parker Peach and Gavin Erenrich all finished runner-up in the division designed to introduce young players to competitive golf.
But the overall title went to Ameredes, who conquered an older field and the challenging conditions at Lindenwood.
“The course was in great shape,” he said. “With all the rain, they kept in great shape. It was pretty tight off the tees. It’s a great course.
“I’m happy with how I played. I just kept at it and didn’t make many mistakes out there.”
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