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Grant Schumaker wins 2016 Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions
March 26, 2018
Grant Schumaker wins 2016 Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions
MOORE TWP. — Former Emmaus golfer Grant Schumaker ended his junior golf career Wednesday with a big victory, and career-building momentum.
Schumaker, a 19-year-old Lower Macungie Township resident, shot 4-under-par 68-70–138 at Southmoore Golf Course to win the 23rd annual Lehigh Valley Junior Tournament of Champions title.
A rising junior at Robert Morris University, Schumaker won the event by three strokes over former Freedom High School golfer Zach Juhasz (72-69–141).
Kevin Scherr, a rising senior at Nazareth High School, was third at 75-69–144.
Schumaker shot an opening round of 68 on Tuesday to grab a four-stroke lead over Juhasz, and recent Moravian Academy graduate Cory Haldeman.
Juhasz mounted a charge early in Wednesday’s final round with three consecutive birdies on the second, third and fourth holes to pull within two shots of the lead. However, Schumaker birdied the sixth and ninth holes to build a four stroke lead, and was never seriously challenged the rest of the day.
With the victory, Schumaker earned an exemption into the 2017 Lehigh Valley Open.
The win continues Schumaker’s recent streak of good play over the past month. He shot 7-under-par 64 at Lu Lu Country Club to earn medalist honors in a Pennsylvania Open qualifier, and finished tied for second place at the Bethlehem Golf Club Amateur Stroke Play event.
“I think my strategy off the tee has gotten better,” said Schumaker, the 2012 District 11 3A boys champion. “The putts are falling. The 10-to-15 footers are falling, which is why I am scoring better.”
Beginning his competitive golf career on the Lehigh Valley Junior Golf Tour at the age of eight, Schumaker looked back fondly on his junior golf experiences.
“It’s been a fun experience,” Schumaker said. “I learned how to treat people how they want to be treated. It made me a better person. The competition made you want to get better and practice.”
Coming off a standout high school career — which also saw Schumaker become the youngest Lehigh Valley Amateur champion ever at the age of 16 in 2012 — Schumaker entered his college career at Robert Morris with high expectations.
Having spent his first two seasons in and out of the Colonials traveling lineup, Schumaker is poised for a breakout junior season.
“I feel if I keep my game plan going, keep it in the fairway, shoot around par, I’ll be okay,” Schumaker said. “It’s tough with 12 to 13 players on the team, but I think I will do good.”
Liberty High School freshman Joseph Altemose won the 14-15 years-old division title with a 76-82–158. Northampton High School golfers Anthony Sawarynski ( 86-81-167) and Andrew Hozza (81-88–169) were second and third respectively.
Jordan Barker, an eighth grader from Bethlehem, won the 12-13 years-old division for the third consecutive year. Barker shot 1-over-par 74-69–143 to win by 13 strokes over Matthew Vital of Bethlehem, who shot 78-78–156.
23rd annual Lehigh Valley Junior Tournament of Champions
Southmoore Golf Course (par 71)
Final 36-hole scores:
Overall 14-19 years-old boys — 1. Grant Schumaker 68-70-138 (4-under-par); 2. Zachary Juhasz 72-69-141; 3. Kevin Scherr 75-69-144; 4-T. Thomas Lakata 74-72-146, Nick Maff 73-73-146; 6. Erik Ridley 73-74-147; 7. Sam Martini 75-74-149; 8. Cory Haldeman 72-78-150; 9. Victor Tavares 76-76-152; 10-T. Thomas Coakley 78-76-154, Paul Fedele 77-77-154; 12. Trevor Buss 77-78-155; 13. Alec Cwienkala 75-82-157; 14. Collin Seip 80-78-158, Joseph Altemose 76-82–158; 16-T. Evan Fahs 80-79-159, Jonathan Schwartz 78-81-159, Andrew Milisits 77-82-159; 19. Tyler Coyle 80-81-161; 20. Jax Buist 84-80-164; 21. Garret Cwalina 82-84-166; 22. Anthony Sawarynski 86-81-167; 23. Andrew Hozza 81-88-169; 24. Kevin DiLorenzo 86-86-172; 25. Andrew Kovalchik 89-87-176; 26. Sean Costello 96-81-177; 27. AJ Olszewski 90-88-178.
14-15 years-old boys — 1. Joseph Altemose 76-82-158; 2. Anthony Sawarynski 86-81-167; 3. Andrew Hozza 81-88-169; 4. Kevin DiLorenzo 86-86-172; 5. Andrew Kovalchik 89-87-176.
12-13 years-old boys –1. Jordan Barker 74-69-143; 2. Matthew Vital 78-78-156; 3. Owen Fahs 73-87-160; 4. Michael Vital 95-85–180.
9-11 years-old boys (18 holes) —1. Tyler Hager 43-47-90; 2. Nicholas Blunt 46-45-91; 3. Bryson Hicklin 58-56-114.
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