By Kyle Roberts
No matter where he’s teed off in the state of Louisiana this summer, youngster Grey Ramsey has proven he can take on any course in any condition.
And now, he can add Junior Amateur Champion (12-13 year-old division) and an automatic spot on the Louisiana team at the 2024 Junior River Cup to be held in September following his win last week LGA Junior Amateur Championship at the Mallard Golf Club in Lake Charles, La.
Following a round one score of 74, Ramsey shot 1-under on day two and held the field at bay by playing smart on 18 to finish the day with a 1-stroke victory.
Ramsey said he felt like he played well overall for the two days in South Louisiana on a course that still had some lingering effects from Hurricane Beryl’s rainfall.
“The greens got better over the tournament, and my putting did, too,” Ramsey said. “The first day I struggled to get a putt to the hole, and then on the last day my putter get rolling. That’s what I think helped me get the win.”
Ramsey went into day two behind by three strokes but steadily kept working his way into the lead. Finally, with only the Par 5, Hole 18 left, Ramsey had a three-stroke lead over the player who finished second. Not knowing exactly how his closest opponent finished since they were in different groups, Ramsey knew he would need a par or bogey to win the day.
“I hit a three-wood off the tee, and then I layed up with a five iron,” Ramsey said. “I hit an eight-iron just off the green, and chipped it up there a two-putted.”
The bogey solidified the win for Ramsey, who finished with seven birdies in 36-holes played.
The win for Ramsey will put him on the 2024 River Cup team, which is set to be played in September at Mossy Oak Golf Club in West Point, Miss. The format is very similar to the team format that is utilized in the Ryder Cup.
And for Ramsey, qualifying for the River Cup team is New Year’s Resolution No. 2 that he can now check off.
