By Malcolm Butler
A double bogey on the opening hole could have derailed Alex Roebuck’s championship hopes.
Instead, the Cedar Creek senior-to-be responded with one of the best back-nine performances of his young career.
Roebuck overcame the early stumble by firing a 2-under-par 70 Tuesday, using an eagle and three birdies on the back nine to capture the first Louisiana Junior Golf Tour title of his career at the University Club in Baton Rouge.
Competing against a field of 53 golfers in the boys 14-18 division, Roebuck finished the two-day tournament at 2-under 142 after opening with an even-par 72 on Monday. His one-stroke victory over Mason LeBlanc of Lafayette earned him his first championship on Louisiana’s premier junior golf circuit.
“I started off the day making a double bogey because of a poor tee shot, but I bounced back with back-to-back birdies,” Roebuck said. “I just settled down. I missed two 10-footers to finish one over on the front, but I had the eagle and three birdies to finish three under on the back.”
Roebuck’s scorecard reflected the resilience that has become a signature of his game.
After the double bogey on the opening hole, he birdied Nos. 2 and 3 before making the turn at 1-over 37. On the back nine, he eagled the par-5 11th hole and added birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 17 to shoot 3-under 33 and secure the tournament victory.
“It feels great,” Roebuck said. “I knew I had a chance coming in. I was disappointed in how I finished the front nine, but I finished the back nine strong.”
Roebuck also credited longtime coach Brad Pullin for helping him reach another milestone.
“I want to thank Brad Pullin, my coach,” Roebuck said. “He got me a new putter. That definitely helped. I also want to thank Coach Jeff Parks as well. We have been working on some things. I feel like my swing is in a great spot and we put it together.”
The victory is another significant accomplishment for Roebuck, who has established himself as one of Louisiana’s top junior golfers.
As a sophomore, he won the LHSAA Division IV individual state championship before representing Louisiana at the PGA High School Golf National Invitational at Pinehurst. Last fall, he captured the Allstate Sugar Bowl Fall Series title, and this spring helped lead Cedar Creek to the Select Division IV team championship while finishing as the individual runner-up. Earlier this summer, he also qualified for the 107th Louisiana Amateur Championship.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
