Congratulations to Junior Players Golf Academy student Trace Crowe on winning the Golf Etc. High School Invitational!

Congratulations to Junior Players Golf Academy student Trace Crowe on winning the Golf Etc. High School Invitational. Crowe took a 2 shot lead into the Final rou

nd thanks largely to a brilliant opening round of 6 under par 66. Crowe was more than pleased to see the wind up and the tees back for Sunday’s final round at the Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run, Crowe was representing the Hilton Head Christian Academy.

Intent on defending his 36-hole lead by hitting fairways and greens, the talented junior did exactly that en route to shooting an even-par 72 that was good enough to earn him the individual title against a strong field of more than 80 high school golfers with a final total of 6-under 210.

Displaying remarkable consistency that belied just how difficult the Jack Nicklaus-designed course was playing on Sunday, Crowe shot 35-37 to ultimately best Beaufort High School’s Josh Fickes and Gilbert High School standout Caleb Proveaux by two shots.

“To me this is one of the best high school events in the state, so winning it means a lot,” Crowe said. “I just stuck to my game plan today just like I did on Saturday. Opening with the 66 on Friday really helped and then I just tried to play smart from that point on.”

That impressive performance notwithstanding, Crowe was far more pleased with the Christian Academy’s near-dominant defense of its 2013 team title. The Eagles posted a three-day score of 911, easily outpacing Boiling Springs who finished at 925 and A.C. Flora who posted a 932. Hilton Head High School finished second among the local teams with a 947, followed by Beaufort (966) and Bluffton (970).

“I’m so proud of the way the team played this week,” Crowe said. “Everyone really finished strong today. That definitely means more to me than winning the individual title.”

The day, however, belonged to Crowe, who showed significant resolve, maturity and talent in his Victory.