Johnson tops Wenzler in playoff

INDIAN SPRINGS, Ohio – Chloe Johnson made birdie on the second playoff to defeat Marissa Wenzler in a weekend battle at Walden Ponds Golf Club.

Johnson and Wenzler both separated themselves from the field with 2-day cumulative scores of 4-under-par 140 and it all came down to some final-hole drama. At the 18th Sunday, Johnson eagled the par-5 while Wenzler birdied to force the playoff.

Both players would make par at Walden Pond’s par-4 No.1 before moving to the par-3 second, where Johnson closed out the victory with her birdie. The victory was Johnson’s first in five appearances on the GJT.

The 13-year-old Johnson finished regulation with scores of 69-71—140 while Wenzler shot 70-70-140.

Jessica Hahn claimed sole possession of third place with rounds of 73-74—147, followed by Katelyn Kuc at 74-75—149 and Faith Johnson at 79-73—152.

Gabbard tops Soper in playoff

Justin Gabbard’s par on the second playoff hole beat Jack Soper in the Boys 16-19 division at Elk’s Run Golf Club. The victory marked Gabbard’s first of the season and second overall on the GJT.

Gabbard started the final round five shots behind the leaders Bryce Robertson and Ethan Phillips then made his charge on the front nine Sunday with a bogey-free 3-under-par 33. His only misstep would be a double bogey at the 14th.

Meanwhile, Soper birdied the fourth and fifth holes to move ahead of the field, but a stretch of five bogeys in six holes on the closing nine brought him back.

Gabbard finished regulation in 76-70—146 while Soper shot 72-74—146.

Braden Smith shot 76-72—148 for sole possession of second place while Trent Tipton placed fourth at 77-72—149.

Rounding out the top five was the trio of A.J. Cherubini (75-75—150), Charlie Golski (76-74—150) and Justin Horn (75-75—150). Robertson (71-81—152) and Phillips (71-81—152) both dropped into a tie for eight place with Nick Stachler (76-76—152).

Witt survives in Boys 14-15

Mason Witt shot rounds of 74-73—147 to claim a 1-shot victory over Zach Burton in the Boys 14-15 division at Elk’s Run.

Wilson trailed Ryan O’Rourke by three shots heading into Sunday’s final round then played the first 15 holes in even par with two birdies. His double bogey at the 16th opened the door for Burton, who had overcome a double bogey of his own earlier in the round.

Burton made birdies at 10, 11 and 17 to put himself in position, but his bogey on the final hole put Witt on top.

Burton finished at 75-73—148 for sole possession of second place while Tyler Sabo (73-76—149) and Carter Smith (74-75—149) shared third place.

Pfefferkorn nabs second straight win in Girls 14-and-Under

Christina Pfefferkorn fired rounds of 76-81—157 to earn her second win in as many appearances this season at Walden Ponds.

Pfefferkorn, who won at Westhaven back in November, stormed out to a 6-shot lead in the first round and went wire-to-wire for her victory. She built a lead to as much as nine strokes and was never in danger despite two double bogeys on the inward nine.

Isabella Christy shot 82-80—162 for sole possession of second place while Meiyi Wu (82-84—166) and Zoe Luebbers (83-83—166) tied for third place.

Harber wins Boys 13-and-Under playoff

Vaughn Harber nailed down his second win of the season by beating Landen Howard in a 1-hole playoff for the Boys 13-and-under title at Walden Ponds.

Harber, who won at Darby Creek back in October, fired rounds of 79-71—150 and birdied two of the last three holes in regulation to force the playoff.

Howard, who battled back from four shots down to start the final round, finished strong with a birdie and rounds of 80-70—150 to join Harber in the playoff.

First round leader Maverick Conaway shot 76-75—151 to miss out on the playoff by just one shot.