Tuesday, November 20, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

Ninety-seven golfers ages 10 to 17 from Mississippi and Louisiana

are expected to play in the the 2001 Gulf States PGA Junior Thanksgiving

Classic at Beau Pr\u00E9 Country Club. Today’s first-round tee

times start at 8 a.m.

&160;

&uot;This is by far the largest Gulf States junior tournament

that we’ve had,&uot; said Beau Pr\u00E9 club pro Mark Powell.

&uot;They were swarming on the course Monday. They have already

filled up one hotel in town, and I think they are working on another

one.&uot;

Four local golfers as well as one from Woodville are among

those who will participate in this year’s tournament.

Lee Jones of Natchez, who finished second in the boys 12-13

age group to Andrew Loupe of Baton Rouge last year, will compete

in the boys 14-17 age group this year. Betsy Powell of Natchez

will compete in the girls 14-17 age group. Last year in this same

group, she finished fourth.

George Johnson of Woodville will play in the boys 14-17 age

group. Last year, he finished 17th in the boys 14-15 age group.

Jake Kaiser and Jordan Farmer, both of Natchez, will compete in

the boys 12-13 age group. Last year, Kaiser finished third in

the boys 10-11 age group, while Farmer did not play in the tournament.

&uot;Lee is one of the better players in junior golf around,&uot;

Mark Powell said. &uot;Farmer is a good player, but he hasn’t

played that much this fall, so he’ll have his work cut out for

him.

&uot;Trey Denton (of Madison) will also be one to watch. He

lost in a sudden-death playoff last year,&uot; Powell said. Baton

Rouge’s Chris Jordan sank a 20-foot putt for par on the first

playoff hole to win the championship.