NATCHEZ — Donnie McFarland took first place in this year’s Junior Golf Championship at Duncan Park Thursday morning.

“I started off with two bogeys this morning,” McFarland said. “It got better on the last nine.”

McFarland was unable to improve on the 70 he shot Wednesday, shooting a 75 Thursday morning for a combined 145 for the tournament.

“I missed three or four putts within five feet,” McFarland said. “The rough was extremely thick today.”

Last year’s third-place finisher Colby Bass improved the most on day two shooting a 78 for a total of 159 to pass Ben Goff for second place.

“I took myself out it (Wednesday),” Bass said. “I was able to turn in it around on the final nine but it was too late to catch Donnie.”

Goff’s birdie on the first hole and a strong outing on the first eight holes gave him hope of a good day until he got into the rough on the ninth hole.

“The rough was terrible,” Goff said. “I wasn’t able to get out of the rough. That hole killed it for me.”

Austin McFarland, 14, won the 12 to 14-year-old group for the second time. He posted a 40 on nine holes on day two for a total of 80.

“I thought last year was my best round ever,” Austin said. “But this was the best round ever.”

Austin utilized the damp morning conditions to help his approach shots.

“The course was a little wet,” Austin said. “I was able to make my ball stop on my second shot.”

Second-place finisher Steve Scarborough saw a three-shot improvement from day one, shooting 47 on nine holes and 97 for the tournament.

“I shot a lot better than (Wednesday),” Scarborough. “Pars were hard to come by. I couldn’t get one until the last hole.”

The two-day event had a significant decline in participants this year. Only three entrants were in both the 12 to 14 and 15 to 18 age groups. The under-12 group had only one player, 10-year-old Alex Miller.

“It’s a boring with no competition my age.” Miller said. “Hopefully, I will have more competition next year.”

Duncan Park Golf Pro Marvin Gray said he hopes the turnout will be better next summer.

“Last year’s participation was better, but we are thankful to the ones that participated this year,” Gray said.