HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE -- The Arkansas State Golf Association Amateur Championship turned into the Carson Show here Saturday.
Carson Roberts, a former Conway High and Washburn University player, ran away with the title at DeSoto Country Club. Roberts, one stroke off the lead after an opening 66 Thursday, finished his rain-delayed second round at 68 Saturday morning and followed with a 71 for an 11-under 205 total.
Tying for second were first-round leader Hunter Hickingbotham, Stafford Grey and Wes McNulty. Hickingbotham, a 2017 Baptist Prep graduate, led the first round with a 65 before Roberts took a four-stroke lead over McNulty into the final 18 holes.
The second round Friday was delayed 4 hours, 50 minutes by heavy rain and lightning and was later suspended.
Roberts completed his senior year at Washburn (Topeka, Kan.) with a second-place individual finish in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament. Previously, he helped Conway win two Class 7A titles and was individual runner-up his senior year.
Roberts received 300 points in the ASGA player-of-the-year standings and the E.B. Gee Trophy as tournament champon.
Two-time defending amateur champion Austin Eoff, of Benton, placed fifth at 212.
Mark Graham completed a wire-to-wire triumph in the mid-senior division despite slumping to a 1-over 73 in the final round. He had a winning margin of four strokes over fellow Fort Smith golfer Ryan Nye (73_220) with third-place finisher Scott Bowen (Little Rock) nine strokes farther back at 76_229.
Hot Springs veteran Ronnie Johnson, improving his score in each round, won the senior division by one stroke over defending champion Ronny Ocker. Johnson's 213 total came with scores of 72, 71 and 70, he and Van Buren's Ocker entering Saturday's round at 143. First-round leader David Shirey, slumping to a 76 Friday, tied for third at 215 with fellow Camden golfer Mark Bradshaw.
Super-senior honors went to Hot Springs Village veteran Joe Bushee (224) by two strokes over Cabot's Bill Wrentz, each finishing with a 73. Sheridan's Glen Talbert finished third at 227, followed by defending champion Oscar Taylor (HSV) at 229 and first-round leader Ken Golden (Clarksville) at 231.
Sports on 07/16/2017