Mesa juniors sweep championship divisions: Clark prevails in playoff; Hayward coasts to victory by eight.
(left to right) Johnnie Clark, Gabriel Escalera, Will Fraher
The inaugural Show Low Classic teed off at Silver Creek Golf Club October 13-14 with Johnnie Clark of Mesa (72-80) and Gabriel Escalera (79-73) of Sahuarita finishing regulation play tied for first place at 10-over-par 152. Escalera rallied on the final nine holes with seven pars and two birdies at Nos. 16 and 18 to overcome Clark’s seven-stroke, first-round lead forcing a playoff. Clark prevailed in extra holes. Will Fraher (83-83) of Mesa took third place at 24-over-par 166.
Lorel Hayward of Mesa posted two rounds in the 70s (78-72) to finish in first place at 8-over-par 150 – eight strokes clear of second-place finishers Kyla Wilde (85-73) of Phoenix and Katie Stinchcomb (77-81) of Cave Creek at 16-over-par 158. The win is Hayward’s first in the Girls Championship division to go with two wins last year in the Girls 15-18 division.
Rianna Garland (86-82) of Mesa won in the Girls 15-18 division at 26-over-par 168. Alexis Vakasiuola (83-81) of San Tan Valley won in the Girls 13-14 division at 22-over-par 164. And Mariela Bieberach (63-57) of Surprise won in the Girls 11-12 division at 48-over-par 120.
(left to right) Lorel Hayward, Kyla Wilde, Katie Stinchcomb
