Semifinals Set for 103rd W.Y. Dear Junior Championship
WASHINGTON, N.J. - Michael Asselta (pictured), Ethan Gallagher, Jake Morgan and Jack Puma have all advanced to the semifinals of the 103rd W.Y. Dear Junior Championship at Hawk Pointe Golf Club.
Asselta, 16, shot a 1-over par 73 in the stroke play portion of the championship on Monday. In his Tuesday morning round of 16 match, Asselta defeated Brooks Sanidas 1 up. In the afternoon, Asselta took down top seeded Jack St. Ledger 3 and 2 to advance to the semifinals. He will take on Gallagher of Basking Ridge Country Club.
Gallagher, 16, won his round of 16 match against Enzo Allain 5 and 3, which was highlighted by victories on holes 10, 11 and 12. In the quarterfinals, Gallagher defeated Isaac Rosenberg, 3 and 2. Gallagher once again made a run after making the turn, recording birdies on 11, 13 and 14.
Morgan, 18, is the only player in the semifinals who made it to match play in the 2023 edition of the championship. Morgan defeated No. 2 seed Jack Stamberger in the round of 16 and then Patrick Sharpe in the afternoon quarterfinals. He will take on Puma.
Puma, also 18, fired a 1-under par 71 in the stroke play portion. He defeated Nate Beck 3 and 2 in the round of 16 and Vertti Hamalainen 2 and 1 in the quarterfinals. Puma and Hamalainen were tied through 12 holes, but the Navesink Country Club product won with pars on holes 13, 14 and 17 to win the bout.
The first match will tee off at 8 a.m. and the second will follow at 8:12 a.m.
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