Sports

Hoskins, Schwarz win divisions in Hamilton tourney

By Brad Cameron/Gate City Sports Editor

Published: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:22 PM CDT

HAMILTON, Ill. - The last time Joe Hoskins competed in the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships, he finished eighth. That was more than 10 years ago.

Wednesday, Hoskins won the Boys 18-19 age division at Deer Run Golf Course with a two-over-par 146.

Hoskins can thank his friend David Wilson, playing in the Boys 20-21 age division, for the win.

“I played in it when I was a kid,” Hoskins said. “I think the last time I played in it was 1996. The only reason I played this year was because I had a friend competing here. He goes to SIU-Edwardsville and his coach wanted him to play, so I figured I would play to help get me some recognition for a college. Hopefully, this will help out a little bit.”

After shooting an even-par 72 for a five-shot lead on Tuesday, Hoskins followed with a 74 on Wednesday.

“The only difference in the two days was I wasn't hitting my approach shots as well as I did yesterday,” Hoskins said. “I hit my drives better. My putting was a little bit better, but I just missed a few short putts I shouldn't have had.”

Hoskins, who shot a 33 on the front nine Tuesday, did not have the same success on Wednesday. He shot a 38 and saw his lead at the start of the round get trimmed to two by Kenji Hernandez.

“I had a four-shot lead going into today, so I was a lot more relaxed than I probably would have been if it would have been closer,” Hoskins said.

Hernandez, who entered the second day in third, five shots behind, shot a 35 on the front nine.

“Kenji had an eagle on the sixth hole and got him back to within two,” Hoskins said. “I thought he was going to come back because he went birdie, eagle. He was getting close.”

Hoskins pulled away, however, on the back nine. He shot an even-par 36, while Hernandez fired a 39 over the final nine holes.

“I didn't feel too good on the front, but I felt I played a little bit better on the back,” Hoskins said. “I shot even on the back-side, which was a real accomplishment for me because the back got me yesterday.”

Hernandez settled for second with a 77-74-151. Kevin Flack, fifth after the first round, finished third with a 79-77-156.

Boys 20-21

Brad Schwarz played two steady rounds of golf to win the Boys 20-21 age division at Deer Run Golf Course.

Schwarz followed his 76 on Tuesday with a 75 Wednesday for a 151 and a two-shot win over Dave Fudacz.

“Today, my game was a lot more solid,” Schwarz said. “I struck every ball pure. I placed all my shots exactly where I wanted to place them. Overall, my game was just on. I sank putts again. Everything within five feet I dropped, which I'm pretty proud of that. I played exactly the way I wanted to play.”

Schwarz owned a three-shot lead over Wilson and a four-shot lead over Fudacz entering the second round. Both were within two shots after the front nine.

“I just tried to play my own game,” Schwarz said. “The scoring is done after the round. I wanted to keep a straight head and play shot by shot for the round, and I did that.”

Fudacz stayed within striking distance over the final nine holes, but Schwarz was able to maintain his lead the rest of the way to earn his first Pepsi Little People's Championship.

Schwarz has competed in the Little People's Golf Championship at the Deer Run Golf Course the last two seasons. He already is looking forward to defending his title in Hamilton next year.

“I had fun. Even though there were only four competitors here it was fun to compete in this tournament,” Schwarz said. “I'll definitely be back here next year.”