David Mills of Evansville and Molly Ward of Indianapolis were victorious at the 2009 PUMA Hoosier Junior Championship at Otter Creek GC in Columbus October 17-18. After fighting through cold and windy conditions on Saturday, Sunday’s round brought a lengthy start delay, but more favorable conditions for the players.

In the Boys’ division after the first round, Nick Grubnich of Crown Point held a two-shot lead over Mills, Adam Schenk of Vincennes and McCormick Clouser of Bluffton. Through the first nine holes of the final round, Grubnich still found himself ahead of the field with Chase Wagner of Bedford. But Mills was only one back coming off a double bogey at the ninth. Grubnich then caught a string of bogeys on the back nine to take him out of contention. The par-five 14^th hole proved to be the turning point in the championship as Mills made birdie to Wagner’s bogey to take a one shot lead that he would never relinquish. Mills finished with birdie on 18 to take home a three-shot victory at six-over par. Wagner and Schenk finished tied for second three shots back.

On the Girls’ side, Sunday began with a tie atop the leaderboard between Ward and Paige Crafton of Indianapolis. Due to the morning delay, the lead groups of girls started their rounds on number 18, and a par on that first hole gave Ward a one-shot lead that wouldn’t be challenged until late in the round. Ward built as much as a three-shot lead through the first five holes over Crafton and reigning Indiana State Junior champion Taylor Gohn, Columbus, who was charging from the group in front. Ward maintained her lead, until a triple-bogey on the par-four 16^th dropped her into a tie for the lead with Gohn heading into their final hole. Ahead of the final pairing, Gohn double-bogeyed the 17^th hole, which allowed Ward to make bogey and secure a one-shot victory. Gohn dropped into a tie for second with Crafton and Brooke Beegle of Fortville. The win was the first major victory for Ward in Indiana Golf Foundation events.

Ward is a freshman at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. Mills is in his senior year at Evansville North High School and has committed to play golf at Indiana University next Fall.

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