1957
1st Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The first Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament was held in conjunction with the 7th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Senior. The Senior T-O was already an established invitational that drew the best players in the two-state area. This first junior tournament was the brainstorm of the Weeks Park Men’s Golf Association and the Wichita Falls, Parks-Recreation Department.

The idea behind the T-O Junior was to encourage junior golfers by giving them their own tournament in which to compete. It was the first of its kind in the two-state area and drew 118 entries in its inaugural year.

The pre-tournament favorite was a Wichita Falls High student named Rocky Thompson. The 17-year-old Thompson had already established himself as one of the most promising junior golfers in the area, but the T-O Junior would elude him as it did some many fine city players.

Mark Kizziar, an 18-year-old Altus, Okla., standout fired a brilliant 2-under-par 69 on Monday to take the medalist honors. That fine round was only the beginning of the sub-par golf in the junior tournament.

The T-O Junior was set up with a match play format except for the final 36 holes of the championship flight, which would be medal play. On Tuesday, Denton’s Don Hurst eliminated Thompson in a first-round match, 2-1. Thompson went on the claim the consolation title that year with a 4-under-par 68 in the final round.

After Thompson was eliminated, the attention shifted to 16-year-old Jerry Holmes, another fine city player who qualified for the final foursome. Kizziar, Holmes, Amarillo’s Robert Tennant and Houston’s Bryant ?Babe? Hiskey were the four finalist who teed it up Thursday to decide who would claim the first T-O Junior Title.

Tennant took the lead at the end of the first 18 holes with an even-par 71. Holmes, with a huge gallery cheering him on, stayed in the hunt just three shots back. Hiskey carded a 75.

But on the final 18 Hiskey showed some of the talent that would enable him to become a fine tour professional in the years to come. With a hot putter and some pinpoint shotmaking, Hiskey fired a four-under-par 67 on the final 18 to turn a close tournament into a runaway.

Holmes, who would gain a reputation as the perennial bridesmaid in this tournament, finished second five shots back. Tennant, tiring in the hot Texas afternoon, faded to a 78 in the final round to finish third.

The first T-O Junior was history, but it was only the beginning of a golf tournament, which would grow into one of the most important events in the Southwest.

1958
2nd Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The second annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament was held separately from the Senior T-O since it had already established itself in a single year as a popular event.

The second T-O Junior drew an incredible 192 junior golfers, which caused problems for the Weeks Park Golf Association. In a effort to promote junior golf, the sponsors had decided to allow each junior to play in the tournament for free. Not only was there no entry fee, but the tournament sponsors took the responsibility of finding housing for all of the young golfers during their stay in Wichita Falls.

Some free accommodations were provided at the Midwestern State University dormitories, but many Wichitan’s opened their homes to house boys commuting from the two-state area. The golfers were also provided free meals, so the entire week cost them nothing more than the price of gasoline, (which wasn’t much in those days).

The city hopefuls that year included the 1957 runner-up Jerry Holmes and Rocky Thompson. But a strong field of players, including Oklahoma State University freshman Labron Harris, Jr., also had visions of a T-O Junior title dancing in their heads.

Qualifying was scheduled for Wednesday, but rain interrupted play and delayed the tournament a day. On Thursday, Holmes gave his hometown fans something to brag about by taking medalist honors with an even-par 71. Thompson was also impressive with a 73.

The highlight of Friday’s action was a semifinal match between brothers Jerry and Doug Holmes for the right to compete in the final foursome Saturday. It was the first time 17-year-old Jerry and 15-year-old Doug had ever faced each other in competition. But experience was the difference as Jerry, determined to win this year’s tournament, fired a two-under-par 69 to win the match 6-5.

Friday was also another disappointment for Wichitan Rocky Thompson who was upset by Spike Eoff of Duncan, Okla., 2-1. The semifinal loss was the end of Thompson’s T-O Junior career since he would be turning 19 and be ineligible the following year.

The final four this year included Holmes, Eoff, Billy Wiggs of Denton and Ross Teeter of Austin. They put on quite a show in one of the closest T-O Juniors in history.

It looked like Holmes would nab the title as he continued to play good, steady golf. His 73 on the first 18 led Tetter by a stroke, and he built that lead to three shots at the end of 27 holes. But that lead disappeared with bogies on 10, 11 and 13 to set up the first sudden-death playoff.

Wiggs and Eoff, who stayed close until the final nine holes, finished two and four strokes back respectively, the difference between a three-way playoff.

In the playoff, Holmes saw his hopes dashed when his tee shot found the lake on the left side of the green. Teeter birdied to wrap up the title and make Holmes the runner-up for the second straight year.

1959
3rd Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Jerry Holmes, eager to shake his bridesmaid reputation after two successive second place finishes, was the pre-tournament favorite for the third annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament.

It was the 18-year-old’s last chance to win the tournament and he had come so close to winning the previous year that he could almost taste a win. Another fine city player, A.C. King, was also given a chance to bring the city its first T-O Junior title.

The format of the tournament was changed this year to medal play for championship flight. In the previous events, players competed in match play on the first two days and then the final four played 36 holes of medal play. A record 205 junior golfers entered.

Rain postponed the first day of qualifying again that year, but the wet conditions didn’t hinder a Borger, Texas youth named Jerry Abbott. Abbott fired a sizzling five-under-par 66 the following day to easily win the medal.

Pete Hatchell of Oklahoma City grabbed the first round lead, Friday, with an even par 71. Holmes and Abbott carded 72s to trail by a single stroke. Defending champion Ross Teeter struggled to a 77 under difficult weather conditions.

Another 1-1/2 inches of rain caused a delay in Saturday’s second round, but Holmes came in an even-par 71 to tie Hatchett at 143 with Sunday’s 36-hole final ahead.

The largest gallery in the tournament’s young history turned out Sunday to see if Holmes could finally break his runner-up streak, but it was not to be as Hatchett toured the first 18 holes in 69 to open a five-shot lead.

Hatchett was able to coast home with a 71 in the afternoon round to finish with a one-under-par 283 and win the tournament by six shots - the biggest margin of history to that date.

Holmes’ 289 total was good for another second place finish and to this date he’s still the only golfer to finish runner-up three times. Teeter rallied for a third place finish with a 295 total.

1960
4th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament, already one of the biggest junior golf tournaments in the country, took on added prestige as golfing legend Ben Hogan agreed to appear at a clinic in connection with the 4th Annual event.

Hogan had gained the nickname ?Iceman? during his tour days because he would not talk with the galleries. The Texas great explained that he was not being unfriendly, but only concentrating so hard that he forgot they were there. But on this particular occasion, Hogan showed what a warm person he was by agreeing to put on the clinic and speak to the juniors at a banquet without being paid.

The news of Hogan’s appearance excited the entire Southwest as the number of entries double from 205 in 1959 to an unbelievable 422 in 1960. Hundreds of enthusiastic junior golfers and their parents crowed into Weeks Park to see the master stage and hour-long clinic the day before the tournament started.

After an afternoon full of tips on the game of golf, the scene shifted to Midwestern State University where Hogan addressed the banquet on the game of life. He gave an inspiring talk on courage and told his own story of recovering from a near-fatal automobile accident to rise to the top in his profession again.

The focus was back on the juniors Wednesday as Borger’s Jerry Abbott repeated as medalist in the qualifying round. His fine 69 included a record 31 on the back nine.

But for the remainder of the tournament, the spotlight was on Norman Taylor of Dallas. The 17-year-old carded a one-shot lead over Jen Elliott of Stephenville and Bobby Lockett of San Angelo.

Taylor, showing the poise of a seasoned pro, built that lead to two shots on Friday with two-under-par 69 to give him a 139 total. Only Elliott was able to stay close with a 70 that left him a 141 at the halfway point.

On Saturday, however, it was all Taylor as the junior’s golf was in a class by itself. He fired closing rounds of 70 and 67, establishing a new tournament record of 276 - nine strokes better than Borger’s Don Lackey. He was the only player to ever shoot four sub-par rounds in the tournament.

Elliott and Richard Killiar finished third at 291 - 15 shots off Taylor’s incredible pace.

1961
5th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

A promising young junior golfer named Bill Holstead nearly stole the show in the 5th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament.  The 14-year-old Wichitan began by dazzling visiting pro Earl Stewart in a nine-hole exhibition and finished by coming within a whisker of being the youngest player to ever win the tournament.

After 400 youngsters attended the Dallas professional’s clinic, Stewart played the front nine of Weeks Park with defending champion Norman Taylor, Jay Cole of Fredrick, Okla., J.W. Hawkins of Jacksboro and Holstead.

Holstead not only beat Taylor and the other two juniors, but came within a stroke of tying the amazed pro.

A trio of Texans, Mike Fry, Mike Cervin, and Jay Cole shared medalist honors on Wednesday with two-under-par 69s, but a problem of sheer numbers created havoc at Weeks Park.

The number of junior golfers had grown again from the previous year, numbering close to 450, and it was close to impossible to accommodate that many golfers on one golf course. Despite starting the first players at dawn, some were forced to finish in darkness.

Times sports writer Buddy Works reported that dozens of spectators helped out by shining their headlights on fairways and greens to enable the golfers to play the final holes.

City fans, still hoping for a local boy to win, had something to cheer about Thursday when Doug Holmes carded to three-under-par 68 to grab the first round lead.

Holmes, the younger brother of three-time runner-up Jerry Holmes, led the field by two shots after a flawless round including 15 pars and 3 birdies. Dave Eichelberger of Waco and Mike Madlock of Marshall were the only other players to break par with one-under-par 70.

But Holmes stumbled in Saturday’s second round as a cold putter and some bad bounces resulted in a 79 that dropped him back to a third-place tie. Eichelberger’s 73 was good for a two-shot lead. Hadlock managed a 75 to remain alone in second place and Jeff Voss of Dallas carded a one-under-par 70 to tie Holmes at 147.

Almost unnoticed in the scramble for the lead was young Holstead who also fired a 70 on Friday after a first-round 79. But he would make his presence know soon enough.

On Saturday morning, Holstead moved into a share of the lead with a sizzling five-under-parr 66 that deadlocked him with Voss. Eichelberger was a stroke off the pace after scrambling for another 73. But in the afternoon round, it turned into a two-man tournament as Voss and Holstead outdistanced the rest with their sub-par golf.

Paired together for the final 18 holes, the two battled head-to-head. The 17-year-old Dallas youth gained the upper hand on the back nine and lead by two going into the par 3 17th hole. But Holstead canned a 35-foot birdie putt, and when Voss bogied, they were tied again with just one hole left to play.

After good drives, both players missed the green with their second shots. Holstead was away and hit his chip to within six inches of the cup. The pressure shifted off Voss, but he responded with another fine shot that stopped just a foot away. Voss holed his putt, and with a playoff almost assured. Holstead missed an apparent tap in to give the Dallas golfer the title in the most exciting T-O Junior to date.

1962
6th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The growing number of junior golfers forced the 6th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament to be played on two courses. A record 475 junior golfers signed up to play in what was now the biggest junior golf tournament in the world.

Another golfing legend, Bryon Nelson, was the guest pro this year, and after a demonstration of shot-making accuracy, he played nine holes with the 1961 T-O Junior champ and runner-up Jeff Voss and Bill Holstead.

Holstead seemed ready to take up where he left off the previous year as he matched the golfing great with a two-over-par 38 on the front nine of Weeks Park. But the 15-year-old Holstead would not be a factor in this year’s tournament.

But the golf was still as hot as the weather. In Wednesday’s qualifying round, Amarillo’s Steve LaCrone and Conroe’s Danny Nichol, the Texas State Amateur runner-up, tied for medalist honors with 66s.

But in Thursday’s first round at Wichita Falls Country Club, it was Voss who appeared ready to defend his title. He carded a three-under-par 68 on the more difficult course to take a one-shot lead over Eugene Mitchell of Dallas and Gaylong Burk of Oklahoma City.

Voss built his lead to four shots on Friday with a even-par 71 and a 36-hole total of 139. Mitchell carded a 74 to remain in second place with a 143 total. LaCrone and Beaumont’s Randy Wolfe were six back at 145.

Voss seemed a shoo-in on Saturday as the Dallas star burned up the first 16 holes in 3-under fashion to extend his lead to eight strokes. But just when everything was going his way, he ran into trouble with a careless bogey on 17 and a double-bogey on the 18th hole.

Mitchell, playing steady golf, pared 17 and birdied 18 to cut the lead in half.

Despite a four-shot lead, Voss’ confidence had slipped away and he ballooned to a 42 on the next nine to relinquish the lead for good. Mitchell went on to win the tournament by five shots.

1963
7th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Young Bill Holstead, still hoping to bring the first Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament title home, was the city’s main hope in the 7th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament.

But the tournament itself was in jeopardy. Tournament sponsors were finding it more difficult each year to house and feed 400-plus young golfers wanting to enter. But Wichitans again responded by opening their homes to the youngsters and every participant had a place to stay during the tournament.

The host pro for this year’s event was Texan Don January. The lean tour pro, at the height of his PGA career, showed junior golfers how he hit those low, screaming irons and some of the finer points of the short game.

Juniors set out the next day in 100-degree-plus weather and Don Furguson of Dallas sizzled to a three-under-par 68 to take the medalist honors.

In first round action, no one shattered par, but the trio of  Rick Proctor of Dallas, Robert McKinney of Lubbock, and Robert Holmes of Oklahoma City posted 72s. Holstead could only manage a 78.

No one seemed to want the lead in the second round as Proctor finally claimed it with a two-over par 73 for 145 total and a one shot lead. Holmes and Kenny Brown of Denton were next at 146.

But Saturday it was Holstead, again, who came on with a flurry of birdies and pars to move into contention. His two-under par 69 enabled him to move six strokes back to within two of the lead. But another golfer also moved into contention. Houston’s Bob Diamond matched Holstead’s 69 to tie Proctor for the lead at 218 with young Bill two back going into the final 18 holes.

It turned into a two-man duel reminiscent of two years before as Proctor faded out of the picture and Diamond and Holstead battled it out.

The lead changed hands several times with Holstead one ahead at the turn. Diamond birdied 10 to tie things up and the pair was still tied going into the 17th, but Holstead muffed a short pitch shot on the par 3 to enable Diamond to take the lead and the Houston golfer wrapped things up on 18 with a par.

Holstead became the second golfer to finish runner-up more than once in the T-O Junior. Still no golfer had won the tournament more than once.

1964
8th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Another rising star appeared on the horizon in the 8th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. The name of Massengale was already familiar to the golf world in the person of Don. But the PGA tour pro was going to have to share the spotlight with his brother in the near future. And Ricky gave evidence of that fact in Wichita Falls that year.

The T-O Junior drew over 400 entries for the fifth year in a row as young golfers flocked into the city Tuesday to see Texas A&M golf coach Henry Ranson and tee it up under the hot Texas sun.

Ranson, a tour pro before taking the Aggie coaching job, gave youngsters tips on how to play Texas-type golf, shots like the punch shot into the wind and a low draw off the tee. The emphasis was on the kind of shots young golfers needed when playing courses in the Southwest.

Panhandle golfers dominated qualifying on Wednesday as Buddy Hamilton of Amarillo and Richard Ellis of Pampa tied for medalist honors with even-par 71s. Hamilton birdied three of the last four holes while local favorite Bill Holstead faltered to lose his shot at the medal. Holstead double-bogied the 13th and 18th holes on the back nine to card a 72 and finish third. The difference was a missed 4-foot putt on the last hole.

Another Amarillo junior, James Herring, grabbed the first round lead with a one-under-par 70 Thursday at Wichita Falls Country Club. Close behind was Lubbock's Robert McKinney who was two-under going into 16, but bogied two out of the last three holes. Three golfers were tied for third place with 73s and Holstead was four strokes back with a 74.

McKinney took charge in Friday’s second round with a one-under-par 72 that spotted him to a four-shot lead over Dallas’ Tom Wright. Another Dallas junior, Ras Ellis, was six back. Almost unnoticed was Massengale, seven shots off the pace.

Action moved back to Weeks Park Saturday and McKinney continued his consistent par-shooting to card another 72 and maintain his four-stroke lead with 18 holes left to play.

Wright matched that score, but Massengale had begun to make his move. The long-hitting 16-year-old fired a two-under-par 69 to tie Wright for second.

The sweet swinging McKinney saw his lead disappear quickly on the front nine as putting problems enabled Massengale and Wright to close in and make it a three-man race to the wire. With nine holes left, Massengale had pulled even and Wright was just one back.

It looked like the Jacksboro youth’s charge might end on the par three 10th hole when he double-bogied. Wright pulled even with a par as McKinney bogied.

But the bad hole only served to inspire Massengale to a scrambling par on 11 and a 40-foot birdie putt on No. 12 to take the lead.

McKinney, three back after Massengale’s stroke dropped on 12, rallied to birdie 13 and 14 to pull within one, but Massengale slammed the door on his opponents with birdies on 14,15, and 16.

1965
9th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Wichita Falls was still without a local champion in the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament and Bill Bolstead, playing some of the best golf of his life, hoped to change that. Although he would win the Texas-Oklahoma Senior Tournament the same summer, the junior title would elude him in his final attempt.

The tournament favorite was Jacksboro’s Rik Massengale, the defending champion seeking to be the first to successfully defend his title. But Oklahomans also had a score to settle. A golfer from north of the Red River hadn’t won since Pete Hatchett nabbed the title in 1959. A 15-year-old Oklahoma City junior named Mark Hayes was the favorite to end the Lone Star State’s domination.

The visiting professional for the 9th annual tournament was Oklahoma State University golf coach Labron Harris. Harris had gained a reputation as one of the finest coaches in history at OSU since he began building a program there in 1946.

Harris both informed and entertained his young audience by giving advice  on shot making while telling stories about the various golfing greats he knew through the years.

It was Dallas junior Tom Wright, third place finisher the previous year, who took the medal on Wednesday. He carded a four-under-par 67, recovering from a rough start to play the last 12 holes six-under par. Jay Dunbar of Memphis was only one back with a 68.

But the Sooner hope, Hayes, grabbed the headlines and first round lead on Thursday with a one-under-par 70 at Wichita Falls Country Club to lead by two. Five golfers were tied at 72 including Wright and Massengale.

On Friday, Massengale gave notice that he planned to make it two titles in a row as he fired a one-under-par 70 to move into a share of the lead with Brook Simmons of Fort Worth. Hayes slipped to a 73 to trail by a single shot and Wright carded another 72 to remain two off the lead.

Saturday’s 36-hole finals at Weeks Park proved to be a seesaw battle as first one and then another golfer took the lead only to fall back.

Massengale started off confidently, but a ball out-of-bounds on No. 2 was the beginning of the end. He soon slipped out of contention on his was to an 80.

Amarillo’s Buddy Hamilton, two strokes back when Saturday’s first round began, toured the first 18 in three-under-par figures to take a three-shot lead over Hayes. But putting problems crept up on him in the afternoon round.

Hayes, almost unnoticed, began to make his move after a 73 in the morning round. He cut Hamilton’s advantage to one at the end of 63 holes and drew even at 10 with a par.

The Oklahoma Junior took the lead for good at 13 with another par and birdies at 14 and 16 iced the second title for Oklahoma in the tournament’s history.

1966
10th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The 10th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament would not be remembered as the best-played tournament. But it would not go down in the record books since ten-over-par won. But it would be dear to Wichitan's hearts since it produced the first city champion in the tournament's history.

What fine junior golfers like Jerry and Bill Holstead could not accomplish, a former Rider golf star would. But not before one of the most exciting finishes ever.

Texas golf professional Ernie Vossler, the guest pro, commented that the city could be proud of having the finest junior golf tournament in the world. And the golfers again proved that with fierce, close competition.

Ted Goin of Seminole easily won the medal Wednesday with a three-under-par 68. But like so many past medalist winners, he was not a factor in the tournament.

Watered fairways and tough pin placements caused scores to soar in Thursday's first round at Wichita Falls Country Club. Only one golfer, Richard Ellis of Pampa, matched par 71. Defending champion Hayes struggled to 76, and Goin shot 82, 14 shots higher than his 68 the day before at Weeks Park.

In second place, one stroke back, were Mike Mosser of Garland and Jim Deaton of Oklahoma City.

The higher scores continued to roll in on Friday as Terry Jastrow of Midland took the lead with a one-over-par 143 total. Deaton and Fred Smith of Lubbock were a stroke back at 144, Ellis ballooned to an 81.

But as had happened more than once in the past, a golfer came from far off the pace of challenge in Saturday's 36-hole final.

Mike Castles, opening round 76 had left him back in the pack, but a 72 on Friday had improved his standing. He crept up slowly on the leaders Saturday, despite a modest two-over-par 73 in the morning round.

But while Castles was moving up Deaton had taken a commanding three-stroke lead at the end of 54 holes. Deaton had been the picture of consistency, with scores of 72, 72, and 73. Four golfers, Jastrow, Tom Evans of Dallas, Joe Dills of Muskogee, and Mike Doyle of Haltom City were deadlock at 220.

Deaton made a mistake on the last round that would come back to haunt him. He began to play conservatively and lost the edge that had enabled him to gain the lead. Evans, playing steadily, was in a position to take charge when he took the lead going into the final nine holes. But late bogies frustrated him in the end.

While Deaton and Evans played each other instead of the course, Castles continued to sneak up on the leaders as he completed play with another 73. Evans' bogey on 17 dropped him two behind Deaton, but the Oklahoma junior needed a par to beat out the Wichitan who was watching from behind 18 green.

He hit the green with his second shot, but his approach putt came up seven-feet short. When his par attempt rimmed out, a surprised Castles learned he was in a playoff for the championship.

The golfers played sudden-death holes in the failing light, but could not break the deadlock. So they agreed on an 18-hole playoff the next day to settle things.

If there was such a thing as a homecourt advantage, Castles used it the following day. After he fell behind by three shots in the first six holes, he was aided by a huge cheering gallery and battled back. He moved within one shot at the turn and took the lead briefly on the second nine. However, when the 18 holes were completed the pair was still tied.

So again the scene shifted to the first hole and a sudden-death playoff. Deaton hit first and put his tee shot on the fringe of the green. Castles' drive was about 10 yards off the right side. When his chip finished 20 feet short, the advantage shifted to Deaton. He putted seven feet past and appeared ready to frustrate the city's hopes for a title. But Castles cooly rammed in his 20-footer to put the pressure back on his opponent.

With the tables turned, Deaton missed his seven-footer and Wichita Falls had its first local champion.

1967
11th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

No junior golfer had won the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament more than once in the tournament history. And no player had ever captured medalist honors and gone on to win the title. In the 11th annual tournament, a young Oklahoman did both.

Mark Hayes had impressed golf fans two years before when the 15-year-old had shot even-par golf to become the youngest champion to date. Now 17, Hayes had matured into an even better player and that was bad news for his competition.

Wichita Falls Country Club Pro Bill Garrett, host for the golf clinic, was heard to remark that the best junior golfers in the country were at this tournament. He found out how right he was when three of them, Hayes, Mike Zinnai, a local favorite, and Mike Faulks of Oklahoma City, tied him in a nine-hole exhibition.

The following day, Hayes gave everyone an idea of what to expect with three-under-par 68 at Weeks Park to nab medalist honors by two shots. Hayes had moved to Stillwater the year before and was working under Labron Harris. His game showed it - solid from driver down to putter.

But Thursday the Oklahoma junior star had problems, struggling to a 40 on the front nine at Wichita Falls Country Club. He recovered on the back nine with an even-par 35, but was seven shots off the pace.

Joe Dills of Muskogee, Oklahoma took the first-round lead with a 68. Dills used a pair of  eagles on the front nine to blaze a three-under 33 and held par on the back side.

Wichitan Don Brown, hoping to be the 2nd city player in a row to win the championship, was a stroke back at 69. He was joined there by Austin star Tom Kite and Arlington junior Gary Wolfe.

It began to look like a two-man tournament in the second round as Dills maintained his lead with an even-par 71 and Kite matched that score to stay one back. Hayes fashioned a two-under-par 69 to move within five strokes of the lead. Brown struggled to 76 to stay in fourth place.

On Friday, golf fans got a preview of the ability of two future PGA stars. It was Kite and Hayes in the battle of the birdies. While Kite was fashioning a three-under-par 68 to take the lead from Dills. Hayes was burning a five-under-par 66 to move within two. That set the stage for the dramatic 18 hole finish.

Hayes pulled even with Kite on the first hole when the Texan's drive found the water. Hayes rolled in a birdie putt to account for the two-stroke swing.

The lead changed hands two more times on the front nine, but Kite regained a one-shot advantage at the turn. Hayes lost another stroke with a bogey on 10, but a bogey on 11 by Kite closed the gap. Another bogey by Kite on the 14th squared things up again.

After both golfers pared 15, Hayes unleashed a 350 yard tee shot on the par 5 15th hole in front of stunned spectators. That left him only a 4-iron, to the green, and he put it on the front about 50 feet from the hole.

The pressure shifted to Kite who missed the green with his third shot and was unable to salvage par. Although Hayes three-putted, he held the lead by one.

Both golfers pared the 17th hole, to set up the dramatic climax on No. 18. After good tee shots just short of the creek, Hayes hit the green about 30 feet from the hole. Now it was Kite's turn to put the pressure on the Oklahoman with an 8-iron to just seven feet of the hole.

Hayes hit a nice lag and tapped in for par. Kite, in a do-or-die situation, saw his put dip just below the cup to end one of the greatest golf duels ever played at Weeks Park.

1968
12th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The memory of Mark Hayes' thrilling come-from behind win in the 1967 Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament had haunted Tom Kite for a year. But the Austin junior had one more chance to shoot at the important junior title and he planned to make the most of it.

The 12th Annual T-O Junior was played on three courses with the difficult Sheppard Air Force Base course being added to Weeks Park and Wichita Falls Country Club. Hot, windy weather and the long course would make the T-O Junior a more difficult test for that year's crop of players.

Visiting pro Ross Collins, host for the annual clinic, had a habit of doing things backwards compared to most golfers. But the Dallas professional, the left-handed national champion, was just as effective from the left side as his peers were from the right. He had useful tips for juniors and played a nine-hole exhibition to kick things off on Monday.

Hayes was not back to challenge Kite again this year, but another fine junior named Joey Dills was. Dills, of Moskogee, Okla., finished third behind Hayes and Kite in 1967, and this year he claimed the medalist honors with a fine 68 over the Weeks Park layout. The round included a blistering 32 on the back nine. But the rest of the tournament belonged to Kite. The 17-year-old junior played steady, consistent golf under difficult conditions to outclass the field while leading from wire-to-wire.

Play opened at Sheppard on Wednesday, and Kite's 1 -under-par 71 gave him a three-shot lead. The Sheppard course put a premium on long iron play because of its length, and Kite's iron game was superb. He kept his cool while high winds tore his competitors' games apart. Three golfers. Bobby Cox of Amarillo, Bill Powell of Jacksboro and Marc Welch of Dallas, managed 74s to stay within three after the first round.

Kite extended his lead to six on Thursday after an even-par 71 at Wichita Falls Country Club as tough pin placements and more wind added to the difficulty of the Country Club course. Cox carded his second straight 74 to stay in second place while Powell and Dills shared third nine shots off the pace.

Saturday was a cake walk for the Texan who was never challenged, cruising through the 36 hole final at Weeks Park with a 72-73 effort to win by 11 strokes - the biggest margin of victory in the tournamentÕs history. Cox edged out Dills for second and Wichitan Bill VanDeventer took fourth place.

1969
l3th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament had only one local champion in its first 12 years, but some promising young Wichitans hoped to change that in the 13th Annual Tournament.

Guest pro Eldridge Miles not only put on an interesting clinic for nearly 400 youngsters, but demonstrated some excellent golf himself in the exhibition match. The Dallas pro carded a 3-under-par 33 at Weeks Park and quipped that he should have hit the tour that week instead of coming to Wichita Falls.

But the juniors were ready to display some red-hot golf themselves. With the T-O Junior continuing to grow, the tournament expanded to all four city courses this year with championship flight players scheduled to play each course once in the 72-hole total this year.

Tuesday's opening round gave the large galleries something to cheer about as two Wichitans stole the show. Notre Dame High School junior Bobby Harwell carded a four-under-par 67 to grab both the medal and the first round lead and Wichita Falls High School star John Kable carded a fine 2-under-par 69 to hold second place.

The action shifted to Skyline Wednesday and Kable's one-over-par 71 moved him into a tie with Harwell who slipped to 73. But two other golfers closed in with sub-70 rounds. Fort Worth's Steve Robinson fired a two-under-par 68 to move within two strokes in third place and Oklahoma City's Bruce Scott carded a 69 to move into fourth place three off the lead.

The entire field took a beating Thursday at Sheppard as Harwell ballooned to a five-over-par 77, but still maintained a one-shot lead. Kable fell four shots back with an 81, but Scott and two other players closed to within one stroke of Harwell.

Sherman's Sale Omohundro and Lubbock's John Connie moved up with 74 and 73 respectively to get back into contention while most of the field lived a golfing nightmare on the treacherous 7200 yard course.

With the four so closely bunched, the tournament would be decided by which junior could best handle Wichita Falls Country Club in Friday's final round. And that golfer turned out to be Scott who putted his way to a masterful two-under-par 69 to win by four. Scott caught Harwell early in the round and raced on past with a blistering back nine that included birdies on 10, 12, 14. and 17 to finish with a 287 total. Harwell won a playoff for second place with Mark Williams of Richardson who matched Scott's 69.

1970
14th Annual T-O Tournament

The Athlete of the Decade, one of the most popular sports figures of the 1960's or any other era, come to Wichita Falls for the 14th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. And North Texas was never the same after Arnold Palmer's one day visit to conduct the golf clinic.

Over 5,000 golf fans from across the state jammed into Weeks Park Monday afternoon to attend Palmer's clinic and watch the golfing  great play seven exhibition holes with four junior golfers. And no one was disappointed by what they saw.

Palmer may not have said anything new about golf, but the man kept his audience spellbound throughout the 45 minute clinic. Palmer showed his entire bag of tricks, hitting hooks and fades as he called them, low shots and high shots, and some screaming 300-yard drives while joking and signing autographs for the juniors.

In the exhibition match, Wichitan Bobby Harwell almost stole the show from the master as he eagled the first hole by canning a 100 foot chip and birdied the second hole in a dazzling display of golf. Also joining in the exhibition match were Oklahomans Mark DeBolt and Bruce Scott, and Texas junior star named Ben Crenshaw.

Crenshaw had realized a dream when he played with Palmer in the exhibition. But he had already made a name for himself at the tender age of 18 as the low amateur in that year's U.S. Open. And on Tuesday he showed some of that tremendous talent with a four-under-par 67 at Weeks Park to win medalist honors.

Crenshaw edged out Bobby LeCroix of Austin by a stroke. Harwell, DeBolt, Patrick Wheeler of Tyler and Bucky Sheffield of Lubbock also shattered the 70 mark with 69's. Harwell's round included a sparkling 31 on the back nine.

Crenshaw and San Antonio star Mike Hueginger set the pattern for the remainder of the tournament as they carded three-under-par 67's to share the first round lead after Wednesday's round at Skyline C.C. Wheeler and DeBolt carded 69's to tie for third.

Crenshaw was awesome from tee to green, hitting 3 greens in one under regulation (two par 5Õs and the par four 18th which he drove). He three-putted the final green to miss out on a 66.

Huebinger claimed the second round lead as action switched to the difficult Skyline course. His 1-under-par 71 was only one of two sub-par rounds of the day to put him one ahead of Crenshaw who matched par. The other sub-par rounds was by Arlington's David Payne who also shot 71 to trail by six shots. Wheeler managed a 74 to stay in third place five behind Huebinger.

In Friday's finals, it was a two-man show with Crenshaw and Huebinger outdistancing the field. Crenshaw took command in the morning round with a fine one-under-par 70 at Wichita Falls Country Club while Huebinger struggled to a 76. Crenshaw was able to extend his lead to six shots after an even-par front nine at Weeks Park in the afternoon round and seemed ready to make a rout of it. But a triple-bogey six on 10 and a bogey on 11 cut his advantage to two shots.

Huebinger still trailed by two going into the par 4 18th. It was here that Crenshaw got an incredible bit of luck that he'll never forget. Hesitant to hit the driver, the blond bomber switched to a 3-wood and then watched as the booming shot headed for the creek about 240 yards off the tee. But the ball, as if it had eyes, rolled across the bridge and wound up just 100 yards from the green in perfect position.

A grateful Crenshaw hit a wedge on the green and easily two putted for the two-shot win.

1971
15th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The only thing that could have made the 1970 Texas-Oklahoma Junior better after Palmer's appearance would have been another local champion. But Bobby Harwell, despite some great moments, couldn't compete with Ben Crenshaw and Mike Hueginger.

Crenshaw and Huebinger did not return for the 15th Annual T-O and local stars like David Norris and Scott Haynie hoped they could bring the city its second T-O Junior championship.

The 15th T-O Junior was to be one of the most bizarre in the tournament's history. Leaders would change as quickly as the weather and in the end the city realized its dream with a local junior's 11th hour charge netting him a stunning win.

Following visiting pro Billy Martindale's clinic, the juniors took to the course for qualifying. And it was 17-year-old Phil Green who took the medal with a 67 that spotted him a one-shot lead in the first round. Mark Witt of Irving was just one back and four golfers headed by Norris carded 69's.

As always, Sheppard proved troublesome for the juniors on Wednesday as Witt's 74 enabled him to move into a tie for the lead with Green who managed a 75. Steve Cook of Dallas also had a 74 to move within one stroke and John Adams of Midland and Don Robertson of Denton carded the only sub-par rounds of 71 to tie for the third spot.

A close tournament suddenly turned into a one-man show on Thursday as Robertson opened up a six-shot lead. His score was only one-over-par on Wichita Falls Country Club, but his competitors fell by the wayside. Cases in point: Green with 81. Cook with 83 and Witt withdrawing after unmentionable woes.

While Robertson was taking command on Thursday, Haynie had snuck into the picture, gaining ground despite a less-than impressive 76. In fourth place, eight behind Robertson. It seemed the best he could hope for was a shot at second place. But strange things can happen in the game of golf.

Robertson's task was simple in Friday's final round at Weeks Park. Just avoid disaster and coast to victory. But it was easier said than done.

Haynie got off to a slow start, bogeying three holes on the front nine, but still gaining ground on Robertson who turned in 41. Down by six with nine holes to play, he suddenly caught fire as Robertson continued to run off a long string of bogies.

While Robertson was bogeying 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16, Haynie was steadily gaining round with pars. A birdie on 15 brought him within a stroke and after another birdie on 16 he suddenly found himself in the lead.

Robertson moved back into a tie on 17 when he pared and Haynie bogied and they moved to the 18th hole all even.

Robertson hit first and hooked his tee shot behind some threes. Haynie then split the middle with his three wood and was just off the green with a six-iron approach shot. The pressure was on his opponent and he was unable to get close enough to make par. Haynie's tap-in enabled him to become the second Wichitan to ever win the T-O Junior.

1972
16th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Wichitans' hopes were high in the 16th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament after Scott Haynie's dramatic win the previous year. And Haynie was back to defend that title along with local talent like David Norris and Todd Finkler. But it was also a strong year for junior golfers outside the city as Lindy Miller of Fort Worth led an impressive group of Texans and Tommy Jones of Tulsa topped the Sooner list.

The T-O Junior featured a unique pre-tournament event this year pitting top Texas and Oklahoma players in a team competition. The Texans won the battle, but an Oklahoman would win the war. Following the golf clinic hosted by Texas pro J.W. McClure, the tournament got under way with opening day looking promising for city players as David Norris who carded a fine 3-under-par 68 to share medalist honors and the first round lead with Steve Walser of Oklahoma City. Wichitan Finkler was just a stroke back at 69, tied with John Hood of Borger and Mark Woolfe of Arlington. Haynie's even-par 71 left him only three back.

A scrambling 1-over-par 73 at Sheppard gave Norris solo leadership following Wednesday's round, but Miller's even-par 72 moved him with in a shot of the lead and a second place tie with Tim Wilson of Austin. Wilson was the golfer to break par at Sheppard with a one-under-par 71. Walser faded to 8 1 and dropped 8 strokes off the pace.

Thursday's round belonged to Jones; who fired a remarkable 3-under-par 68 at Wichita Falls Country Club to move from three shots back into a three shot lead. A hot putter and deadly iron game was instrumental in the Tulsan's success. Miller and Wilson both toured the Country Club course in 72 to remain in a second place tie. Norris met his Waterloo with a fat 83 that dropped him 12 back.

Jones was never challenged on Friday's final round at Weeks Park as he continued his red-hot putting on his way to a three-under-par 68 and a 72-hole total of 280 and a four-shot victory.

Miller's 69 enabled him to capture second place with a 284 total - good enough to win many past tournaments. Wilson finished third with a 285 total.

1973
17th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Fort Worth junior star Lindy Miller had to feel snakebit after finishing runner-up in the 16th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. His 284 total would have been good enough to win most years. But not in 1972 as Tulsa's Tommy Jones was a shot better.

Unfortunately, for the 16-year-old Milier, Jones was back to defend his title. And in the end it would be the same pair that would battle for the championship. Another fine tour pro, Rives McBee, was in Wichita Falls to host the annual clinic and he echoed the sentiments of his predecessors - he'd never seen so many junior golfers in one place at one time. Over 400 showed up at Weeks Park Monday for the clinic.

Action got under way Tuesday, but neither of the co-favorites were able to take the first round lead. Instead it was Bill Sulley of Andrews, Texas, who whipped the North Texas winds to card a 69 and claim medalist honors at Weeks Park. Eddy Horn of Fort Worth and Miller were a stroke back with 70's and Jones fired a 72.

Sheppard manhandled much of the field in the second round, with the exception of Midland's Steve Cromwell, who shattered par with a 71 and climbed into a share of the lead with Horn at 143. The Fort Worth youngster scrambled his way to a 73 and Miller's 74 kept him just a stroke off the pace. Sulley wasn't as fortunate, staggering to an 83 and falling from contention.

Horn, the tournament's dark horse, seemed ready to take command in the third round as he played the front nine at Wichita Country Club in two-under-par to open a two stroke lead. But a pair of bogies on the back nine cut his lead to one stroke coming to the par four 17th. It was here that Horn lost the lead and his poise with a triple bogey 7 that enabled Miller to move ahead by a stroke. Miller's 1 -over-par 72 was one shot better than Horn and a charging Jones who had edged to within one after an even-par 71 - the best of the day.

Miller,  Jones, Horn, and Craig Minnich were paired together for the final round and when the defending champion hooked his drive into the lake near No. 1 green his opponents might have breathed a sigh of relief. But it was a premature feeling as the Oklahoman scrambled for a par despite the penalty stroke and went on to shoot a two-under-par 33 and take the lead.

The par five 16th was the same story as Miller canned a birdie putt and then watched helplessly as Jones duplicated the feat. The dam finally broke on 17 as Miller bogied to take the pressure off.

Jones' brilliant five-under-par 66 had enabled him to become the first golfer in history of the T-O Junior to defend his title.

1974
18th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Seventeen-year-old Fort Worth junior golf star Lindy Miller was already being called the state's next Ben Crenshaw. But he had something to prove at the 18th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament.

That year's tournament would be even more demanding. It would be expanded to a 90-hole competition with 18 holes at Sheppard and Wichita Falls, Country Clubs and 54 holes at Weeks Park. Texas pro Joe Black was the clinic host.

In Monday's opening round, the trio of Mike Unsell, Dallas; Bobby Heath, Stillwater; and Dan Cronquist of St. Paul, Minn. carded three-under-par 68's to share the lead and medalist honors. Ardmore's Jim Davidson was alone in second place with a 69 while Miller was three strokes off the pace with an even-par 71 at Weeks Park.

Unsell, the principle Sooner hope, took the second round lead with an even-par 71 at Weeks Park as high winds made the scores soar. His 139 total was a stroke better than Heath and Craig Parton of Houston. Midwest City's John Grier was alone at 141. Miller could do no better than 143 and trailed by four. Tied with Miller was Wichitan Gary Johnson who made the biggest move of the day with a one-under-par 70.

Thursday's round at the tight Wichita Falls Country Club would be the turning point, and it was Miller who cashed in as expected. The Texan matched par 71, the best round of the day, to move into the lead with 18 holes to play. His 289 total was a stroke better than Unsell who carded a one-over-par 72. Heath was in third place at 294.

Miller not only played good, but got a lucky break on the 18th hole that kept him in the lead. His tee shot hooked towards the out-of-bounds, but struck a golf bag and bounced back unto the fairway to save a couple of strokes. He hit a short iron on the green and two-putted for par.

No one really expected him to fold in Friday's final 18 holes at Weeks Park and they were right. Miller overcame an early charge by Unsell to win by three shots and nab the title he had wanted so badly.

1975
19th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

A Sherman, Texas golfer who went on to become one of the top PGA pros was on hand for the 19th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. That golfer was Miller Barber, the 9th millionaire in golf history, who humbly said that he was honored to be invited to the T-O Junior.

"These fellows will someday be standing in my shoes," Barber said. "You never know, we might have another Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer here with us today."

Defending champion Lindy Miller was not back and it was an Oklahoman duo of Jim Woodward of Oklahoma City and Greg Small of Midwest City who shared the first round lead with one-under-par 70's. Another Midwest City junior. John Grier, headed a group of four just a stroke back. Grier had led last year's tournament at the end of two rounds. Wichitan Todd Finkler, hoping to be the third local champion, headed a group of seven golfers at 72. Also in that group were Mike Unsell of Dallas and Bobby Heath of Stillwater. Woodward handled the brutal Sheppard course in one-over-par 73 fashion Wednesday to open up a four shot lead as his nearest challengers fell off the pace. It was Philip Vescovo of Austin who moved into second place with a 147 total. Small staggered to an 81 and Finkler, the main local hope, struggled to 84.

If Sheppard wasn't bad enough, Wichita Falls Country Club was playing tougher than ever on Thursday as Woodward could manage only 77, but still held on to a three shot lead. Only Heath could make up ground on Woodward with a fine one-over-par 72 to cut his deficit from eight to three shots.

If Woodward was at all shaken by his troubles at the Country Club, he didn't show it in Friday's final round at Weeks Park. Instead, he was the picture of consistency, firing an even-par 71 to cruise to an eight stroke win over Heath and another T-O Junior title for Oklahoma.

1976
20th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Wichita Falls juniors hoping to win a third title for the city in 20 years were given a good chance in the 20th annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. John Corbin, Bill Sullivan, and Doug Barber headed that list. Only Mike Castles in 1966 and Scott Haynie in 1971 had turned the trick successfully.

A famous older brother of a former champion was the guest professional as Jacksboro native Don Massengale came to town Monday to put on the annual clinic. At the banquet later that evening, he pointed out that young players coming out of the fine junior golf programs were now dominating the tour. But he added that the competition was rough and that young players shouldn't rush off to play the tour.

A drenching rain Tuesday night made the Sheppard course play even longer than its normal 7200 yards, but Lawrence Field fashioned a fine 72 that was "better than my 69 yesterday," and built his lead to four. Biff Johnson of Richardson also carded an even-par 72 to vault into second place.

After two fine rounds gave him only a fairly secure four-stroke advantage. Field had to be surprised when a three-over-par 74 at Wichita Falls Country Club enabled him to open up a 10-shot lead on Wednesday.

The lead was the largest since Tom Kite had carried an 11-shot bulge into the final round of the 1968 tournament and had the rest of the field muttering to themselves. "There's no way anyone can catch him - they might as well call off the final round," said Jackson, who faltered to an 80 and remained in a second-place tie. But the player he was tied with, Larry Seligmann, of Sugarland, Texas didn't share his sentiments. Seligmann might have to shoot a 65 or 66, but nothing was impossible as he proved when he played the first seven holes in Friday's round five-under par at Weeks Park. But despite that superb start, he could only gain three strokes on the front nine as Lawrence Field carded a two under par 33. Field coasted home with a 74 and a seven-shot win.

1977
21st Annual T-O Junior Tournament

History was made in more than one way in the 21st Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior golf Tournament as bad weather, women's liberation and fate would all play a role.

Defending champion Lawrence Field was back hoping to join an elite group with another T-O Junior win. There were only two two-time champions and one who had defended their title successfully since the tournament began.

Professional golfer and television commentator David Marr was the guest for the golf clinic, but the colorful personality took a back seat to 15-year-old Kim Dicks of Fort Worth.

The Texas girls made history when they became the first females to ever compete in the T-O Junior. But the spotlight was on a pair of Oklahomans, Pete Thomas of Bethany and Stanley Talbott of Snyder, who shot 69's to lead the championship flight at the end of the first round. Hugh Vaughn, from Hershey, Penn., was in third place with a 70. The second round results at Wichita Falls Country Club looked more like temperature readings than golf scores. Talbott stuggled to 78, but still shared the lead with San Angelo's Marshall Brown who shot a 76 to go with his first round.

Defending champion Lawrence Field was about to catch the leaders until he finished bogey, bogey, double-bogey on the last three holes for a 79 that kept him five shots back.

But the tough Sheppard course gave Field his chance to make up ground on the leaders and Seabrook's Mike Zarcaro fashioned a one-over-par 73 to move into second place.

However, the tournament was not decided on the golf course, but ultimately by the weather. Hard rains Friday night made Weeks Park unplayable and club pro Joe Collins decided to cancel the final round - the first time in the history of the tournament a round was canceled. That left Field as the champion for the second year in a row.

1978
22nd Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Lawrence Field wasn't back for a record third shot at winning the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf tournament, but some promising new prospects were ready to show their stuff as scores in Monday's qualifying round were as hot as the weather.

John Slaughter of Abilene and Donnie Kelly of Belton sizzled to four-under-par 67's to take the first round lead at Weeks Park and Conroe's Tom Dunn was just a stroke back at 68.

Clayton Cole, the Dallas Country Club golf professional, conducted a clinic Tuesday afternoon to interrupt the tournament action, but it was well worth it for junior golfers who had the opportunity to listen to one of the top teaching pros in the state.

The Wichita Falls Country Club gave everyone fits on Wednesday as though pin placements and Texas heat caused scores to soar. A hot putter was the difference for Kelly as he used only 11 putts on the final nine holes to save some important pars. But he still had 18 holes to play at Weeks Park and bigger leads than had been overcome on the final day. It became obvious early into the final round that if anyone was going to catch Kelly it would be Mark Brooks. The pre-tournament favorite soon passed Slaughter and set his sights on Kelly whose putter had cooled off a bit from Thursday.

Brooks overcame an out-of-bounds on No. 4 to birdie six and seven and turn the front nine in even par. Meanwhile, Kelly had more than his share of problems with a rocky 41 that cut his lead to two. Slaughter finished third, six shots behind Kelly and three behind Brooks.

1979
23rd Annual T-O Junior Tournament  

Ben Crenshaw's return was the big story in the 23rd Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. It seemed like only yesterday that Crenshaw was wrapping up the 1970 T-O Junior title with his historic 3-wood that rolled across the bridge on 18. Nearly a decade later, he was back as the guest pro in the 23rd Annual T-O Junior. The blond bomber had just come off the tour where he was runner-up the previous week in the Western Open, but now he was in Wichita Falls to delight a few hundred juniors on hand to see his clinic.

He was also on hand for the dedication of "Crenshaw's Bridge," where youngsters gathered around to hear him recount the story of his good fortune there when he won the T-O Junior nine years before. In Tuesday's first round day, an unknown from Longview, Texas by the name of Eric Joseph grabbed the lead with a two-under-par 70 at Weeks Park. Griffin was just a stroke back at 71 and seven golfers including Kelly were tied with even-par 72's.

On Wednesday, the scene shifted to the demanding Wichita Falls Country Club and the scores began to rise. First round leader Joseph slipped to a 6-over-par 74 to grab a share of the lead with a youngster from Norman, Oklahoma by the name of Richard Ryden.

Thursday's round at Sheppard AFB was a turning point as high winds and long layout turned the tournament into a two-man race. While Ryden managed a scrambling even-par 72 to remain tied for the lead, it was Briggs who turned in the day's best round - a one-under-par 71 - to tie for the lead. Griffin slipped four strokes off the pace with a 76.

Friday's final round was a two-man show with Ryden and Briggs battling head-to-head most of the way, but in the end it was Briggs who got the best of the duel. His one-under-par 71 to a two-shot win. His 72 hole total was 287 with Ryden finishing at 289. Herbert Ames took third place with a 293 total and Griffin completed play at 294 to gain fourth place.

1980
24th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

As the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament entered its fourth decade, only two Wichita Falls golfers had won the prestigious title. But a 17-year-old Wichita Falls High School student would join that elite crowd when the 24th annual tournament was history.

T-O Junior week got off to a familiar start Monday with typical 100-degree temperatures and an entertaining golf clinic from a PGA professional. Native Texan Charles Coody was the 21st professional to host the clinic and the Abilene-based pro, a millionaire on the pro golf tour, put on a two-hour show for an enthusiastic crowd.

The golf was as hot as the scorching sun on Tuesday as Stephen Barnett, a 17-year-old Fort Worth native, carded a four-under-par 67 at Weeks Park to grab the first round lead. Herb Ames of Brownsville was a stroke back at 68 and Greg Tubbs and Ronnie McDougel shared third place with a pair of 69's. Eight golfers posted 70 to stay close to the leader. The action shifted to Wichita Falls Country Club on Wednesday as the longer, more demanding course caused scores to soar. Ames carded a solid, two-under-par 69 for a 137 total and a two-stroke lead over Mike Short who reached the halfway point at 139. Wichitan Scott Meares posted his second straight round of 70 to move into third place at 140.

Barnett, the first-round leader could manage no better than a 75 and slipped into a fourth-place tie with Eric Joseph. Tubhs. who recorded a hole-in-one on the par-3 second hole found himself m a sixth-place tie with Randy Lutz at 143. The long Sheppard Air Force Base course took its toll on the field in Thursday's third round, as it has a habit of doing. Ames and Short staggered in with a pair of 79's and Meares, with a less-than-spectacular 76, suddenly vaulted into a tie for the lead with a 216 total after 54 holes. Sharing the top spot was Ames and  Carlos Espinosa, whose one-under-par 71 enabled him to make up eight strokes on the leader. Short was in fourth place with a 218 total for the three rounds and Scott Verplank, the only 15-year-old to make it into the championship flight, was in fifth place at 220. The tournament ended as a good Cinderella story should Friday at Weeks Park. Meares, trailing Espinosa by a stroke on the 16th hole, rolled in a short birdie putt. When the Hidalgo, Texas native bogied the par five, the Wichitan was in the lead for good. But the tournament wasn't won until Meares sank two pressure-packed four-foot par putts on No. 17 and No. 18. Meares' one-over-par 72 gave him a 288 total for the 72 holes - a single stroke better than Espinosa who finished at 289. Shorts took third place with a 290 total. Four golfers, Verplank, Joseph, Steven Gleboff and Mike Standly tied for fourth place at 293.

1981
25th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Lee Trevino helped usher in the 25th year of the Texas-Oklahoma Junior golf Tournament. Conducting a clinic on shotmaking and adding his own special charm, Lee alternately kept the fans awed by the former and amused by the latter.

Tuesday's first round action at Weeks Park, Scott Verplank, birdied the first four holes enroute to a six-under-par 66 to earn medalist honors in the championship flight. His closest competitor Alberto Valenzuela, a resident of Garches, France, doubled bogeyed the final hole but still managed a three-under-par 69. Scott Meares of Wichita Falls and defending champion had one of those days every golfer has and ballooned to a 78 and just made the cut of 142 golfers who comprise the championship flight.

Chalk up a victory for the Wichita Falls Country Club golf course. Wednesday it was the only real winner the golf tournament could claim during second round action of championship flight. Brad Sykes of Sugarland, Texas walked away with the biggest smile, he shot a one-over-par 72 to make up six strokes and tie Scott Verplank for the lead after 36 holes. Verplank had a 78.

The third round of championship flight moved on to the long Sheppard Air Force Base course. The tournament acquired a new co-leader along with Scott Verplank. A new name Michael Dirks of Fort Worth was at the top of the leader board along with Verplank. Dirks fired a six-under-par 66 to tie for the lead. Brad Sykes, who was tied for the lead after 36 holes, was disqualified when he missed his tee time.

Championship Flight returned to Weeks Park Friday for the final round. Verplank fired a 73 for a four-over total of 291 and took the championship flight. Valenzuela finished second at 292, however, Valenzuela called a two shot penalty against himself for hitting the wrong ball on a chip shot on number 8 green which could have cost him the championship.

1982
26th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Defending champion Scott Verplank did not return to defend his championship leaving the tournament with one of the most wide open fields in years, and wide open it was having a finish and a champion crowned like none before.

The tournament began on a great note by having Orville Moody, winner of the 1969 U.S. Open Title, conduct a clinic and play nine holes at Weeks Park. Orville, after demonstrating the basic shots and proving his skill had diminished very little, if any, entertained the crowd with a variety of trick shots.

The rains stopped and the tournament begins. After the first round at Weeks Park, three are tied for the Championship with two-under-par 69s, James Hennessy, Brain Smith, and Chris Goodspeed with four nipping at their heels one stroke back. Also after the first round in the Age 12 Championship a battle is brewing between Jeffrey Wolf and Bo Cooper that will not be decided until the final hole on Friday's last round.

The Championship flight moved over to the always difficult Wichita Falls Country Club where Hennessy fired a one-over-par 72 to retain co-leadership with Michael Dugger who had the best round of the day at WFCC and even par 71.

Thursday's round and the Sheppard Air Force Base golf course became the Bermuda Triangle as far as the leaders were concerned. When the smoke cleared Brain Hutchins, a 16-year-old native of Fort Worth, moved up from ninth position to take the tournament leadership. Hutchins fired a one-under-par 71 for a three day total of 214 for a one shot lead over Chris  Goodspeed.

Friday and the championship flight returns to Weeks Park where the rigors of battling for three and a half rounds caught up with the leaders. Daryl Walker an 18-year-old from Conroe, Texas playing his fourth and final T-O Juniors decided to declare up from Championship Consolation and go for the championship. The wind had stopped blowing and the sun was setting. You guessed it, Walker's 295 had won by one stroke over Brian Hutchins, Brian Nelson, and Brain Smith. 

Jeffrey Wolf won the 12-year-old Championship with a four round total of 302 beating Bo Cooper by one stroke.

1983
27th Annual T-O Junior Tournament  

Dudley Wysong, Jr. host for this years annual clinic gave the youngsters some good advice. He said little advice can be the best advice, and explained that listening to every Tom, Dick or Harry that comes down the pike can really mess up your game. However, the best advice at the Banquet was head for the cellar as a violent lightening storm hit the city.

The course maintenance crews were out at daybreak removing tree limbs and other debris from the course left by the violent storm from the first round. Ninety players all playing at Weeks qualified for the Championship Flight led by Marco Jones with a 67. Twenty-one players made the cut by a nose all carding a 76.

The second round played at the Wichita Falls Country Club proved to be a tough test as always for the Championship Flight. David Sheffield took the lead with a two round total 142 with five tied for second at 143.

As David Sheffield said after the Thursday round at Sheppard, "I knew this course would take its toll." And it did, after the scores were posted David had expanded his lead to four strokes over Bob Estes and Chris Gustin.

As the Championship Flight returned to Weeks for the final round it seemed that all the players within striking distance of the leader had a gleam in their eyes. Each knowing that Weeks had more birdie holes if you can only keep your tee shot in play. Chris Gustin did just that shooting a four-under-par 67 and winning the championship by four shots over Bob Estes and third round leader David Sheffield. Bob Estes won second in a playoff. By winning, Chris, from Birmingham, Alabama, became the first player to win the Championship from out of the two state region.

1984
28th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Another first for the T-O was garnered this year. A girls division was set up and two tournaments were played during the same time frame. No, actually there were three tournaments being played, because age 10 and under had their own flight that led off each morning at 7:00am at Weeks Park.

Local golf pro Mike Zinni was this years host pro. He conducted a golf clinic and was speaker at the banquet. Mike did a very good job on very short notice.

Defending champion Chris Gustin returned to defend his title and carded a 70 first round, however, Bob Estes from Abilene, Texas fired a 65 and declared that the winner will definitely shoot under par.

The Wichita Falls Country Club usually a toughie was made short and easy due to being under construction. After the second round three shared the lead at 133, Estes, Jamie Gomez, and Kirk Johnson.

In the girl's Championship Flight class 5A state medalist Buffy Klein lead with 213 total, Angie Ravioli second at 217 and five back at 218 is Adele Moore.

Final round and the Championship Flight returned to Weeks Park. After battling all day with Kirk Johnson and Bob Estes, Chris Gustin and Jamie Gomez found themselves tied at 275 after regulation 72 holes. Sudden death and Gustin wins the first hole. Gustin joins Tom Jones - Okla. 1972 and 1973 and Lawrence Field - Okla. 1976 and 1977 as back to back Champions. Buffy Klein won the girls title shooting a total 290.

1985
29th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

What happens when a laid back attitude and a near-flawless golf swing are combined? You get Grant Switzer, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed free swinger from Arlington, Texas who captured the 29th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament after firing a 2-under-par 68 Friday at La Vista Country Club.

Adele Moore won the girl's championship by 12 shots over Mia Browning. Moore had rounds of 74, 76, 74, and 72.

Switzer was tied for the lead going into Friday's final round with John Gilreath, Ryan Heller, and Brain Montgomery. After holding off charges from Gilreath, Herring and Jaime Gomez, Switzer was more than happy to claim the trophy for what was "one of the most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the nation."

Heller, who had a 70 on the day had the crowd buzzing on the long par-5 No. 17, when he hit a driver-6-iron to within eight feet of the pin, leaving him a good chance for an eagle putt and the lead - depending on what Switzer did.

Things didn't look good for Switzer. He was some 35 yards away in the hard-pan rough, facing a three-shot swing in the scoring which would leave him two behind with only one hole to play. But Switzer popped a shot to within four feet of the pin, and while Heller missed his eagle attempt Switzer calmly made his birdie, maintaining a one-stroke lead.

After Switzer pushed his tee shot on No. 18 deep into the right rough, he didn't get upset - instead he laughed at something a friend had said. And when his second shot strayed over the green, he still had a smile on his face. He then simply chipped up to about two feet, and sank the par putt that gave him the championship.

1986
30th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

With 486 contestants teeing it up in the 30th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament, how else could it be except a genuine success! We were happy to have Roland Harper, Club Professional from Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas to conduct a clinic and play an exhibition match with 4 of our young golfers: Adele Moore, Matt Smith, Mark Burger, and Zack Perez.

The field was strong with players from eight different states competing for the beautiful trophy and points toward making the Junior All American List. Grant Switzer, the defending champion had passed the age limit so the Championship Flight was filled with favorites such as Matt Smith from Austin, Texas; Brain Montgomery from Bristol, Oklahoma; Mark Burger from Andrews, Texas; Lance Boscamp from Brownwood, Texas; Bobby Gee from Midland, Texas; and our own Wichita Falls hopeful, Walter Dobbs.

The Girls Championship Flight was loaded with talent such as Adele Moore from Dallas, Texas; Kathy Moore from Argyle, Texas; Tina Trimble from Houston, Texas; Marti Longorio from Corpus Christi, Texas; Kelly Green from Kingswood, Texas; Sally McMullin from Floydada, Texas; and Dana Chase from Leawood, Kansas.

1987
31st Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The 1987 T-O Junior played host to the largest field of junior golfers ever in the 31 year history of the event with 652 contestants entered. Both boys and girls, from ten states, were entered representing 168 different cities across America and around the world.

To the delight of all the kids our guest pro was Tom Kite of Austin, Texas. He kept a large crowd at Weeks Park entertained with his precision shot making and his outstanding way of explaining his skills and technique. He played an exhibition with 4 of our young contestants, Kathy Moore from Arglye, Texas; Chris Cain from Knoxville, Tenn.; Bobby Gee from Midland, Texas; and Dee Green from Roswell, New Mexico. The scores soared a little with the Championship Flight playing the tight Wichita Falls Country Club with its trees, water and sand traps, not to mention the strong southwest wind at 25-30 miles per hour. Chad Magee from Tyler, Texas shot a 67-73-75-67 for a total of 282 to win the championship with Chris Cain form Knoxville, Tenn. coming in second with a 284. Third place was Lance Posey from El Reno, Oklahoma with 288. Fourth place went to Dee Green of Roswell, New Mexico, a member of the University of Houston Golf Team, with a 292.

In the girls division Kathy Moore from Argyle, Texas was first with 76-76-72-71 for a 296 over the same courses the boys division had played. Bronwyn Burke of Houston was second with a total score of 306. Debbie Eckroth of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was third with a good score of 308. Keigh Dickey from Missouri City, Texas was fourth with a good solid round of 309. All the young ladies had a good attitude and good personalities.

1988
32nd Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The 32nd Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament brought another year of unprecedented growth for the fourth year in a row. This tournament has been heralded as a growing success with 810 entries, a new record, with players coming from 19 different states, 199 different cities from across America.

Gary Player, our honored guest for 1988, kept his gallery awed with his precision shot making as he conducted his Golf Clinic. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, he was greeted with pride and gratitude, and accepted by the large crowd attending his pre-tournament activities. He was so friendly and preoccupied with the kids, he almost forgot how to swing. Gary Player gained many thousands of new friends that day in June with his charm and politeness. He detailed his golf swing from start to finish, as he displayed his greatness as a world class player. He is truly a legend in his own time.

Gary Player gained the love and respect of all the fathers and mothers who attended the Annual Banquet Monday evening at the Wichita Falls Hilton Hotel, with his elegant after dinner speech. His facts and compassion were absorbed by the kids and very plausibly endorsed by all the parents in attendance. His true character and attitude generated warmth and friendliness, as he signed, and signed, and signed his autograph for all those who asked. 

He amazed all those in attendance as he played several holes with pre-selected group of top Junior golfers. He walked and talked with all who asked questions. He was having the time of his life as he talked and laughed, while he demonstrated his golfing talent. Those playing in the exhibition with Gary Player were: John Sosa, El Paso, Texas; Taylor Tipton, Kerrville, Texas; Kelly Southerland, Burkburnett, Texas; and Bronwyn Burke, Houston, Texas. His caddy for the day was Dannon Reed.

After the pre-tournament activities were history, one of America's greatest Junior Golf Tournament's got underway Tuesday morning at all five of the different golf courses. The boys Championship Flight was so filled with entries it took two shotgun starts to get them around the Weeks Park Golf Course. When the afternoon group finished the pre-tournament favorite, John Sosa of El Paso, Texas, finished an amazing round of 66 for the low round of the day, 6-under-par; Bo Cooper of Denton, Texas came in with a 68; Taylor Tipton of Kerrville, Texas had a 69; Hans Hass of Fort Worth, Texas has a solid round of 69; Brandon Knight of Denton, Texas was next with a 2-under-par 70.

Our girls tournament has grown each year for the past five years with 94 young ladies entering this year's tournament. The quality of players we had was a delight to the Tournament Directors. The girl players such as Tina Trimble of Houston, Texas; Sandy Hamby of Houston, Texas; Laura Myers of Missouri City, Texas; Marti Longoria of Corpus Christi, Texas; Debbie Eckroth of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Candice Morgan of Odessa, Texas; and Jenny Turner of Austin, Texas have given the Girls Tournament a touch of class and talent that is a sure sign of becoming a quality Girls Junior Tournament. We anticipate this event will expand into a great Girls Junior Golf Tournament. We are aware the girls who played in this tournament have always had a good challenge and an exciting time while playing Championship Golf.

Sandy Hamby won the Championship with a score of 292, a tie for second place was between Laura Myers and Marti Longoria both shooting a 296 and close behind them was Tina Trimble with a 298. All the girls Championships were played at La Vista Country Club, River Creek Country Club, Sheppard Air Force Base Golf Course and Weeks Park Golf Course.

1989
33rd Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The 1989 Texas-Oklahoma Junior had a new record with 856 entries, from 19 different cities across America. The 856 entries, we are told, sets another record for being the largest Junior golf tournament in the United States. The T-O has come a long way in it's 35 years with E.C. Black and Jack Carnes. With their combined 52 years of service to the tournament, they have decided to retire from their co-chairmanship and give someone a chance to carry on this great golf tournament.

The boys tournament had a strong field and some great talent this year. The playing of the final round at the Wichita Falls Country Club was a new way of giving the players a real test of golf. Our boys champion, Cade Stone of Paris, Texas found himself in a play off with Brent Bostic of Duncan, Oklahoma with the match going four extra holes before the Champion was declared. Cade Stone's score of 72-68-78-70 totaling 288 was also matched by Brent Bostic. These were good rounds for each of the two young golfers. Brandon Knight of Denton and Allen Bratton of College Station were just one shot back at 289. Jaxon Brigman of Abilene and Matt Mocniak of Nacogdoches were just two shots back at 290. Less than 10 shots separated the top 17 players.

The girls were not to be out done. They played right behind the boys on the same track and yes, you guessed it, the Champion, Tina Trimble of Houston shot 66-76-70-76 for a new girls T-O Junior record of 288. She finished with a giant 12 shot lead over Kay Donaldson from Slidell, Louisiana, with a 300 for her total and 15 shots better than last years Champion, Sandy Hamby from Houston, who could only muster a 303 for her four rounds. Kim Self from Dallas was 4th with a total score of 304.

This was a great exhibition for all the top 16 girls. The strongest field ever for our Girls Championship. A large entry of 134 girls played in this the fifth year for our girls tournament. We are all so happy to have had such charming and delightful young ladies playing the T-O. Our hope is that we have an even larger field for next year.

We were honored and thrilled to have Jay Hebert from Houston as our guest professional for this year. His golf clinic was enjoyed by a large group of young boys and girls as well as the older gang. His message at the banquet Monday evening was straight and to the point on subjects all of us could learn from. He enjoyed himself so much with the kids that he stayed an extra day just to see some of them play. It was amazing at how many of these kids Jay knew. He has been around junior golf for many years and loves it one day at a time. He has two young sons who play the junior tournament almost every week of the summer months. Jay, we all want to thank you for your outstanding display of good golf and good sportsmanship.

1990
34th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

The 34th Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf  Tournament brought in a record 922 entries from 202 cities in 10 states. Phil Rodgers was the guest Pro, displaying his short game at a Monday afternoon clinic and exhibition match with juniors Dax Johnson of Yukon, Okla., Shelly Santos of Houston, Stoney Womack  of  Wichita Falls, and Alan Bratton of College Station.What would follow would be an excitingfinish in both the boys and girls Championship Flights.

           Two Texans - Trevor Arts of Flower Mound and Brandon Herber of Whitewright - shared the lead in the boys championship division heading into the final day, but on Friday afternoon, a young man with championship on his mind came out of the pack and won the title. Wade White of Paris, Texas, five shots behind the leaders when the final round began, fired a magnificent 5-under-par 67 on the tough Wichita Falls Country Club course to edge out David Lawrence of Houston by one shot. White finished with a 286 total for 72 holes. Lawrence wound up with 287.

           Wendy Ward of San Antonio was the girls Championship Flight leader heading into the final round. She eventually won the title, but not without a struggle. Lisa Balch of San Angelo caught and passed Ward midway through the final 18 at the country club on Friday. Balch shot a 32 on the front nine, and Ward had a 36.

So the back nine would be the battlegrounds for a championship. Ward got a par and Balch made bogey on No. 17 to give the San Antonio Roosevelt junior a one-shot lead heading to the last hole. Balch hit her second shot into the trap on No. 18 but got up and down to save par, forcing Ward to make a 2 1/2 footer to win the title. She calmly sank the winning putt to finish with a 72 and a 295 total. Balch also had 72 on the final day but was one shot back at the end with a 296.

1991
35th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

           When the 35th Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament started, everyone figured the Lawrence kid from Houston to be one of the favorites. After all, the previous year, David Lawrence had battled Wade White down to the final hole before losing by one shot. Now, the bridesmaid of 1990 had a chance to become the bride of 1991.

           And after the final shot was made on Friday afternoon, Lawrence stood in the winner's circle. Only it was a different Lawrence. John Lawrence, David's little brother, out lasted the field and won the boys championship. However, the 16-year-old Houston golfer almost blew it.

           Lawrence had an eight-shot lead heading into the final round, but had to sink a clutch bogey putt on the final hole at Wichita Falls Country Club to beat Dax Johnston of Yukon, Okla. by one shot. Lawrence had two double bogeys and one bogey on the back nine to finish with 77 the final day. Meanwhile, Johnston was picking up steam and shooting a two-under-par 70. Lawrence finished with a 288 total, Johnston had 289.

Dru Fennimore, who had won the medalist trophy with a 68 at Weeks Park on Tuesday, finished in the third. The Fort Worth golfer had a 292 total.

In the girls Championship Flight, Holly Cariker of San Antonio one-putted the first five holes in the final round and won the title by seven shots. Cariker had three-putted seven times in the first 36 holes of the tournament but only had one three-putt in the last two rounds. The 15-year-old champion shot 76 at WFCC the final day for a 300 total.

J.J. Rorie of Sulfer Springs had been tied with Cariker going into the final round but she stumbled a bit at WFCC with an 83 and finished with a 307 total. Victoria Boysen of Fort Worth was third at 308. Tracy Thomson of Dallas was the girls medalist with an opening round 70 at River Creek Golf Course but fell back and finished fifth.

1992
36th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

Brent Wolf and Kelli Kuehne both seemed to have comfortable leads heading into the final round of the 36th Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. Wolf led the boys Championship Flight by three shots. Kuehne held a huge six-shot advantage in the girls division. But both had to sweat it out the final Friday and only one survived.

           Deron Zinnecker of Round Rock wiped out Wolf's lead in the first three holes at the Wichita Falls Country Club and went on to win by three shots over the Fort Worth golfer.

Kuehne, a 15-year-old Highland Park High School student, needed almost every bit of her big lead as Victoria Boysen of Fort Worth put on a final-round charge. Boysen shot a 3-under-par 70 at WFCC but couldn't make up the difference with Kuehne, who had a 74 and won by two shots.

Justin Good of Moore, Okla. won the boys medalist honors with a four-under-par 68 at Weeks Park in the opening round and Boysen was the girls medalist with a 4-under-par 69 at River Creek. That was the last time either would lead this tournament.

           Wolf had a bogey-less round of one-under-par 71 at WFCC on Wednesday to go one shot up on Good, who dropped to 73 after scoring birdies on three of the first four holes and, at one point, leading by four strokes.

Kuehne shot a two-under-par 71 at WFCC on Wednesday to take the girls lead for good. She widened the advantage to six shots with an incredible four-under-par 68 at Sheppard Air Force Base on Thursday.

Wolf also shot under par at SAFB with a 71, but Zinnecker had a two-under-par 70 to get within three shots of his future TCU teammate. But Wolf, who had only two bogeys in his first 54 holes, bogied No. 2 and 3 at WFCC, while Zinnecker punched an 8-iron 15 yards on his second shot and was only three inches away from the cup for an easy birdie to wipe out the lead.

1993
37th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

 Down by two shots heading into the final day of the 37th Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament, Marcus Jones put on an exhibition of golf on Friday at Wichita Falls Country Club. The Graham golfer trailed Buck Giebelhaus of Round Rock by four shots after Jones bogied and Giebelhaus birdied the second hole of the final round. But Jones went on to shoot a 2-under-par 70 at WFCC to win the title by two shots. After the bogey on No. 2, Jones birdied four of the next five holes to take the lead, then drained a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 13 and made great saves on 14 and 16 to hold back the competition.

 Jones sank a 10-foot, knee-knocking par putt on 14 and then made an incredible sand save out of a wet bunker at 16, putting the ball three feet from the hole. The University of Texas signee finished the tournament with rounds of 68, 72, 77, 70 for a 287 total. Giebelhaus finished with a 75 on Friday and a 289 for the four rounds.

The girls Championship Flight was not that close. In fact, it was a runaway, as Holly Carriker of San Antonio won the title by 11 shots. Carriker, who won the T-O in 1991, figured to have a head-to-head battle with Kelli Kuehne of Dallas, the 1992 champion. But Kuehne slumped to an 80 in the opening round and finished 13 shots behind Carriker. Carriker, who led by eight shots going into the final round, shot 75, 73, 70 and 75 for a 293 total. The closest competition came from Ji-Yun Lee of Seguin at 304.

1994
38th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

          Edward Loar held the lead from start to finish at the 38th Annual Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament, but things got kind of scary for the Rockwall, Texas teenager on the back nine of the final round. Loar, who held a two-shot lead going into the final round, found himself tied with Ryan Palmer of Amarillo at the 13th tee box. Then, after Ty Cox of Amarillo eagled 15 and birdied 16, it was Cox and Loar tied for the lead with two holes to play.

Then Loar made the shot of the tournament. His 25-foot uphill chip-in fir the birdie on the par-3 17th hole at Weeks Park was the tournament winner. Loar, who just missed the River Creek Golf Course record of 63 by one shot when he opened the tournament with a 64 in Burkburnett, finished with a 279 total, one shot better than Cox and two better than Palmer. Loar's four rounds were 64 at River Creek, 67 at Weeks Park, 76 at Sheppard Air Force Base and 72 at Weeks Park.

 Kellie Kuehne of Dallas had little trouble winning her second girls Championship Flight title at the T-O. Kuehne, who also won the championship in 1992, was three shots back after an opening round 76 at SAFB. Jennifer Hubbard of Plano, Donna Boom of Minnesota and Brooke Lowrence of Snyder were in a three-way tie for the first round lead after all shot 73 at Sheppard.

But after that, the tournament belonged to Kuehne, who forged into a tie with Boom after a 69 at Weeks Park on Wednesday, went up by two after 71 at Weeks Park on Thursday and then won by 11 after shooting 70 at Weeks Park in the final round. Boom and Hubbard tied for second place.

1995
39th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

When the final round of the 39th Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament started, Les Phillips wasn't even in the picture. He and seven other golfers were tied for the 9th through 16th spots in the field - seven shots behind the three co-leaders. But when the day and the tournament ended, Phillips wasn't only in the picture, he was the picture.

 The 17-year-old kid from Borger shot one of the most incredible rounds ever seen in this tournament. In fact, it may just be the most incredible. It was certainly better than any other T-O golfer has ever managed on the Wichita Falls Country Club course.

 While all eyes were on John Wagner of Austin, Ty Cox of Amarillo and Ryan Tull of Georgetown - the three co-leaders after three rounds - Phillips just went about his business with only a few family members looking on. He had seven birdies and one eagle in posting an 8-under-par 64 on the final day of the tournament to beat Wagner, the runner-up, by two strokes. "My mindset was to play heads up against Ty. I wasn't expecting anybody to shoot 64." Wagner said. Phillips had rounds of 73, 71 and 74 to go with that 64 for a 282 total. Wagner, who had a 73 in the final round, finished with 284. Cox was one shot back at 285.

Reilly Rankin of Hilton Head, S.C. became the first non-Texan in 12 years to win the girl's Championship Flight. Rankin took a one-shot lead over Kim Rotwon of San Antonio into the final round. She shot 74 at WFCC. Rowton had a 77. The 16-year-old from South Carolina finished with a 288 total. Rowton finished at 292.

1996
40th Annual T-O Junior Tournament

  The drought is over for Oklahoma golfers in the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. Kelsey Cline of Yukon turned a final round par 72 at Wichita Falls Country Club into a three-stroke victory in the 40th annual, becoming the first Sooner golfer in 19 years to win a T-O title. The 18-year-old right-hander, who also shot par at WFCC during his first round, finished with a four day total of 285. Lawrence Field was the last Oklahoma golfer to take the Championship Flight trophy back across the Red River when he captured titles in 1976 and 1977.

   Craig McAlpine of Fort Worth, who led the T-O after two rounds, finished with a 73 to take second place with a 288 total. Spike Seals of Lawton shot his third consecutive 72 to share third place with Neil Collins of Pflugerville at 289. Three golfers - including 1995 runner-up John Wagner of Austin tied for fifth with a four round score of 290. Matt Pitts of Wichita Falls tied for eighth with a final round of 75 and a 291 total.

   The Girls Championship Flight was pretty well decided before the final round as defending champion Reilley Rankin of Hilton Head opened a nine stroke advantage. Although shooting a two-over-par 74, Rankin still won by 10 strokes to become the first back-to-back champion since 1987 and the fourth repeat winner.

 Angela Standford of Saginaw and Stacey Prammanasudh of Enid shared second place at 294. Standford, the first round co-leader with Rankin, finished with a 74 while Prammanasudh shot a 75. Dani Mallon of Trophy Club was next at 76-296 followed by Laura Blessey of Mandeville, La. at 76-297. Katy Wilkinson of Southbend, Ind. and Ashlei Pendleton of Henderson, Nev. were next at 77-298.

1997
41st Annual T-O Junior Tournament

  The 41st Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament came down to Texas vs. Oklahoma. Representing the south side of the Red River was Franklin Hatchett, an 18-year-old from Jacksonville. Car