The Wilderness Challenge was played May 16-17 2009 at The Wilderness Golf Course in Lake Jackson, Texas. Close to 70 players from Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina teed it up in the Golfweek-ranked event. The Boys 16-18 played 6,783 yards; the Boys 12-15 played 6,303 yards; and all Girls 12-18 5,740 yards.
For the most part this was perfect golf weather with 80-90 degree temperatures for most of the tournament. The sudden death playoff in the boys 12-15 division saw a steady heavy rain and Coach Stone drew the short stick, officiating the playoff as the only coach who had rain gear on site.
You may not find a more secluded, yet accessible golf course in all of Texas. Just an hour or so from downtown Houston, The Wilderness sits in an environmentally protected area in Lake Jackson. What you see of the golf course today will remain that way forever. No homes will ever be built on or near the property due to the environmental regulations in place. Courses without homes as the backdrop are definitely rare. If you ever get the chance to play this awesome golf course, take the time to look around and enjoy your surroundings.
The Abe sisters had two chances to defend their home turf at The Wilderness Challenge. 2014 grad Lakareber Abe handled some tough pin locations on the second day to pull away from the girls field. Her second round 68 was strong enough to help her take the overall girls title by 8 strokes.
Jessica Tamen couldn’t keep the hot putter alive on the second day, but was still good enough to take the girls 16-18 title.
Ryan Roseberry of Katy (Mayde Creek) carded two great scores of 71-72 on his way to a 5 shot victory over Jack Swanson of Houston who has finished 2nd in a Houston event for the 2nd time this year.
The boys 12-15 saw 9 players shoot between 71 and 74 on day 1. Day 2 saw a few nerves kicking in as the pressure mounted. Cameron Blizzard held off the rest of his competitors with a 2nd round 74 to win by a single stroke. Andrew Ertel and Alex Smith were left to battle it out in a playoff for 2nd place in a steady rain with Ertel winning on the 1st hole with a nice par.
Here’s how the top finishers ended up"
Boys 12-15 1st Cameron Blizzard Houston 2012 72-74=146
2nd Andrew Ertel Woodlands 2012 73-74=147
3rd Alex Smith Bellaire 2013 71-76=147
Boys 16-18 1st Ryan Roseberry Katy 2011 71-72=143
2nd Jack Swanson Houston 2010 75-72=147
3rd Jonathan Singleton Cypress 2011 77-73=150
Girls 12-15 1st Lakareber Abe Angleton 2014 74-68=142
2nd Mackenzie Boydston Keller 2012 79-83=162
3rd Michelle Chen Plano 2011 85-79=164
Girls 16-18 1st Jessica Tamen Edinberg 2012 71-79=150
2nd Katelyn McDougal Richmond 2010 81-71=152
3rd Alexandra Anderson Charlotte, NC 2010 74-78=152
Thanks again to all of the players, parents, and coaches that make the TJGT the place to play when it comes to competitive junior golf. Remember, the road to college golf starts here.
