Petty wins Future Masters title
Most 12 year olds get a juice box and some crackers when they finish a golf tournament. Davis Petty is far from most 12 year olds. The Spartanburg golfing phenom added to his list of accomplishments with a win at The Future Masters Invitational in Dothan, Alabama. He may have enjoyed a drink box after his win, but he also got a trophy almost as big as he is, When Petty won some events in recent years an explanation of the event, the quality of the field and the importance of the win often accompanied the result. When Petty won the 11-12 year old division at The Future Masters no explanation was needed. “Some of my other wins have been big, but this tournament has had so many great players as winners before, I’m pretty happy to win and it is my best win, so far,” said Petty.
Spartanburg’s Davis Petty warned his biggest win with the 11-12 ywr ikd division winner at the Future Masgters. (GolfClub File Photo) In the 74 year history of the event some of the biggest names in golf played in the tournament when they were little. Current PGA Tour star Scottie Schefler was the 10-and under champion in 2006. Masters champ Larry Mize, US Open champions Hubert Green and Jerry Pate are just a few of the young golfers who played in the event. When you look at the age group winners a host of names of South Carolina Juniors jumps off the page at you.
In 2016 future NCAA Champion Clemson’s Turk Pettit won his age group. DJ Trahan and Lucas Glover also won before playing at Clemson. USC golf coach Bill McDonald won his age group in 1982 and Georgia All-American Trent Phillips, from Inman, notched a win in 2010. Petty led from wire to wire to secure what may very well be the best victory the young golfer has accomplished. This was Petty’s second trip to Dothan for the playing of the Future Masters. Last year he posted a rare out of the top10 finish with his tie for 14th. “I’ve had this one marked for this year. I wanted another chance to win after the way I finished last year,” he said.
Petty didn’t wait for the competition to even enter the starting gate. He rocketed out to a fast start with three straight birdies and an impressive 31 on his first nine holes. “I played pretty well and had a clean card when I finished,” said Petty who shot a 6-under par 66 to take the first round lead. The second round was plagued by rain and a few delays of play, but the tournament leader kept his concentration and kept the lead with a 1-under par 71. In the final round Petty added to his lead and won the age group title by 6-shots. Some of the players Petty topped were familiar competitors who play junior golf at the highest level like the Spartanburg junior. The prestige of the tournament brought in golfers from all over and probably created some new rivalry.
Any golfer who can accumulate as many trophies as Petty has must have a good sense of who he is and where he stands in the game. Just like his ,mannerism on the course, Petty’s answerer to how good he is sounds like that of a Masters champion not one in the future. “I think I’m playing the game at a high level. I’m consistent. I don’t shoot an 85 and then 65. I expect to win when I play and I know I am one of the top players in the world at my age,” he said after proving it again with his Future Masters win. While some talented young players can pick events they can play and win to build a resume playing in the Future Masters is by invitation and Petty will play in another invitational later this summer at Torrey Pines in California. The Spartanburg golfer needs another birthday before he is old enough to play in regular SCJGA events.
“Ive liked playing in the events I have, but I like to play more than just 9-holes at a time. Next year I can play full tournaments and I want to play in state tournaments and I’m looking forward to playing,” he said. Dawson Szabo from Greer was making his first trip to the Future Masters Invitational. Szabo made his trip to the tournament a success with his finish in the top-10. Szabo played high school golf for Blue Ridge and finished on top of the Upper State AAA qualifying event. At the Future Masters Szabo finished with an even par total of 216 and a tie for 9th place in the field of 13-14 year olds.
Read the full article at: https://scgolfclub.com/2023/06/23/petty-wins-future-masters-title/