ATHENS — Spencer Ralston is headed back to the United States Junior Golf Championship tournament.
The rising Gainesville High senior qualified for his third straight US Junior by firing rounds of 74 and 65 to finish tied for second at 3-under 139 at the University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens on Monday.
Ralston scorched the back nine in his second round, going 6-under by dropping one eagle and five birdie putts against just one bogey. He was even through the front nine. The strong finish helped clinch a return trip to the US Junior, sealing one of the four automatic qualification spots as he finished just two shots behind first place finisher Will Chandler.
The 68th annual U.S. Junior Amateur Championship will be held at Colleton River Plantation Club in Bluffton, S.C., July 20-25. Entries were open to amateur golfers who had not reached their 18th birthday on or before July 20, 2015, and who have a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 6.4. The U.S. Junior Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association.
Buford's S.M. Lee just missed out on qualification, finishing tied for seventh at an even-par 142.
