BUCKINGHAM >> Matt Wotherspoon will be looking to win an unprecedented third straight Lake County Junior Championship overall boys’ title on Aug. 4 when the 22nd annual edition of the tournament visits Adams Springs Golf Course on Cobb Mountain.
No other boy in the history of the tournament has won the overall championship three years running although former Middletown High School star Doug Quinones did claim the title three times (2004, 2006-07).
Wotherspoon, an incoming sophomore at Kelseyville High School who was named to the All-Coastal Mountain Conference team in the spring, won both junior events on the Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit calendar last August, beginning with the Buckingham Summer Junior at Buckingham Golf and Country Club followed by the Lake County Junior at Adams Springs. This year’s Buckingham Summer Junior, which takes place Aug. 3 at Buckingham Golf and Country Club, is also accpeting sign-ups at this time and those interested in participating can call the Buckingham pro shop at 279-4863.
Entry fee for the Lake County Junior, which is sponsored by the Clearlake Callayomi Masonic Lodge, the Hoberg family, Eddie and Linda Mullins, Jack and Sharon Lucich, John and Julie Berry, and the Buckingham Men’s Golf Club, is only $15. It includes golf, lunch, tee prizes and awards.
The event is open to boys and girls ages 10-17. Age is based on the date of the tournament. There are boys’ and girls’ flights for ages 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17 as well as awards for overall boys’ and girls’ champions.
Entry and payment must be received by no later than Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. Golfers can call Adam Springs at 928-9992 after 10 a.m. on Aug. 3 for their tee times. Tournament tee times begin at 8 a.m. and run through 10 a.m. Older golfers will be play 18 holes while the 10-11 flights play nine holes. Checks should be made payable to Lake County Junior Golf and mailed to John Berry, 2844 Buckingham Drive, Kelseyville, CA, 95451.
The Lake County Junior will crown a new overall girls’ champion this year as four-time-defending winner Sophie Sells, who is 18, is no longer eligible to compete. The record for the most consecutive girls’ overall championships belongs to former Middletown High great Lisa Copeland with six in a row (2004-09).
Consistent with NorCal junior tournaments, the Lake County Junior will not allow caddies. Spectators and fans must remain 30 feet away from all contestants. Spectator advice is prohibited and will result in penalty or disqualification under the rules of golf. Contestants can carry their bag or use a pull car. Motorized carts are prohibited.
