Scott Hailes

This year's Junior Amateur was the first USGA championship played in North Dakota, which became a state barely six years before the founding of the USGA in late 1894. An appreciative crowd of about 500 spectators turned out for the final match at Fargo Country Club to watch Scott Hailes of West Bountiful, Utah, defeat James Driscoll of Chestnut Hill, Mass. by a 1-up margin.

Fargo proved a most accomodating and worthy site for the Junior. Billboards throughout the community announced the event, local media provided blanket coverage, and residents exhibited a heartfelt welcome to all competitors and officials.

Hailes enjoyed a long, tiring, but satisfying 24 hours during the event's final day. First, his friend and fellow Utahan, Boyd Summerhays, whose father Lynn, serves on the Junior Committee, caddied for him. Hailes had edged out Summerhays earlier in the third round in 19 holes.

Second, Hailes enjoyed a steady semifinal round when he beat Josh McCoy of Perryton, Texas, in the morning. But ultimately, Hailes struggled against Driscoll in the final match. He twice held 1-up leads only until the next green, and he actually stood two holes down with only six left. But Driscoll reached only one green in regulation over the final six holes, bogeying the 15th, 16th, and 18th holes to lose the match and provide Hailes with his first USGA championship.