Karmazin Leads in Repeat Bid, Benge Charges into Lead at Junior Amateur
Round Two Conducted Tuesday at Awarii Dunes Golf Club
AXTELL (June 11, 2024) - Omaha's Julia Karmazin took command of the 24th Nebraska Girls' Amateur Championship and Omaha's Jackson Benge charged into the lead at the 57th Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship after the second round at Awarii Dunes Golf Club in Axtell on Tuesday.
Karmazin, the Defending Champion, began the day tied for the lead with three others, but distanced herself with a 72 (E) to take a six-stroke lead at 145 (+1). Benge entered the round four strokes back, but caught fire with a bogey-free 66 (-6) to jump into the lead by a stroke at 138 (-6).
It was an ideal day at Awarii Dunes, with little wind, and the field took advantage, especially Karmazin. With big numbers looming around every corner, Karmazin avoided trouble, and made three birdies. Her last birdie came on No. 9, her finishing holes, where she rolled in a putt to get back to 1-over.
Benge jumped out to a hot start, making birdies on two of his first three holes. He made the turn in 32 (-4) and was already threatening the lead. The 2022 Nebraska Junior Match Play Champion added two birdies on the back nine to close out his 66 (-6), which is tied for the lowest round of this championship so far. He's within striking distance of the championship scoring record, held by Laurel's Mitchell Klooz (2012) and Omaha's Alex Schaake (2016), who both won with a 207 (-9) total.
A couple players made a run at Benge, including the Defending Champion Beau Petersen of Gretna. Playing just behind Benge, Petersen closed with a birdie put together a round of 67 (-5) to get into the final grouping, and is third at 140 (-4).
In the afternoon, another past champion put together a run. Omaha's Trevor Gutschewski, the 2022 Champion, battled back from a tough start to shoot 69 (-3) and move into second, one stroke back at 139 (-5). Gutschewski made a double-bogey on the par-5 first hole, but bounced back quickly with two birdies and an eagle to turn in 34 (-2). He overcame another double-bogey on No. 14 with three back nine birdies to get within a stroke of Benge at 5-under.
Berwyn's Camryn Johnson is six strokes back in second at 151 (+7). She posted a round of 78 (+6) to get keep herself in contention. A host of players are tied for third, nine strokes back at 154 (+10), including Lincoln's Elly Honnens, who was tied for the first round lead, Brooke Thiele of Wahoo, KayLynn Jorgensen of Minden and Eden Larson of Lincoln.
Another three players are tied for seventh at 155 (+11), including another first round leader, Isabella Elgert of Lincoln. She's joined by Lincoln's Naryn Kim, the 2023 Nebraska Girls' Match Play Champion, and Fremont's Ansley Giesselmann. Giesselmann posted the only round under-par on the girls' side so far, a 71 (-1). It's tied for the second-lowest round in Nebraska Girls' Amateur Championship history. Lincoln's Olivia Lovegrove rounds out the top 10 at 156 (+12).
Omaha's Sam Vocelka matched Benge's round of the day with a 66 (-6) of his own to get into a tie for fourth at 142 (-2). He's tied with the first round leader, Maguire Stanton of Lincoln. Stanton was tied for the lead after making the turn from the back nine, his first nine, in 34 (-2). However, he made a 10 on the par-4 first hole and a double-bogey on No. 5 to drop back. Stanton finished strong though, making birdies on three of his final four holes to get back in red figures.
Drake Hull of Fremont is sixth at 143 (-1), while Kingston Solomon of Omaha is seventh at 144 (E). Lincoln's Miles Elgert posted a round of 68 (-4) and is tied for eighth with Fremont's Jackson Luebbe. Jaxson Hinze of Waco and Jacob Cosimano of Omaha round out the top 10 at 146 (+2), tied for 10th.
The cut was made following the round, with 17 girls advancing to the Final Round at 172 (+28) or better. Exactly 36 boys made the cut at 156 (+12) or better. Final Round pairings and full results are available at the championship websites below.
Nebraska Girls' Amateur Championship
Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship
About NebGolf
The Nebraska Golf Association (NebGolf), founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by NebGolf. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
