Stephen Betz Wins 99th Bob Riley Junior Open
Stephen Betz
Stephen Betz – Frederick, Md – won the overall low medalist score in the 99th Bob Riley Junior Open today at the Belle Haven CC with a come from behind effort to catch and then pass the leaders. In 2021 he won the Frank Emmert Schoolboy in similar fashion posting a two under par final round to pass the leaders and win by one shot. This year it was a 3 under 69 after a 3 over 75 that put him at even par for the two days and a 1 shot win over Ben Chamberlain – Germantown, MD – (1st in the 16-18 age division) who went 75-70–145, almost matching Betz’s second round 69. Peter Barros – Bethesda, MD – who led after day one with a 71 (-1), posted a 76 and ended up tied with Patrick Pritsios – Alexandria, VA – and Vaughn McMeans – Leesburg, VA – at 147 . Jack Stamato – Severna Park, MD – went 72-72–146 for solo third (2nd in the 16-18 age division). In 2021 Jack nearly won the overall. That effort was thwarted when Dylan Allen – Marseille, France – shot a 65 in the final to win by two.
Full field results ⇒ HERE
Betz, an honors graduate from DeMatha Catholic HS this past spring is headed off to Penn State in State College, PA this fall where he will study business and continue to work on his game with the hope of joining the Nittany Lion’s golf team. 2022 has been a bit of roller coaster on the golf course for him. He started too slow out of the gate at the Schoolboy, which is played over his home track at Worthington Manor GC in Urbana. Despite that slow start he still managed to finish fourth. He has a knack for coming from behind and has proven it twice in winning the Schoolboy and Bob Riley from back in the pack. In addition to golf, Betz plays hockey and baseball (a pitcher) and played the Riley with a strained right knee.
Belle Haven CC was played at 6,615 yards and par of 72 for with a ton of tucked hole locations. The 14-15 and 16-18 age divisions play from the same tees while the 13 and Under players are at 6,105 yards. With temps both days in the mid to upper 90’s the battle was with the weather as much as with the golf course. The weather took its toll on some of the players, with more then a few rounds sputtering late on the back nine.
The 14-15 age division came down to the wire with Jack Borg – Bethesda, MD – going 77-77–154. Nathan Eldridge – Owings Mills, MD – stumbled out of the gate in round 2 with a 42 on his front. A closing 35 to Borg’s closing 40 made it a dead heat until the finish.
In the 13 and Under age division Owen Love – Alexandria, VA – went 73-79–152 to win by two over John Carlin – Ashburn, VA – 77-77-154. Love’s opening 73 was a strong hedge and he needed every bit of it as his round two 79 nearly let Carlin back into the game.
The Belle Haven CC golf course was in super shape and will be the site of the 2022 Williamson Cup in early August – more on that event later.
16 – 18 prize winners
13 Under prize winners
