Kreutzjans' new putting grip keys Jr. Am win

By Marc Hardin, Post contributor

Ross Kreutzjans is getting a grip on things. A new grip. And his hold is beginning to extend from his golf clubs to Kentucky's Junior Amateur golf participants.

Kreutzjans fired an even-par 70 for the second straight day on Tuesday to win the Northern Kentucky Junior Amateur tournament at Hickory Sticks Golf Course.

Kreutzjans competes in the ages 15-16 division, but he shot a lower score than any golfer in the boys' ages 17-18 group both days of the tournament.

Kreutzjans' score of 140 beat ages 17-18 group winner Brook Reeves by four strokes in the overall standings. Reeves followed his opening round of 73 with a 71 Tuesday to finish at 4- over-par 144.

It's the second straight tournament win for Kreutzjans since he converted from an interlocking putting grip to a cross-handed grip two weeks ago. He won a Pepsi Junior Golf Tour event in Lexington last Monday, his first tournament using the new grip.

The 16-year-old Kreutzjans finished fourth in the ages 15-16 group in last year's rain-shortened NKJA with an 81 at Fort Mitchell Country Club.

''Ever since I started using the new grip, I've been shooting lights out, and my confidence is soaring'' said Kreutzjans, who just completed his sophomore year Covington Catholic High School. ''Putting is what usually killed me.''

Kreutzjans fired two birdies and made par on 12 holes Tuesday. His birdies came back-to- back on No. 9 and No. 10. His second shot on No. 9 with a sand wedge from 130 yards out dropped into the cup, but bounced out within three inches of the hole where he tapped it in.

Kreutzjans' drive on No. 10 cozied up to the green. He chipped up and then curled in a 15-foot putt.

''The new grip helps me stay on my target line more,'' Kreutzjans said. ''On both birdies, I could just see it going in before I putted it. I just can't believe I'm playing so well, and beating older guys. I should keep improving because I'm just now getting comfortable with a new grip on my driver.''

Reeves, 17 and a multi-sport athlete at Beechwood, said he was surprised his 144 wasn't good enough to win.

''It's my first tournament in over a year and I've only been playing every day for a month now, so I'm pretty happy,'' said Reeves, who played football at Beechwood this past fall instead of golf, and also plays basketball and baseball.

''I just wanted to see what it would be like to play football at Beechwood for a season, but I'm going back to golf now,'' Reeves said. ''I'm glad I've still got my game together.''

Reeves eagled No. 3 Tuesday and carded four birdies and five pars. His double-bogey on No. 10, however, proved his undoing.

The other boys' age-group winners were Alex Rechtin in 13-14 with a 154, Alex Volpenhein in 11-12 with a 164 and Ross Sharp in 10-and-under with a 96 (18 holes).

The girls' winners were Meghan McGee in the ages 15-18 group with a 174, and Emily Culbertson in 10-14 with a 175.

Northern Kentucky Junior Amateur results

FINAL SCORES

(at Hickory Sticks

BOYS' 17-18 AGE GROUP

Brook Reeves 73-71-144

Jim Warken 75-77-152

D. Montgomery 78-81-159

Patrick Dammert 81-85-166

Mark Groger 85-73-168

Andy Wallenhorst 85-87-172

Matt Heister 84-89-173

Matt Lonneman 88-87-175

John Chambers 77-70-177

Eric Hoffer 93-84-177

Robbie Gordon 100-96-196

Kevin Bachmann WD

BOYS' 15-16 AGE GROUP

Ross Kreutzjans 70-70-140

Kyle Jones 73-74-147

Justin Jolly 74-79-153

Brian Lewin 82-76-158

Jason Tate 83-76-159

Michael Kessling 79-81-160

Bret Wilcox 80-80-160

Matt Lewin 80-81-161

Michael Sharp 82-81-163

Jonah Worstell 81-86-167

Brad Cox 86-83-169

Brian Gooch 87-83-170

Matt Brungs 93-94-187

Brian Roeding 121-85-206

BOYS' 13-14 AGE GROUP

Andrew Stephens 79-76-155

Alex Rechtin 80-74-154

Andrew Spencer 81-77-156

Jonathan Sutton 84-87-171

Kyle Landrum 87-84-171

Corey Gamm 93-80-173

Scott Buckhout 89-84-173

Craig Kathman 92-88-180

Richard Bean 93-88-181

Sam Witte 93-100-193

BOYS' 11-12 AGE GROUP

Alex Volpenhein 83-81-164

Clinton Kohls 86-84-170

Joe Landrum 95-92-184

Keaton Belcher 100-102-202

Ryan Faulhaber 104-105-209

Mark Krebs 106-109-215

BOYS' 10-UNDER

AGE GROUP

(9 HOLES)

Ross Sharp 46-40-86

Jeremy Martin 44-46-90

Scott Kuetz 50-46-96

Spencer Nunnelley 63-6-129

GIRLS' 10-14 AGE GROUP

Emily Culbertson 84-91-175

Jenny Blake 106-109-215

Nadine Kunkel 130-112-242

GIRLS' 15-18 AGE GROUP

Meghan McGee 86-88-174

Molly Martin 100-91-191

Erica Heiny 100-102-202

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