AUGUSTA -- Boles Middleton and his family enjoy coming back to Augusta.
If he has his way, it won’t be the last time competitively.
Middleton, who has Augusta ties, claimed the Boys 12-13 division as one of eight winners at the Drive, Chip and Putt subregional at Augusta Country Club on Saturday. A total of 16 will advance from the competition to regionals Sept. 16 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
The Albany, Ga., native’s parents and other family members are from Augusta. It proved to be a successful trip home for the family, and they’re hoping for a return trip next year when the National Finals will be held April 1 at Augusta National Golf Club.
“I want to make it to Augusta,” Middleton said with a smile.
Middleton came up short the past three years at the subregional before getting over the hump in his fourth try. He said his chipping is what makes his score, and he was satisfied with how he fared around the green and on his drives.
Victoriah Kuranga, the Girls 12-13 winner, had similar success on drives and chipping, but her high putting score carried her to victory. The Decatur, Ga., native, who’s been playing since she was 4 years old, said she was nervous on the tee, but she thanked her family for being there and supporting her.
“It feels great,” Kuranga said. “I was kind of nervous on the first drive. I’m hoping to thrive in the future and succeed. I would like to thank my family for helping me.”
Her father, Noah Kuranga, was most satisfied by her daughter’s smile that stayed on her face throughout the day.
“The thing I told her yesterday, if you smile, no matter if you win or lose, you’re already a winner in my book,” Noah Kuranga said. “I knew she was going to win, because she had a smile on her face. I’m hoping she keeps smiling and stays happy, stays positive. I’m not so much happy with winning as I am with her smiling and being happy.”
Brantley Baker earned the top point total of the day at 152 to win the Boys 14-15 division. Josie Arant won the Girls 14-15 division with 150 points.
Drive, Chip and Putt Subregional Qualifiers
Subregional at Augusta Country Club
Girls 7-9
Karsyn Herron 96
Kendall Black 69
Boys 7-9
Khang Phan 113
William Kilborn 98
Girls 10-11
Reagan Henderson 121
Hailey Han 100
Boys 10-11
Triston Whitley 132
Joseph Canitano 122
Girls 12-13
Victoriah Kuranga 133
Haven Ward 113
Boys 12-13
Boles Middleton 144
Riley Ruby 135
Girls 14-15
Josie Arant 150
Madeleine Krueger 123
Boys 14-15
Brantley Baker 152
Jensen Rainey 127
