The second — and final — round of the Tarheel Youth Golf Association’s Tournament of Champions at Mill Creek Golf Club in Mebane featured a better day for Sampson County’s Colton Danks.
The 13 year old was the only golfer from Sampson County to qualify for the tournament of champions, winning four times on the TYGA Circuit this year.
Danks shot an 83 in the first day of the event, but was upbeat and optimistic, knowing he still had a day to play. Although he didn’t reel in win number five on the year, he did play better, shooting a four over par 76, and finishing 8th in the event.
“It was a much better day today,” he said. “I feel like I really hit it a lot better, I was more relaxed, and just went out there and played golf. If I would have been able to hole some more putts, this could have been a really special round. I hit a lot of good putts that just didn’t fall, and I was giving myself a lot of good looks at birdie today. From the time I was on the range this morning, or really, from the time I got up, I knew that I was going to play better today. I’m sure that outlook had a lot to do with it as well.”
Danks was revisited by a double bogey in round two, but thankfully, it was just one. He was able to bounce back nicely, and made two birdies on the round. Throughout the day, he was hitting the driver more consistent, and solid iron shots. Many of his putts seemed to once again burn the edges.
“This was a good experience, being able to play here at Mill Creek, which is such a great golf course, with other players who have won on this same tour throughout the year,” said Danks. “This is good for me to get an early feel of tournament before playing in high school in a couple of years. I know I can play better, and that’s the good thing. I know there’s room for improvement, and I know what I need to work on.”
The event is likely the last TYGA event of the season for Danks, but it was a good season. He racked up four wins, two top fives, and a top ten in seven starts.