Spina bests field in Precision Pro Elite Tour event at Hershey

   J.T. Spina of Schwenksville made his strong start in the opening round hold up as he claimed a three-shot victory in a Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour Precision Pro Elite Tour event at Hershey Country Club Thursday.

   Conditions were tougher over the 6,439-yard, par-71 East Course at Hershey Country Club, but Spina posted a 5-over 76 to go with his sparkling 4-under 67 in Wednesday’s opening round for a 1-over 143 total. After making six birdies in the opening round, Spina settled for a lone birdie on the second hole in the second round on his way to the victory in the 13-to-18 division.

   Zachary Fails of Hummelstown fired a second straight 73 to finish second at 4-over 146. Richard Kline III of Kennett Square had a 75 to take third at 147. Alex Golland of Wynnewood had the day’s best round, a 1-over 72, to move up to fourth in the final standings at 149.

   Brent Schoeller of Jenkintown and Andrew Forjan of York finished in a tie for fifth at 150. Schoeller had a second-round 76 while Forjan carded an 80 after opening with a 1-under 70.

   Three players – William Mitchell of Moorestown, N.J., Andrew Simpson of Perkasie and Akhil Giri of Moorestown, N.J. – finished in a tie for seventh at 151. Mitchell posted a second-round 75, Simpson had a 76 and Giri, who has been playing well all season, had a 76.

   Rounding out the top 10 were three players who shared 10^th place at 152. Jacob Macinanti of Lancaster carded a second-round 74 and T.Y. Brinker of Wilmington, Del. and Michael Robinson of Gettysburg each posted a second straight 76.

   Kara Kniezewski of Blue Bell was the lone entrant in the girls 13-to-18 division and thus was the winner at 164 with rounds of 78 and 86.

   Matt Smith of Yorklyn, Del. won the men’s 17-to-24 division as he fired a 1-over 72 to finish at 8-over 150. Phillip Held of Lafayette Hill had an 80 and finished second at 159.

   Emily Gilbert of Gilbertsville built on her narrow one-shot edge following the opening round with an 88 that gave her a 166 total and a four-shot victory in the women’s 17-to-24 division.

   Megan Kimmel of Ephrata posted a 91 to finish second at 170. Lacey Brensing of Ephrata, who carded a 91, and Emily McGarrigle of Wernersville, who had a 90, shared third place at 172.

   Precision Pro also awarded a rangefinder to Mason Wills of Lititz for being closest to the pin at the par-3 13^th hole. Wills’ tee shot finished three feet, seven inches from the hole.