Romanov handles the wind at Mays Landing to take Junior Tour victory

   Nikita Romanov of Wilmington, Del. battled brisk winds at the Jersey Shore as he carded a 79 to win the 16-to-18 division in a Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour stop at Mays Landing Golf & Country Club Sunday. The Graham Company is the title sponsor of the Junior Tour.

   Romanov had three birdies on the 6,178-yard, par-71 Mays Landing layout, including back-to-back birdies on the back nine. Alec Ryden of Moorestown, N.J. was the runnerup as he was just a shot back of Romanov with an 80.

   John Malozzi of Horsham finished third with an 86, Jason Podgorski of Flemington, N.J. was fourth with a 92, Joe Polidoro of Glassboro, N.J. was fifth with a 94 and David Doyle of Haddonfield, N.J. was sixth with a 97.

   Eli Levi of Philadelphia was the only entrant in the 13-to-15 age group and won the title with a 97. Levi finished his round with a par on the par-3 third hole. It was a 1 p.m. shotgun start for the Junior Tour competitors.

   Elizabeth Beek of Blue Bell continued he recent string of solid play, capturing the girls' 13-to-15 division with an 81. Eden Richmond of Princeton, N.J. was the runnerup with an 89 and Olivia Strigh of Hammonton, N.J. finished third with a 94.

   Kristof Kopecky of Garnet Valley bested the field of nine-holers with a 9-over 45. Kopecky has won six times on the Junior Tour this year, making him a contender for The Graham Company Player of the Year honors.

   Marlin Toney Jr. of Vineland, N.J. was the runnerup with a 48. Henry Stone of Kennett Square and Ryan Garvey of Media shared third place, each posting a 50, Luca Gherardi of Hammonton, N.J. was fifth with a 55 and another Hammonton, N.J. resident, Samuel Mento, finished sixth with a 57.