GALLIPOLIS — Week three of the 2009 Tri-County Junior Golf Tour produced some new faces, new winners, and generally tightened up the standings in several age groups as the young linksters played at Cliffside Golf Course in Gallipolis.

Nick Saunders of Gallipolis won the First Place Fruth trophy with the best score of the day at 41 with his first venture with the premier 15-17 age group. Close behind with 45, fellow Gallipolis hitter Corey Hamilton collected the runner-up award at one stroke ahead of Point Pleasant’s Justin Cavender who secured third place. Zane Warner and Corey Arthur tied for fourth on identical 47 stroke totals. Following the leaders were Kevin Beck with 56, Dave Green and Daniel Rees with 60 each, David Michaels at 65, and Matt Cornell with 68.

Previous leader Opie Lucas was absent giving Cavender the go-ahead to secure the position of bracket point leader with 21, one ahead of Lucas’ 20. Hamilton is third at 15, Warner at 11, and Saunders with 10 going into the final point-earning round.

Libby Leach of Cheshire earned her third consecutive Ladies First Place trophy and stands alone in the girls bracket with 30 points.

In the 13-14 age division, Dakota Sisk of New Haven posted 54 to earn the First Place Fruth Trophy and locked up the 2009 Tour champ award at 28 points. Jacob Leach of Cheshire had 65 for runner-up this week. Gus Slone of Gallipolis collected 70 strokes for third place points which earned him the second place position overall at 16 points, just two better than Sam Gordon of Mason. Fourth this week was Christian Sparks with 80, ahead of Joshua Parker 82, and Trenton Cook at 101.

The 11-12 age division really turned into a competitive jumble for the season. Logan Sheets of Bidwell fashioned a neat 51 to grab the Fruth First Place weekly gold, while Jacob Hoback of Racine was right behind at 53 for the second place trophy. Zack Graham of Gallipolis posted 65 points for third, and division leader Ryan Schenkelberg of Meigs was fourth on 72. Close behind at 75 was Michael Edelman, ahead of Mike McKnight 86, Hunter Rose 102, and Jacob Click 106.

Overall, Schenkelberg holds the lead with 24 points, Graham and Hoback are tied at 16 each. Sheets has 15, and Edelman 10, so the final points week should be an exciting one.

Addison Stanley of Gallipolis just about locked up the 10-and-under division with his third First Place Fruth trophy in a row at 30 points. Jasiah Brewer of Pomeroy is second overall with 20 points on his third place weekly total of 74.

But, Jonah Hoback of Racine picked up his second consecutive Fruth runner-up trophy this week on 63 strokes, gaining eight more points, and is third overall at 16 points, challenging for second overall next week. Garrett Jones earned fourth at Cliffside with 95, so this division could see exciting changes too in the points final at Mason.

The Juniors assembled Monday at Riverside Golf Course in Mason for an eventful nine holes that will ultimately decide final standings or ties, or whatever else that could be in store.

Next Monday, July 20, at Hidden Valley Golf Course play will resume for awards and a fun finale where seasonal plaques and prizes will be presented. So, all area young linksters once again are urged to join in. Play begins each week with a 9 a.m. tee off, just show up for registration at 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Play, eat, enjoy the learning and fellowship, and make memories.