Cohn, Abiecunas roll at Legacy Tournament

This year's Las Vegas Founders' Legacy Junior Golf Tournament lacked leader board excitement, but California's Matthew Cohn and Colorado's Nancy Abiecunas aren't complaining.

Cohn and Abiecunas led the three-day American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) event from wire to wire to claim titles in the boys and girls divisions, respectively.

"The win is so sweet that I can't even find the words to describe how I feel," said Cohn, a 17-year-old from San Diego who picked up his first AJGA trophy. "This win was a long time coming."

Cohn, who overcame windy conditions on Tuesday to fire a tournament-low 65, shot 71 on Wednesday and a two-under 71 Thursday to hold off the rest of the field.

Defending champion Michael Beard (Palm Desert, Calif.) made a run at Cohn on the final day, posting a 69 to finish three strokes back. Ryan Nomura of Carpinteria, Calif., also made a charge on Thursday, putting a 65 on the board to finish tied for third.

Durango High School junior-to-be Randy Creighton wound up tops among local competitors, tying Nomura for third, four strokes behind Cohn. Green Valley graduate Dallas Massey also fared well, finishing one shot behind Creighton.

Abiecunas, who hails from Fort Collins, Colo., followed her first-round 70 and second-round 68 with a two-under 70 on Thursday. She finished four strokes ahead of Washington's Jimin Kang.

"All I wanted to do was go out and have fun this week," said Abiecunas, who picked up her second career AJGA title. "When I have fun and have a smile on my face, things always work out for the better."

Green Valley's Mary Jan Fernandez was the top local entry, placing third eight shots behind Abiecunas, while former Gator teammate Kimberly Kindig finished tied for sixth.

archive