Tibbits wins Oregon Junior Amateur golf title

Vancouver’s Spencer Tibbits added an elusive golf title to his bag on Friday.

The Fort Vancouver High senior-to-be who won the Royal Oaks Invitational last month, added the Oregon Junior Amateur title with a 5 and 4 win over Richie Mikesell of Albany, Ore., on Friday at Willamette Valley Country Club in Canby, Ore.

Tibbits, who finished runner-up in this championship last year, was playing the Junior Boys Championship flight (ages 16-17).

Tibbits began his match against Mikesell on a tear, going 3-up after four holes and maintaining that lead after nine holes of play. On the back nine, Tibbits began by birdieing the 10th hole to go 4-up.

Mikesell got one back with a birdie on the par-4 12th hole, but Tibbits earned the victory after a birdie on the par-5 14th hole to win 5 and 4.

“It feels great,” said Tibbits in a press release from the Oregon Golf Association. “It’s a big weight lifted off my shoulders. After years of heartbreak in this tournament, this was the only one I hadn’t won in my junior career.

“To finally get it done my last year is really a great feeling.”

In the Pee Wee Boys division (ages 8-11), Camas’ Eli Huntington finished runner-up to Elliot Lee of Tillamook, who won their championship match 6 and 5.