Libby golf phenom places third at PGA event
<p>14 year old Ryggs Johnston of Libby wins the 14-19 yr old boys division by 4 strokes at the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour 3 Day Elite Event. The tournament was held on the 7,000 yd Palms Course at Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, AZ. Feb. 14-16. There were 31 players in his division. He shot rounds of 69-71-76 to finish even par with a 216 total.</p>
Libby’s 15-year-old golf phenom Ryggs Johnston went on the road this past weekend, competing in the Pacific Northwest Junior PGA Golf Tournament. Johnston, competing in the 16 to 18 age bracket, shot one under par for the tournament, placing third.
“It was a pretty good tournament,” Johnston said. “It’s a long course, 7,000-something yards, and pretty tight.”
Johnston made the decision to compete in the 16 to 18-year-old age bracket in hopes of qualifying for the national PGA Junior event. He fell, though, as only the tournament winner advanced.
Johnston’s mother, Cindy Ostrem-Johnston, was also pleased with his play.
“I’m one of his biggest fans,” she said. “He did well this weekend.”
Spencer Tibbits of Vancouver, Wash., won the tournament, shooting an 11-under 133 for the tournament, seven strokes in front of second-place Sam Warkentin of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and 10 ahead of Johnston.
Johnston opened the tournament Saturday with a one-over round of 73, which put him in sixth position. He came back Sunday and shot a two-under 70 to finish the tournament one under par at 143.
Johnston was pleased with his performance overall and is looking forward to a summer full of competition.
“I’m pretty happy with my finish and pretty happy with the way I played,” he said. “I could have played a bit better, but I just have to keep learning and improving with every tournament.”
Johnston’s next tournament is the Montana Junior State event in Polson June 20, an open event for golfers under age 18. Although the tournament is a two-day affair, the first day is a qualifier for a national tournament, the IMG World Tournament in San Diego later this summer.
Johnston will also be traveling to North Carolina in July. He will be playing in the U.S. Kids – Teen World tournament held at the storied Pinehurst Golf Club.
Ostrem-Johnston, said she is proud of her son’s dedication and work ethic.
“He’s very dedicated,” she said. “He’s a gifted natural athlete, but he also puts in a lot of time working on it.”