Published: June 25, 2009 10:50 am      

Fernandez on fire on a very hot day

McAlester junior golfer Casey Fernandez won a three day tournament, playing through 100-plus degree weather for the Boys 16 Division Texas-Oklahoma Junior Open.

Fernandez shot a 68 his final round ending the tournament five under par, and seven strokes under a three-way tie for second place.

After the first round Monday Fernandez was in the lead by one stroke. He kept his lead through the second round after shooting 68, nine strokes under the competition.

Fernandez completed his third round shooting 72, two under par.

“I knew that they would have to shoot low to beat me,” Fernandez said, talking about his two partners. “I wasn’t too nervous because I was playing good. They would have had to really up their game to shoot lower than me.”

Fernandez played with second place golfer Santiago Gomez of Armenio, Colombia whose three day total was 75, 72, 72-217; Jackson Ogle from Oklahoma Christian High School, 73,76, 68-217 and Philippe Seleguan of Puebla, Texas, 75-74-68-217.

Fernandez is scheduled to be in Oklahoma City area June 30 through July 1 to play in an Oklahoma Golf Association match at Twin Hills Golf Course. That won’t be the end of Fernandez’s summer. He plans to play in four or five more Oklahoma Junior Golf Association tournament before school starts in the fall.

“The tournaments I will play in are OJGA tournaments,” Fernandez said. “I’ll be able still go to school and play in some tournaments. I don’t really think it will interfere with school. I’ll be able to get some more practice in.”

Fernandez is the No. 1 bag for the McAlester Buffaloes boys golf team. He begins his junior year August 12.

Contact Porky Falcon at pfalcon@mcalesternews.com.