Stokes wins FW Boys Junior

The Fort Worth Junior Golf Boys Championship is back in Aledo.

For the second time in three years a Bearcats golfer captured the title as Braden Stokes hit his best shot of the tournament on the first playoff hole on Thursday, July 25. It happened after he finished in a three-way tie atop the championship flight at Fort Worth's Shady Oaks Country Club.

Braylon Mahanay won the title in 2022, followed by a runner-up finish last summer. Mahanay now plays for Weatherford College.

Stokes posted a 292 total over four rounds in the tournament played at a variety of courses in and around Fort Worth. He shot 70 at Rockwood, 75 at Ridglea, and 71 at Burleson's Hidden Creek before finishing with a 76.

"Over the summer I'd have one good day, one bad day. I just focused and put together four good days," Stokes said in summarizing his play on the week. "This feels great to win."

On the playoff hole, Stokes placed his approach shot from 146 yards out and into the wind to within six inches of the hole, which he then tapped in for a birdie and the win.

"I hit it and it was going right towards the hole. Everybody put their hands up, showing me how close it was," he said.

The great shot, his best in the tournament, came after he let a one-stroke lead slip away on the final hole of regulation.

"After 18 I just told myself I need two good shots," he said.

Bearcats coach Brian Mourning said this performance sets Stokes - who advanced to the Class 5A State Tournament in May - and the rest of the team up for an exciting 2024-25 season. He especially liked seeing several of Stokes' teammates stick around and watch him play after they'd finished in the tournament, and even some former Bearcats, including Mahanay.

"That gets momentum going, seeing one of their teammates succeed like that," Mourning said. "Braden played very well. That's a tough tournament and he deserved to win. I'm proud of him."

Stokes said he was excited to see his friends there to support him.

"We take a lot of pride in this tournament. It's great being there and supporting each other," he said.

Other Aledo success

Stokes wasn't the only Aledo golfer to win a championship. In the 11-13 age group, Cannon Cole took the crown in the first flight, shooting nine-hole rounds of 31 and 33 for a 64 total at Benbrook Par-3 and Texas 9.

Also, in the 10-Under division second flight, Hunter Hamman won with rounds of 37 and 47 for an 84 total at those same courses.

Also competing in 14-18 group second flight, Ethan Elmore tied for eighth with a 313 (78-80-79-76) and Tyler Anderson was 14th with a 322 (82-79-79-82).

In the third flight, Cade Moore tied for fourth with a 323 (81-86-78-78). Also in that flight, William Kirkman tied for eighth at 326 (82-80-82-82) and Brian Yarbrough was 11th with a 330 (88-78-82-82).

In the 14-18 Division II, Christian Moll was ninth in the seventh flight, shooting 198 (97-101), while Ryder Kelly was 13th in the fourth flight with a 169 (82-87).