Aug. 4, 2008

Ranked one of the top 40 juniors in the nation, South Carolina incoming freshman Sam Braver (Roswell, Ga.) was one of 20 players representing the East last weekend at the American Junior Golf Association’s Canon Cup. Played at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn., the event has an East versus West format with 20 players – 10 boys and 10 girls – on each team. Players are selected based on the Polo Golf Rankings that rewarded them for top finishes in national junior golf events.

The East took a lead in the first day’s morning four-ball matches, but saw the West come back in the afternoon mixed foursome matches to hold a narrow 8-7 margin heading into the second day of play. Braver teamed with Austin Cody for the morning four-ball matches, dropping a 4 & 3 decision to Rak Cho and Michael Jae Woo Im.

The West players asserted themselves on day two, winning 19 of the 30 points available on the day. Braver and teammate Crawford Reeves of Greenville, S.C., were among the few to help the East’s cause as they halved their morning foursome match against Josh Jones and Cory Whitsett. Braver and Reeves led for most of the day until No. 17, where Jones sank a birdie putt to go 1-up. The East duo scored par on the final hole to halve the match. In the afternoon’s mixed four-ball matches, Braver and Alexis Thompson saw the West rally again as Kimberly Kim and Jones surged for a 5 & 4 victory.

The teams set up for singles play on the final day with the West picking up 11 victories in the 20 matches. Braver fell 3 & 1 to Alex Kang.

Finishing with a 30-20 advantage over the three days, the West collected its 10th Canon Cup victory in the 19-year history of the event.