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Cabell Midland alumnus Cameron Jarvis wins the 104th WV Amateur

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — With his game in great form and with one of his good friends beside him as his caddy, Barboursville native Cameron Jarvis played the final round of the 104th West Virginia Amateur at the Greenbrier’s Old White Course with a sharp focus.

That focus however never shifted towards glancing at the electronic scoreboards that every player can check out during the round. The strategy worked as Jarvis posted a 5-shot victory to win his first state amateur title. A year after graduating from Cabell Midland High School, the 19-year-old Jarvis is believed to be the second-youngest champion in the history of the tournament.

“I had no idea what the score was. Honestly, I didn’t know anything and then that last putt fell. I didn’t know I had won and then everybody started celebrating. That was really cool,” Jarvis said.

“I am not a conservative player. I play to win. I don’t care if I am on the 72nd hole and down ten strokes or if I am on the 72nd hole and up five strokes. I am going to play my game.”

Jarvis opened the day as the lone player in the tournament under par (1-under) and with a one-shot lead on Davey Jude. Jarvis played error-free on the front nine, recording seven pars and birdies on the fourth and ninth holes. The birdie on No. 9 gave him a 5-shot lead on the rest of the field.

“That was a good birdie. I walked that one in. And then I tried to walk in four others on the back nine and they all lipped out.”

After a bogey on No. 11, Jarvis’ lead was reduced to three shots. However, Jarvis made birdie on the Par 4 16th hole to rebuild a 5-shot cushion. He made consecutive pars to close out the tournament. Jarvis was overcome with emotion after making the final putt and realizing the tournament title was his.

“Everything and nothing at the same time. It was really cool. It was a surreal moment. I have come really close in a lot of tournaments over the last several years. It just hasn’t gone my way. To have it happen here is so special.”

Jarvis credited his caddy and longtime friend for helping him shoot a final-round 68, which was the lowest score on the day in the 50-man field.

“This week I had one of my best friends, Xander Opimo on the bag with me. He knows how to read a putt. I can tell you that.

“Every single shot, he and I were just so locked in and ready to pounce on every opportunity.”

Jarvis, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, was grouped with Cabell Midland sophomore Jack Michael. Michael finished in sixth place at 7-over. He was the best finisher among junior golfers.

“We probably play, three, four or five times a week together,” Jarvis said. “We are always rooting for each other. Today, there wasn’t as much banter. I was pretty focused.”

(Cameron Jarvis’ post-round interview) 

Jude, a Marshall University graduate, finished as the runner-up at 2-over par. Marshall golfer and Brooke High School graduate Ryan Bilby (+3) was third. Reigning West Virginia Open champion Christian Brand (+4) finished fourth and Cory Hoshor (+5) completed the top five.

The youngest player in the field, 14-year-old Tommy Evans, finished tied for 7th place at 8-over. Evans will be a freshman at Washington High School this fall.

Jarvis’ win marks back-to-back West Virginia Amateur titles for Cabell Midland graduates. Noah Mullens won the title last year.

(Cameron Jarvis accepts the West Virginia Amateur trophy)

Final results





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