Jowers starts strong in DeBolt Classic title defense (PHOTO GALLERY)

FORT WALTON BEACH — If you didn’t know better, Brandon Jowers’ world appeared to be crumbling before him.

View photos from the first day of play »

After missing a rare putt on the ninth hole, the Choctawhatchee standout tumbled to his knees, raised his arms toward the sky in despair and fell onto the well manicured green at Fort Walton Beach Golf Club’s Pines course in the first round of the 31st Annual Marvin DeBolt Daily News Junior Golf Classic.

The miss came on a putt of over 60 feet and on the final hole. But Jowers’ reaction didn’t exactly come out of uncontrollable frustration — more of a “what might have been.” He had just missed the opportunity to improve on what ultimately became a 67. It was clear that the reigning boys 16-18 champion was taking the defense of his crown quite serious.

“I left it right on the lip,” Jowers said, shaking his head.

Still, Jowers finished Day 1 with a three-stroke lead despite ending the day admittedly “sloppy” with his driver and that gut-wrenching miss.

“It was a good first day,” Jowers said. “I was hitting the ball great, I was putting the ball well — not as well as I would have hoped — but good enough to shoot a low number.”
Jowers wasn’t alone in putting up a low number.

Gulf Breeze product Jack Sargent, who fired a two-under 70, Joe Stepnes (71) and Navarre’s Trey Aguirre (72) each shot at or below par for the day and yet all remained looking up at Jowers.

Jowers was 7 years old when he first started playing the Classic, winning his first title at age 13 and then again edging the field a year ago for his second title. Now with an opportunity to win back-to-back crowns, Jowers is hopeful of carrying a strong first day showing over to today’s round.

“Winning it back-to-back with the field as tough as it is right now would be a major accomplishment,” Jowers said. “I’m just going into (today) with the same mindset: make some putts.

“We still have another 18 holes.”

Jowers’ day began with a 40-foot putt for birdie on No. 12 that seemed to set the tone for the remainder of the round. By the time he had reached the back nine, Jowers said “it was cruise control.”

“Hit fairways, hit greens and make putts,” Jowers said.

Sargent’s day seemed to follow a similar smoothness as the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College signee found himself at 5-under after the first six holes. But a 32 on the back nine was followed with seven pars and two bogies on the front side.

“I was trying to stay calm about (the 32),” Sargent said. “(On the front nine) I didn’t play horrible … I just didn’t really make anything.”

In last year’s win, Jowers followed a 70 with a 66. As he glanced at the leader board, Sargent — like the rest of the field — acknowledged the challenge in front of him.

“I feel pretty good,” Sargent said. “I got to get past Brandon, though.”