As many as 26 junior golfers from throughout the state of Alabama flocked to Demopolis Tuesday morning for the first Dixie Section PGA Junior Golf Tournament in West Alabama.

The ravine Golf Course hosted the one-day event that paired up junior golfers from ages 8 through 17 for 18 holes of some of the best junior golf competition this state has to offer.

Rex Bible, owner and operator of the Ravine Golf Course, was more than pleased with Tuesday’s turnout and is already looking forward to hosting again come next year.

“It was a great day of golf,” Bible said. “It was a great day for junior golfers of West Alabama and it was a good day for the Ravine. We already have confirmation that we will again be hosting the event come next year.”

Bible’s confirmation came from Dixie Section PGA Coordinator Steve Schepker, who was highly impressed with course and the turnout Tuesday.

“We average between 20 and 40 kids at our tournaments,” Schepker said. “And to have 26 come out in this tournaments first trip to West Alabama is impressive and encouraging. Personally I think Demopolis has a got a great public course here at the Ravine. You can’t find too many better holes that numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5.”

Bible knows the numbers at Tuesday’s event were good, but he was hoping for better. “I was a little disappointed that none of the local high school golf teams participated in the even this year,” Bible said. “But hopefully, things will be different come next year.”

In the Boys 16&17 age group, Jonathan Gunnels of Piedmont, Al, shot an impressive round of 74 to captured the first place trophy, while Robert martin of Yance, Al, came in second.

In the Boys 14 7 15 age group it was David Patterson of Birmingham coming in first, with Walter Bullock of Livingston in second and John Blakenship of Sylacauga coming in third.

The Boys 12&13 age group saw two local golfers take home trophies as Will Kelley coming in first and Rob Rorie, both of Demopolis, coming in second. Bradley McGuire of Glenco came in third.

Two more Demopolis natives finished strong in the Boys 11&under age group, as Michael Peter of Florence came in first, Chase Cameron of Demopolis tied for second with Will Walker of Hoover and Walker McNeil of Demopolis finished third.

Over in the girl’s age groups it was all about the Stewart sisters of Selma. Eight-year old Jillian Stewart walked away with the first place trophy in the 11&under age group, while Jessica Stewart and sister Jennifer Stewart took home the first place trophies in the 12&13, 14&15 age groups.