By AL MILLEY

YANCEYVILLE – Bruce Woodall was overwhelmed but not totally surprised by his victory in the 13-under division of the North Carolina Boys Golf Championships played June 20-22 at Old North State Golf Club at New London.

"I was overwhelmed, not that I couldn’t believe it, but by the fact I came out on top in a very strong field," said the sweet-swinging 12-year-old. "I was confident going into the tournament and I was more focused than I had ever been."

Woodall qualified third with a three-over 75 to make the match-play field of 16 to open the tournament. He went on to post three 9-hole victories and earned the championship trophy with a 3-and-2 win over second-seeded Kevin O’Connell of Raleigh in the 18-hole final. He had advanced to the final with a 2-1 win over top-seeded Philip Chauncy of Durham in a 9-hole semifinal.

Woodall started his match-play sweep with a 1-up win over close golfing friend Clay Gauldin of Mebane, sinking a 5-footer for the victory on the ninth hole. He followed with a win over another golfing friend, Rob Kirkland of Durham, 4-up.

The second-round win included the ‘shot of the tournament,’ according to Woodall. "I popped up my drive at 15 and had 210 to the green," he recalled. "I hit a 3-wood four feet from the hole and made the birdie putt to close the match.

Woodall’s qualifying round was marred by double bogeys at 10 and 16 and he finished six shots back of Chauncy’s medal-winning three-under 69. Woodall calls Chauncy one of the top junior golfers in the state, but he admits he wasn’t intimidated. "I felt I could beat Chauncy, and I picked up some confidence when he was extended extra holes in his first two matches.

Woodall took a 1-up lead to the ninth hole and closed the match when Chauncy three-putted from 30 feet. "It was the biggest upset of the tournament, but I knew I still had a long way to go," added Woodall in noting his opponent in the final, O’Connell, was also considered one of the top juniors in the state.

"Kevin has won a lot of junior tournaments, including the Donald Ross Juniors at Pinehurst."

The 18-hole final was even after nine holes, and Woodall had a little talk with himself. "I told myself it was now just like another nine-hole match and I had a good chance to win it."

Woodall won 10 and 11 and went to 16 three-up, closing the match and the championship when O’Connell three-putted from 35 feet.

The rising seventh grader at Westover Christian Academy in Danville, Va. credits his tournament victory with an improved short game and keeping the ball in play off the tee.

The North Carolina Juniors was Woodall’s biggest win, but he has other accomplishments in his young golfing career. He has dominated his age division in the Triad Golf Today Junior Golf Tour and Junior Inter-Club matches since the age of nine.

"My short game has been getting stronger, I’m chipping better, and I had a good putting week," he added in recalling no more than two or three three-putt greens at the North Carolina Juniors. "I’ve been working on my short game this year with the help of my dad (Jerry) and my coach (David Thacker).

Woodall plays almost every day at Meadow Greens Country Club in Eden, walking nine or 18 holes. He then rides nine or 18 at Caswell Pines Golf Club at Yanceyville with his dad in the evenings.

His dad, operator of Tee to Green in Eden, downplays his role. "I’ve just tried to be available when Bruce wanted to go to the golf course, like any parent. Bruce was always ready to go and I didn’t want to burden him with too many pointers, I just wanted him to have fun playing the game," added the elder Woodall who carries a handicap anywhere from four to seven.

"Bruce always had a good golf swing, but a lot of kids have good swings at that age. It seems like this year he became more serious about improving, and I left most of the teaching to David Thacker."

Thacker, the teaching pro at Meadow Greens, says Bruce is a good student. "I’ve been working with him about two years now, and he does seem to be working harder on his game, especially his short game.

"Bruce has all the qualities to continue to improve. He has the swing, but more importantly, he has the desire and the self discipline to improve. He also has confidence in himself, and you can’t teach that. We’ve made a few changes and his swing is now solid and more repeatable. Bruce has a solid game and he will get better. He’s also getting bigger and stronger, and I see a good future for the youngster."

Woodall, who will be 13 on January 31, has grown five inches and three shoe sizes over the past year and now carries 123 pounds on a 5’ 6" frame.

He credits his improved strength with workouts at Acceleration of Virginia fitness center in Danville.

"I’m stronger overall and I increased my vertical jump," Woodall added in mentioning his second love, basketball.

"I love golf and I love basketball. I concentrate on golf in the summer and basketball in the winter. I want to continue to improve in both sports and my goal is to play both sports at Duke University."