By Angie Ledbetter

C. J. Easley, 11, of Pope won the 2011 Mississippi Boy’s Junior Amateur golf player of the year in the Division D category, ages 10 and 11.

Easley was presented his trophy and plaque earlier this month at Jackson Country Club.  

Easley played in several tournaments this year leading to his award a few weeks ago.

“It was really exciting for me to finally win it,” said CJ. “It took a lot of hard work to win it though. It took me each and every day of practicing. I always believed I’d win it.”

Easley admitted his competition was tough.

“Martin Bell of Senatobia was trying really hard and putting pressure on me all of the time,” Easley said. “He made it a lot harder for me to win it.”

Easley finished the year playing in the Inaugural Mississippi versus Louisiana Cup Matches held October 15 and 16 at Southern Pines Golf Course in Calhoun Louisiana.

According to his mother, Kerry, he had to be invited to play in it.

“The top six in each age group determined who qualified. The top six players were based on the total points accumulated throughout the season. This was the first time a Mississippi team has ever played outside the state. Next year Mississippi will host the tournament.”

Saturday was played at the Pines Hills Course which was four ball-matches. Sunday was at the Calvert Crossing Course with singles matches. Each match was worth three points. A total at the end determined the winner with the most points won. Mississippi led after Saturday night. There was a dinner Saturday night and then the single match pairings were announced.

On Saturday Easley was paired with Jack Gnam of Ridgeland in the four ball match. They lost to Hayden White and Charlie Flynn of Louisiana. Easley played Flynn in the singles matches on Sunday, collecting half the match and receiving 1.5 points for his Mississippi team.

Mississippi held on strong Sunday to win 75.5 to 50.5 over Louisiana.

“I got sick on Saturday due to my not eating much that morning and it was very hot all day. The second course was real hilly also.”

White was phenomenal, according to Easley, and started the match eagle- birdie-birdie.  

The youth play the Ryder Cup format at the end of the season against each other in the Mississippi matches also which was held at Castlewoods Golf Course in Brandon on October 1 and 2.

Easley was paired with Simms Abney of Jackson for the four-ball match on Saturday defeating Gnam and Parker Dailey both from the Jackson area. On Saturday Easley tied his match with Gnam which was shortened due to darkness.

Easley has concluded his season until next June where he will start off in Oxford at Ole Miss.
“I was real happy with the way I played all year. I finally started playing good and getting better.”
He is also the son of Jamie Easley.