Kinnare Secures Two‑Shot Lead at JAGA Amateur

Ambrose Kinnare entered the 65th Jacksonville Area Golf Association Amateur Championship with a short memory for pressure, a trait that served the Tocoi Creek High School junior well through 36 holes at Sawgrass Country Club on July 20. After a two‑shot advantage, a double bogey on the par‑4 ninth derailed his momentum, but he recovered with three birdies on the back nine, carding a 70 to finish at 7‑under 137. Kinnare now leads a tight field that includes rising senior Landon Durham (66) and Henry Robards (70) as well as Will Braude (72), all by two strokes. The final round is slated for July 21, where the quirks of Sawgrass—especially under windy, hot conditions—ensure no lead feels safe.

Kinnare’s Late Surge

When the seven‑iron pinged into the water on the ninth, a two‑shot cushion turned into a single‑stroke deficit for Kinnare. The 17‑year‑old quickly tucked the disappointment away, noting that his growing experience helps him “put bad shots and bad holes behind me.” Three birdies on the back nine, including a 15‑footer at 18, erased the double‑bogey blemish and secured his place atop the leaderboard. The comeback highlighted his mental toughness, a skill he credits to playing more tournaments.

Tight Field for Final Round

Braude, who also double‑bogeyed the ninth in the opening round, stayed within striking distance after a steady 72. He praised the slower greens and said he was “happy to hang with [Kinnare] most of the day.” Behind the leaders, Cameron Reed sits fifth at 4‑under, followed by Maxwell Morgan at 2‑under. Luke Balaskiewicz and Zach Lee are tied at 1‑under, illustrating how competitive the pack has become as the field condenses.

Key Performances on Par‑5 Holes

Kinnare’s strategy proved perfect at Sawgrass, where he birdied all four par‑5 holes. The same pattern worked for Robards, who recorded three birdies on the long holes after switching to an L.A.B. DF3i putter. Both players credit recent equipment changes and routine tweaks for the surge in putting performance. Their success on the majors suggests that approach will be crucial for anyone chasing the lead on Sunday.

Rising Stars and Established Names

Below the headline group are a blend of collegiate prospects and seasoned amateurs. Durham, a 18‑year‑old senior at Elon, set school scoring records; Robards, an Episcopal graduate, is transferring to Georgia Tech after an All‑SoCon season at Mercer; Braude returns for a 38th birthday later this month; and Reed, now at Furman, earned two state titles at Ponte Vedra High. Others like UNFP rising sophomore Balaskiewicz and former Bolles standout Lee add depth to the field.

• Kinnare has won the Junior Azalea and the Dr. Gordon Ira last week at Deerwood.
• Durham is a rising senior at Elon College, where he set the school’s 54‑ and 36‑hole scoring records.
• Robards, an Episcopal graduate, was an All‑SoCon selection at Mercer and is transferring to Georgia Tech.
• Braude, who turns 38 next month, also played at Episcopal, then at Jacksonville University.
• Reed, now at Furman, was a member of two state championship teams at Ponte Vedra High. Morgan, 16, is now at Ponte Vedra.
• Balaskiewicz, the runner‑up in the JAGA Amateur last year, was a Bolles standout and is a rising sophomore at the University of North Florida.
• Lee, another Episcopal graduate who played with Braude, went on to the University of Florida.

Making the Cut: Joe Stepnes’ Comeback

Former UNF player Joe Stepnes delivered one of the day’s most dramatic rallies. After a first‑round 82, he birdied the tenth and eagled the eleventh, then fired a 67 to finish at 5‑over 149. Stepnes made the cut by three strokes, a performance that underscores how quickly form can return after a sluggish start. Another notable scorer was Matt Kleinrock, whose second‑round 69—four birdies in the opening eight holes—put him at 1‑over 145.

Final Round Standings Overview

After the second round, the top ten finishers were led by Kinnare at 7‑under, followed by Landon Durham and Henry Robards (both 139) and Will Braude (139). Cameron Reed held fifth at 140, while Maxwell Morgan posted 142. The cut line settled at 151, comfortably clearing players such as Joe Stepnes (149) and Matt Kleinrock (145). This depth ensures that Sunday’s competition will be intensely fought from the opening tee.

The Jacksonville Area Golf Association Amateur Championship continues on July 21, with the cream of the region’s amateurs vying for the historic title at Sawgrass Country Club. Whether Kinnare can hold off the charging pack or new contenders will rise remains to be seen, but the talent gathered guarantees another classic performance under the Florida sun.