Young golfers to vie for Junior Bunyan win

BAR HARBOR – Last year, Adam Smith of Ellsworth and Noah Tapley of Blue Hill shared top honors in the 13-14 age division at the Junior Bunyan Golf Tournament. This year, the 15-year-olds will be among the favorites to win the Under-17 title.

The 24th annual event gets under way Tuesday at Kebo Valley Golf Club. Smith and Tapley, along with James Frost of Calais, will get the action started with a 9:32 a.m. tee time. The competitors will play 18 holes.

The tournament drew a scant 26 entries this year, compared to more than 60 last year. Defending co-champions Erik Fitch of Castine and Adam Williamson of Rumford, who shot 78 last year, are not returning.

Six of the entries are for the McPheters Cup, a nine-hole event for children under 12. McPheters Cup action will tee off at 10:28.

Smith, Tapley, and Ryan Garland of Hermon all shot 84 last year to tie for 13-14 honors. Smith and Tapley likely will need to improve those scores in order to hold off challenges from Frost, Ryan Weggler, and Josh Sadlier.