Bounds going strong in Florida

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
July 28, 2003
Meridian resident Clay Bounds is fighting his way through some strong wind gusts at the Optimist International Junior Championship golf tournament at the PGA National Resort and Spa golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla..
The Queen City golfer seems to be taming the unfavorable conditions just fine, as he sits tied for 11th place in the a field of 166 golfers from across the country and globe.
"The wind is blowing very strong, and it takes a lot of concentration," Bounds said in a phone message.
Bounds shot a 75 in second round of the tournament on Sunday to tie two other golfers for the 11th spot on the scoreboard.
In the opening round of the tournament, he also scored a 75, which put him tied for 20th in the tournament.
Bounds struggled on the first two holes on the opening day shooting a bogey and double bogey to put him three over.
But he was able to rebound shooting even par over the next 16 holes to finish strong. The young golfer scored a 41 on the front nine, and he hit a 2-under-par 34 on the back nine.
In the field he is competing with at the top of the leaderboard, Bounds and a golfer from Texas are the only two U.S. born players.
The other golfers in the top 20 are from Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand and Mexico.
"The people are awesome and the golf course is phenomenal," Bounds said in a phone message. "The Optimist (Club) has provided a wonderful opportunity for all golfers from the U.S. and internationally."