Ethan Puckett, 15, of Hideaway, putts during the Tyler Junior Golf Championship on Wednesday at Pine Springs Golf Club in Tyler. (Sarah A. Miller | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The young linksters were out in full force Wednesday at Pine Springs Golf Course.

Temperatures may have hovered around 100 degrees, but golfers attacked the beautiful and lush course with a cool demeanor.

It was the first round of the second annual city of Tyler Junior Golf Championship. The event is sponsored by The First Tee of Greater Tyler.

The second and final round of the 36-hole event is scheduled for Thursday at Peach Tree Golf Club in Bullard. A shotgun start is slated for 8 a.m.

There’s a tight battle in the Boys Open Division (ages 16-18) with Cole Wilkins leading the way with a 74. He is followed closely by Jaxon Bellar (75), Andrew Bellamy (77), Will Harrison (81) and Brooks Garner (83).

In the Girls Open Division, Gracie Greer shot an 83.

Another close matchup is in Boys 14-15 as Carson Hiltpold leads with an 88. Tied for second with 89s are Tucker Thomison and Ethan Puckett.

Other leaders include Job Hammond (Boys 7-9), Ronnell Samson (Girls 7-9), Jacob Cole (Boys 10-11), Sidney Robertson (Girls 10-11), Skyler Trevino (Boys 12-13) and Annaka Watts (Girls 12-13).

The 7-9 and 10-11 divisions play nine holes with the others competing in 18-hole rounds.

Hammond shot a 54 with Doak Porter (64) and Peyton Wood (67) following in Boys 7-9. Samson leads the girls division with a 54. She is followed by Reece Porter (55).

In the 10-11 divisions, Cole carded a 40 with Timothy Pridgen second at 49. Robertson had a 45 in the girls division.

In Boys 12-13, Trevino carded an 85. Marty Foster is second with a 96. In the girls, Annaka Watts tops the field with a 94, followed by Adele Samson (110).

The tournament is open to youth at least 7 years old and a resident of Smith County.

The mission statement of The First Tee of Greater Tyler is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

Children ages 7-18 can join The First Tee of Greater Tyler for an annual fee starting at $30. The activity fee includes all materials and equipment while allowing members to participate in The First Tee Life Skills Program with access to the golf courses at discounted junior rates.

For more information on The First Tee of Greater Tyler, contact Christian Sarran, program director, at 903-705-7281, ext. 101, or email csarran@thefirstteegreatertyler.org.

Second Annual City of Tyler

Junior Golf Championship

First Round: Pine Springs Golf Course

Girls

Ages 7-9 — Ronnelle Samson, 54; Reece Porter, 55; Kileigh Sparrow, 65.

10-11 — Sidney Robertson, 45.

12-13 — Annaka Watts, 94; Adele Samson, 110.

Open — Gracie Greer, 83.

Boys

7-9 — Job Hammond, 54; Doak Porter, 64; Peyton Wood, 67.

10-11 — Jacob Cole, 40; Timothy Pridgen, 49; Brayden Cox, 51; Leroy Sparrow, 52; Christopher Whitmore, 69.

12-13 — Skyler Trevino, 85; Marty Foster, 96; Adam Farnham, 133; Jacob Beaumont, 135.

14-15 — Carson Hiltpold, 88; Tucker Thomison, 89; Ethan Puckett, 89; Branson Page, 111; Caleb Wallace, 113; Joey Boyd, 118; Russell Tapley, 124.

Open — Cole Wilkins, 74; Jaxon Bellar, 75; Andrew Bellamy, 77; Will Harrison, 81; Brooks Garner, 83; Sebastian Sanchez, 101; Justus Carnahan, 131.