BLACKSBURG -- Most teenage golfers in the area would give anything to win a Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Junior title.
Not Matt Harman, however.
Despite having a strong chance to win a title he blew a year ago, first-round leader Harman was a no-show for Sunday's final round at Blacksburg Country Club, opening the door for Hunting Hills teammate Jack Wilkes to capture his second HOF junior crown in three years.
''I wouldn't have won it if Harman had been here,'' Wilkes said. ''I would have had to made up six shots on him. I owe him.''
Spurred by a 4-under 68, Wilkes forged a tie with Blacksburg's Michael Bekken [70] at 1-under 142 through 36 holes. Wilkes drained a 4-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to become the fifth two-time winner in the event's 33-year history.
Harman, whose 68 as a late substitute for his team in Saturday's first round at Blue Hills put him three shots clear of the field, decided not to play Sunday because of a prior commitment with his new girlfriend.
''Matt wanted to go to church [Sunday] and hang out with his girlfriend,'' said Wilkes, laughing. ''All of a sudden, he's a lady's man. He needs to teach me a thing or two there.''
Bekken led by three shots after a frontside 3-under 33. He shot 1-over 37 on the back side to fall into a playoff. After each player parred the first playoff hole, Bekken missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the next hole. Wilkes made his birdie to end it.
''This was my last junior tournament, so it would have been nice to have gotten this one,'' said Bekken, who plans to play golf at William and Mary as a walk-on.
Hunting Hills captured its fourth junior team title in six years, shooting 4-over 433 to clip defending champion BCC by three shots.
