Trey DePriest wins Arkansas Junior Amateur Championship

Trey DePriest, 17, has had over 75 career wins on many golf courses but winning the Arkansas Junior Amateur Championship is the biggest win to date for the young golfer. The tournament was held June 15-16 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock.

Trey DePriest, Arkansas Junior Amateur Champion

Trey won the title by one stroke. It came down to the last hole and Trey had to par for the win. He won the tournament with a score of 72/76 for a two day total of 148.

Trey, son of Thomas and Candie DePriest, will be a senior at Buffalo Island Central High School. He has been golfing since he was three years old and enjoys the challenges of the game.

"In golf you do the best you can do as an individual," Trey said. "When you do the best you can do and win, it is good but when you lose you congratulate the winner for doing better."

Trey has been invited to represent Arkansas in the Southern Cup which will be held Aug. 3-5 at the Country Club of Little Rock. The states include Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas. Six boys and six girls were chosen.

Trey calls it an honor to be chosen and is looking forward to the tournament.

When he returns from the Southern Cup, high school competition will begin.

During his three years playing high school golf, his teams have earned state championships each year.

He is looking forward to his senior year and returning to the course with his teammates.

"All of our team is returning and we are looking forward to another great season," Trey said. "Coach Justin Yates will be coaching our team this year and he thinks we have a lot of potential."

Trey had struggled with health problems through the years and actually had to have heart surgery Aug. 21, 2015. The seven hour surgery at LeBonheur Hospital in Memphis went well. It was a hard recovery, but Trey was determined and he was back on the golf course in three weeks.

He had a good season his junior year winning medalist in the district tournament and was named All State. His team finished the season with a 53-9 season.

Trey's health is good and he is ready for the season.