Golf Association of America's Tournament of Champions in Alliance, Ohio, which finished on Thursday.

Chris Garland, who led the 18-21 age group from the start, shot a final round of 76 to win that division, though he lost the overall title to Aaron Lewis by two strokes on Friday.

Robert Spurling hung on to win the boys 13-14 by one shot after a closing round of 85 while Quinton Sherlock had a final round of 80 to move into third place. Michael Sims slipped to fourth after a of 85.

The day's best round and that of the whole tournament was fired by Steven Carruthers, an even-par 72, which moved him up to fifth place in the 15-17 group.

Garland will be hard-pressed to defend his overall title when the 17th annual Atlantic International Championships begin on Tuesday at Belmont Golf Club.

Garland, whose confidence has no doubt been boosted following that win in Ohio, can expect a stiff challenge from local favourites Duncan Zelkin, Adam Tufts and Jimmy Legere as well as overseas players Nate Oberle, a three-handicapper from Orlando, Florida, and one-handicappers Darren Whitten, of Toronto, and Jeff Zmayefski of Massachusetts.

In the boys 15-17 age group, locals Craig Brown and Steven Carruthers should find stiff competition from Kyle Smith of Orillia, Ontario, who is a three-handicapper.

In the girls section, a small field is headed by Alisa Hardy of Bermuda who will face tough competition from a three-handicap player, Morgen McGlaughlin of Colorado and Molly Driscoll of Massachusetts.

Play in the 72-hole event switches to Mid Ocean Club for the second round on Wednesday and to Port Royal GC next Thursday for the third round. The fourth and final round is scheduled for Friday at Belmont.