Kelly Mitchum found himself tied for the lead heading into the final round of the North Carolina Open being held at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis, and it appeared he might finally capture the elusive title, the only section major that he hasn’t been able to win in an illustrious career.

But after battling to the top with rounds of 68-65 and sharing the lead, Mitchum, a Southern Pines resident who is an instructor for Pinehurst Resort’s Golf Academy, struggled to a 76 in the final round for a 209 total that left him tied for 16th.

There was no such struggle for David Rogers, an apprentice at Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton, S.C. Rogers, who had opened with rounds of 66-70, closed with a 67 for a 7-under-par 203 that was just good enough to stave off a charging Steve Isley.

Isley, who plays out of Oak Island Golf Club, posted a 64 that fell a shot short, tying with amateur Corey Nagy, of Charlotte, who had a final-round 71.

Rogers used a three-birdie string to take the lead into the clubhouse, then watched as no one was able to catch him. He won $3,600.

Robert Hoadley, an amateur from Southern Pines, shot 66-72-69—207 and tied for eighth. Sherrill Britt, an amateur from West End, tied for 16th with Mitchum at 209. Jack Ulrich, of Southern Pines, tied for 24th with 211 and Patrick Barrett, of Pinehurst, tied for 39th with 214.

First Tee Tour: It was a hot start for the Tin Whistles-First Tee Tour, which held its first event of the season at the Country Club of Whispering Pines last week.

Despite the mid-90s temperatures, Jacob Sauer, of Whispering Pines, shot 76-72—148 to win the Championship Flight in the Boys’ 15-17 age division.

Connor Reilley, also from Whispering Pines, was second with 74-76—150. Kirby Moffitt, of Asheboro, took third with 151.

Ethan Harris, of Whispering Pines, shot 162 to win the White Tee Flight, edging Kendall Lewis, of Asheboro, by a stroke. James Chavis, of Maxton, was third with 167.

Josh Stockwell, of Aberdeen, shot 74-75—149 to win the Gold Flight for boys 13-14. Barrett Fitzsmorris, of Cary, was second with 166. John Rea, of Pinehurst, was third with 167.

Brandon Harrell, of Pinehurst, shot 79-86—165 to win the Red Tee Flight, followed by Darien Erickson, of Southern Pines, and Bobby Capps, of West End.

Noa Bullough, of Vass, won the 9-11 Red Tee Flight with a two-day score of 46-46—92, one stroke better than Jarred Robinson, of Pinehurst.

The boys’ 9-11 Orange Flight was won by Dakota Locklear, of Pembroke, with 102. Chase Ivey, of Whispering Pines, was second with 105. Matthew Walters, of Aberdeen, and Joshua Chavis, of Maxton, tied for third.

In the 8-under Orange Flight, Symon Balbin, of Pinehurst, shot 85 to win over Colin Dutton, of Foxfire Village, with 94. Ethan Waters, of Carthage, was third with 97.

Gina Kim, of Chapel Hill, shot 86-81—167 to win the Girls’ Red Tee Flight. Savannah Thompson, of West End, was second with 178, with Caroline Rea, of Pinehurst, at 179.

Amy Wooten, of Clinton, shot 71 to win the girls’ 9-11 Orange Flight. Cali Morfin, of West End, was second with Jessica Grady third.

The next tour event will be June 28-29 at Mid Pines Golf Club. For information, visit the website at www.twftjr.com.

Proud Peffleys: Pinehurst members John and Liz Peffley had a special interest in the U.S. Open this week.

Blaine Peffley, a native of Lebanon, Pa., and a nephew of the Peffleys, was competing in the Open at Pebble Beach after taking medalist honors in a 36-hole sectional qualifier held at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., where he shot a 6-under-par 138.

Peffley is currently competing on the Hooter’s Tour.

Amateur Tours: Craig Sturdivant, of Sanford, won the Championship Flight of the Senior Amateur Tour event played at The Club at 12 Oaks in Holly Springs.

It was the second straight win for Sturdivant, who won the event held at Seven Lakes Country Club last week. He shot a 1-over-par 73 to nip Mitch Whitley, of Zebulon, and James Dill, of Cary, by a stroke. Chuck Taubersmith, of Pinehurst, was fourth with 77.

Charles Smith, of Greensboro, won Flight A with 75, a shot better than Bob McQueen, of Hope Mills. John Henely, of Pinehurst, tied for fourth in Flight C.

Todd Pritchard, of Apex, won the Championship Flight of the eGolf Amateur event held 12 Oaks, finishing seven shots ahead of the double-dipping Sturdivant.

Nate Steger, of Southern Pines, shot 86 to take fourth place in Flight B.

Woof-Woof: The second annual Woof-Woof Open will be held this weekend at Longleaf Country Club and The Pit Golf Links.

The tournament benefits the Pooch Park in the Pines, the Moore County Humane Society’s fenced dog park, a leash-free park for canines and their owners.

The Saturday event at Longleaf is a two-best-balls of four, while Sunday’s tournament at The Pit is a step aside Woof-Woof Scramble. Teams may consist of men, women or be mixed. Shotgun starts are at 8:30 a.m. both days.

The entry fee is $75 for each day or $125 for golfers desiring to play both days. Each player receives two complimentary greens fees at Longleaf and two greens fees for The Pit per day of play for a total of eight green fees each.

Entry forms are available at local golf shops, The Pilot, radio stations Star102FM and WIOZAM, or online at www.moorehumane.org.