Jensen (pictured center with VSGA President Richard Wight, left, and VSGA board  member Grover  Walker), a recent graduate of Carlisle School in Martinsville, took home his first VSGA title. He also earned an exemption into the next week’s VSGA Amateur Championship, scheduled for June 29-July 3 at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria.

The finals encounter was a matchup of the last two seeds to earn a spot in the match play field after they both qualified in extra holes at the conclusion of Wednesday’s second round of stroke-play qualifying. On Friday, the 15th-seeded Jensen scored a 3 and 1 semifinal round comeback victory over Alex Lloyd (Virginia Beach) in the morning to advance to the deciding encounter. Meanwhile, Taylor ended the title hopes of another local, outlasting Bryce Cope of Virginia Beach in 20 holes in the morning session.

In the semifinals, Jensen faced a 2-hole deficit through five holes but won four of five holes from Nos. 7-11, including taking three straight from Nos. 7-9, while playing that stretch in two under par. After his opponent got within one at No. 12, Jensen answered right back, draining a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-5 13th and held no less than a 2-up advantage the rest of the way. Taylor, meanwhile, birdied the 20th hole of the match, the par-3 second to also earn his first finals’ appearance.

Continuing to ride his good play into the finals, Jensen got off to a scorching start, birdieing two of the first three holes, knocking in a 20-footer at the par-4 first and getting up and down from just off the green for an eventual birdie at the par-5 third to build a quick 2-up lead. Jensen was the stroke play equivalent of four under par en route to taking a 3-up lead after the first nine, his early semifinal deficit now a distant memory.

“I guess something clicked in the [afternoon match],” said Jensen, who took home the Clyde L. Luther Trophy, honoring the longtime VSGA rules chairman and national championship rules official. “I continued to tell myself that if I got down I could come back and make birdies. I knew I could hit good shots and once I did, it really helped my confidence.”

Jensen birdied the par-4 12th to push his lead to a match-high 4 up, was five under in the deciding match at the time and closed his opponent out two holes later. After getting through stroke play qualifying, Jensen said his confidence was buoyed by scoring a 3 and 1 opening round victory over Ashton Newsom of Chesapeake.

“I knew that if I won the first match that I could win it all,” said Jensen, a VSGA member at Chatmoss Country Club in Martinsville.

It’s been a memorable seven-plus months for Jensen. In November 2009, he signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Longwood University in the fall, and in May was a VSGA scholarship recipient. Admittedly, adding a VSGA title holds special significance.

“To get my name on a VSGA trophy is great,” Jensen said. “It’s been a great past few months.”

SUFFOLK –– Results from the semifinal round of match play at the 20th VSGA Junior Match Play Championship at Nansemond River Golf Club (6,679 yards, par 36-36—72) on Friday, June 25.

(16) Alex Taylor (Roanoke), 145 def. (12) Bryce Cope (Virginia Beach), 144, 20 holes

(15) Dylan Jensen (Ridgeway), 145 def. (6) Alex Lloyd (Virginia Beach), 144, 3 and 1

SUFFOLK –– Results from the final round of match play at the 20th VSGA Junior Match Play Championship at Nansemond River Golf Club (6,679 yards, par 36-36—72) on Friday, June 25.