MOREHEAD — After 162 holes of golf, one would think the picture would become crystal clear.

Not so on the EKJGA Walmart Tour.

Some divisions needed 18 more to figure out exactly who was the best this summer — the EKJGA labels the elite few as Players of the Year, determined by a points system.

Eagle Trace Golf Course played host on a hot yet comfortable day, and by Friday afternoon, all questions were answered after the year's final event.

 Like, what else is new?

Roger Maynard III remained a mainstay as the top golfer in his division. After all, it's happened every year since the EKJGA's inception in 2008.

Tate Justus gave the Sheldon Clark senior an absolute fight, though, that went down to the final hole.

Also, was Gillum game for an upset?

Ryan Gillum, a long shot to overtake Thomas Hall (first going into Friday) and Burke (second), was paired up with Hall and Burke. He made it quite interesting in the 9-10 group.

And, could both Haleys be happy?

Haley Adams had already clinched Player of the Year honors in the grades 10-12 division, but Haley Webb had something to say on the final day. So did Sam McGuire, in the boys grades 11-12 division, which Nick Blankenship locked up weeks ago.

Webb, an Ashland senior, started off hot — par, birdie, par — and, with an 80, finished five strokes ahead of Laken McKinney.

"That was definitely a good start," Webb said. "My putting was really good today."

 Webb said playing in seven of the 10 EKJGA events this summer helped boost several aspects of her game — iron play, hitting greens in regulation and overall course management — which she had hoped to improve before her final season at Ashland.

A fellow member of her senior class, Blankenship, dug a huge hole for himself on the No. 1 hole on Friday, with a 4-over-par 8.

McGuire, though, knew he'd be back on his heels before long.

As the threesome, which also included Jeff Meade, rolled into the 17th hole,Blankenship closed the gap to one between himself and McGuire, a Russell senior.

"He was one shot behind me so I knew I had to make a birdie somewhere to not go to a playoff," McGuire said.

McGuire missed a birdie attempt on No. 17. So did Blankenship.

On the final green, Blankenship sank a challenging putt for birdie before giving way to McGuire.

"I stayed pretty calm under pressure, which was important," McGuire said.

That he did, as an eight-foot uphill putt with a slight left-to-right break found the cup for a birdie and a victory. He shot the best overall score of the day with an even-par 72.

Meanwhile, Gillum steadily created separation ahead of Burke and Hall, who both struggled.

While Evan Cox took the event with a 74 in the 9-10 division, Gillum's 76 would have been good enough to give him the Player of the Year award.

However, Hunter Lee Holbrook and Michael Taylor also each shot a 76, and both edged Gillum due to a scorecard tiebreaker.

It was, nonetheless, an impressive showing for Gillum.

The Elliott County freshman could have competed in the grades 7-8 division for having just completed eighth grade this spring, but he chose to play up a level.

"I think that it's good to play up to that level of competition, that way I'm playing with most of the people I'm going to face in high school golf," said Gillum, a varsity golfer since fifth grade.

Hall, an Ashland sophomore, nabbed POY honors. Burke, of Boyd County, placed second overall.

Maynard III clung to a fourth straight POY title, but barely.

Justus, who entered the tournament within striking distance of Maynard III, was just a couple strokes away from changing that outcome.

Jonathan Bryant was named Player of the Year for boys grades 3-under. Connor Calhoun came in second.

Other Players of the Year for the girls were Hannah Varney (3-under) and McKenzie Walters (grade 7-9).

AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.