He wasn't going to let it happen again.

LaPorte fired a 1-over-par 72 to win the 16-to 18-year-old group by five shots in the youth golf competition at the Augusta Golf Course on Monday.

"I figured I'd have to shoot some somewhere around par, because on this golf course you can go low," said LaPorte, whose course low is a 68.

LaPorte made up for his near miss in 1999, when he tied for third in the 13 to 15 age group. Instead of receiving a bronze medal, LaPorte was told that he lost a scorecard playoff. He received no medal.

On Monday, LaPorte was one of 34 junior golfers competing in the Georgia Games Championships. In 1999, there were 71 junior golfers participating.

Augusta Golf Course's head professional, Guy Reid, said a junior golf event at Three Oaks Golf Course on Monday took away some of the participants.

"If they wouldn't have been having that, we would have had about the same numbers," Reid said.

Regardless, five golfers came away with gold medals. Chris Stallman won the boys 13 to 15 age group with a 78, while Daniel Stallman (79) captured the boys 10 to 12 age group. Marie Sconyers shot an 89 to win the girls 16 to 18 age group, while Reagan Freeville (98) won the girls 13 to 15 age group.

LaPorte, 18, easily won his age group over Evan Moody. But it wasn't until the back nine that LaPorte secured the gold medal.

After birdieing the par-5 first hole, LaPorte bogeyed five of the next nine holes. He was 4-over on his round through 10 holes.

"I couldn't get anything going after No. 1," said LaPorte, a recent graduate of Evans High School and Georgia College & State University signee. "After No. 10, I knew I had to get going."

And he did. LaPorte carded birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 and stuck an approach to within two feet on No. 15 for another birdie.

Before the round, LaPorte was put in a unique situation. He was paired with two golfers in the 13 to 15 age bracket, because nine of the 10 golfers in the 16 to 18 age group went off in threesomes.

It worked out well for him, though, as he was able to out-drive his playing partners "by 50 to 60 yards," each hole, he said.

"The kids I was playing with were in awe every time I hit a shot," LaPorte said. "I had a good time with them. They were fun."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 114.