Final Round Recap
After an eventful three days, the Girls Junior Americas cup has come to a close at Banbury Golf Club. The final round consisted of many ups and downs as the leaderboard took some dramatic shifts starting on the front nine. Without a doubt, the 43rd annual Girls Junior Americas cup was one for the books as team Idaho went on to make history while playing in their hometown.
Trailing by three as the final round begun, team Idaho knew that they had to show up and create a substantial lead on the front if they wanted a shot at 1st place. Through the 4th hole, Idaho stood in 1st place going 4-under to create a 1 stroke lead over Mexico who at the time were even. Sitting in third, Southern California made a profound statement by going 6 deep to minimize their deficit by 1 behind Mexico. As the round continued, these three teams battled profusely itching to go home with the win. Entering the back nine, team Idaho and Mexico were tied for first at a team total of 3-under. Southern California maintained their 1 stroke deficit sitting 2-under after the front. Coming all down to the back nine, team Mexico sustained their momentum by not letting up. Idaho put up a tough fight, but Mexico stood strong and brought home the glory with a 19-under par total for the tournament win.
Team Mexico brought the heat with consistency and determination. Vania Simont who lead the team in individual stroke play fired a 69 (-2) in the final round of the tournament bringing her total under par for the tournament to 7-under which was third in individual stroke play. Lauren Diana Olivares Leon had a very consistent three days by shooting a total score of 69-69-69 = 207 (-6). When asked what her defining moment was for the tournament, Leon said when she knocked the par 3 on the fifth hole to about 2 feet from a hole in one, she knew she was playing her best game. Clarisa Tamelo went even in the final round totaling her score to 3-under for the tournament. Their fourth teammate, Alexa Saldana stated that her defining moment of the tournament was the first day on the first hole with a birdie “providing my team the momentum we needed to carry on throughout these past three days.” Saldana shot a total score of 70-71-70 = 211 (-2). Team Mexico shot a total combined score of 607 (-19). Congratulations to Team Mexico for their win in the 43rd annual Girls Junior Americas Cup.
With a staggering performance across all four teammates, team Idaho made history by finishing in 2nd place for the first time in GJAC history! Team Idaho started off strong and finished even stronger with their jump from 3rd place to 2nd over the course of these three rounds. Teammates Carly Carter, Emily Cadwell, Kelli Ann Strand, and Brooke Patterson all played with passion and heart while representing their homeland. Finishing second in Individual stroke play, Kelli Ann Strand had a well-earned final round by going 3-under. Through 54 holes, Strand ended up shooting scores of 72-64-68 = 204 (-9). When asked how it felt to make Idaho history, Strand said “It felt really good because usually were playing against each other and this week gave us the opportunity to support one another.” Emily Cadwell had an unbelievable three days by going 5-under total for the tournament. When asked if she would do anything differently, Cadwell stated that “we played really well and exceeded the goal we set out, so no we are very happy with how we performed.” Carly Carter who shot 2-under for the tournament stated that “everyone played well together when it came down to the wire” when asked about her highlight for the tournament. Brooke Patterson had a phenomenal last day by going 1 over for the day finishing with a 10 foot eagle putt on 18 green. Team Idaho shot a total combined score of 610 (-16).
In third place, the Southern California team put up a fantastic three days of playing with players Jasmine Koo and Kylie Chong finishing in the top ten in individual stroke play. Chong finished 1st in individual stroke play shooting scores of 67-65-68 = 200 (-13). In performance, Chong totaled a net of 15 birdies, 52 pars, and 2 bogeys. Jasmine Koo had a fantastic final round by going 2-under to go 2-under total for the tournament. Elina Kuang also had a stellar final round by shooting even to bring her final score for the tournament to 4 over. Southern California shot a total combined score of 614 (-12).
The IGA would like to thank every player and their captains for making their trek to Idaho for a great three days spent playing the sport we all love. As we pass the baton on to Montana for the 44th annual Girls Junior Americas Cup, we would like to wish them good luck in the upcoming year.
