Shim, 15, cruises to four-shot Arizona Silver Belle win
Ashely Shim (NCGA photo)
MESA, Ariz. (Dec. 30, 2018) – Ashely Shim’s scorecard was colorful on her final day at Longbow Golf Club, but it had just what the 15-year-old needed to leapfrog the collegians in the field and win the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle.
For Shim, from San Mateo, Calif., it’s the biggest amateur title of her young career. The 15-year-old qualified for the both the U.S. Women’s Amateur (missed cut) and the U.S. Girls’ Junior (fell in first round of match play) this year. Top-10 finishes in the Rolex Girls’ Junior and the California Women’s Amateur also highlighted her year. Shim is also a junior member at Olympic Club.
Shim entered the final round one shot behind 2016 Silver Belle champion Brigitte Dunne, a California native who is a senior at SMU. But while Dunne sunk to outside the top 10 with two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey, Shim started hot with three birdies. There were a trio of big numbers on the back, but Shim righted the ship with two more bogeys.
Her final-round 70 was enough to get her to 4 under for the week. No other player finished the 54-hole event under par.
Four players tied for second at even par including 2015 Silver Belle champion Kenzie Wright, Briana Chacon, Ashley Menne and Kelly Su.
Another group of four players landed at 2 over, including first-round leader Julie Ju.
Dunne ended up as part of a four-way tie for 17th at 4 over.
ABOUT THE
Arizona Silver Belle Championship
Founded in 1971 by Joanne Winter, LPGA, the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship was to encourage competition in golf for young women amateur golfers under the age of 24. Today, it is nationally recognized and included in the major golf rankings, including AmateurGolf.com. This tournament qualifies for AJGA Performance-Based Entry. Entrants must be younger than 24 years old as of December 28. All applicants 14 years and younger will be reviewed as one group and will compete for the Overall Champion title and within the '14 and Under' age division.
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