Jessica Spicer (Carolinas Golf Association/Twitter photo)
Jessica Spicer of Bahama, N.C., captured her third CGA title at the 93rd Carolinas Women’s Amateur Championship with an even-par 216 total. In the final round, Spicer shot 2-over 74.
“It means so much. I mean we have such a strong program of golf in the Carolinas with so many good players,” said Spicer. “To know that I can stand up against those girls and add my name to that trophy with those ladies is just awesome. It definitely boosts my confidence.”
Spicer started the final round with a three-shot lead over her closest competitor, but got off to a slow start and the lead was cut to one shot after a couple of early bogeys.
Riley Smyth of Cary, N.C., carded a 2-over 218 total to earn runner-up honors. Smyth and Spicer battled all day, and Smyth tied for the lead twice on the back nine.
“We were going back and forth the whole back nine,” said Spicer. “I don't think I ever lost the lead, but there were a lot of chances for her to get it; putts that just slipped by or lipped out. That stretch of 12 through 17...kept me on my toes for sure, but she played great.”
Emily Hawkins of Lexington, N.C., was also able to put pressure on Spicer in the final round after making an eagle on No. 7 to tie for the lead at even par. Hawkins finished her round with a three-over-par, 219 total to finish in a tie for third place with Alexandria Bare of Salisbury, N.C. Bare had the low round of the day with a one-under-par, 71 and she was the only player in the field to shoot under par in the final round.
Spicer made a clutch save from a bunker for par on the par-3 17th hole and carried a two-shot lead going into the final hole of the championship. She was able to two-putt for a par and the victory on the 18th green. Spicer will look to carry this momentum into the Carolinas Women’s Match Play Championship at Furman University Golf Club later this summer.
In the Carolinas Division, Jayne Pardus of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., earned the low senior award with a three-over-par, 219 total. Patty Moore of Pinehurst, N.C. finished as the low super senior in the Carolinas Division with a 4-over 220 total.
The Carolinas Golf Association would like to thank the club members and staff of Ballantyne Country Club for hosting this event. The tournament would not be possible without their dedication and hard work. A special thank you to Matt Saggio, Director of Golf and his assistants Jason Erick, Chris White and Joe Maher, Golf Course Superintendent Scott Cochran and Director of Catering, Amanda McCleery.
The Carolinas Women's Amateur Championship was inherited by the Carolinas Golf Association from the Carolinas Women's Golf Association in 2013. The championship began in 1922 and annually crowns the women's amateur champion of the Carolinas.
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ABOUT THE
Carolinas Women's Amateur
The championship is conducted at 54 holes of
stroke play (no cut). All players, regardless of
Handicap Index, have the option to play in the
Championship Division or the Carolinas Division. The
Overall Champion will be determined from the
contestants playing in the Championship Division.
Awards will also be given for the low senior in the
Championship and Carolinas divisions (age 50-64),
the low Super Senior in the Carolinas Division (ages
65 and older), and the medalist in the Championship
Division (low score after 36 holes).
Entry is open to any female amateur golfer who
has reached her 13th birthday by the first day of the
championship, is a legal resident of North Carolina
or
South Carolina, is a member in good standing of a
club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf
Association and has an active USGA Handicap Index
at a CGA member club that does not exceed 40.4.
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