RICHMOND, KY (July 2, 2020) - For the second time this week in Richmond, the best player in the field was clearly identified in the race to be Kentucky Junior PGA Champion. Macie Brown showcased her talent in the final round of the Girls’ edition of the Championship on Thursday at The University Club at Arlington. She finishes on top with a five-stroke margin of victory in the Championship Division following a closing round of 72 (E) to complete a two-day total of 145 (+1). 

Beginning the round with a four-stroke lead, Brown’s gameplan was immediately clear. She was going to hit fairways, hit greens, leave herself easy pars, and force someone to chase her down. An exemplary display of consistent golf from Brown in the form of sixteen pars, one birdie and one bogey meant the door never cracked open for anyone to close the gap. Trinity Beth was able to narrow Brown’s lead to two strokes halfway through the players’ final rounds, but Beth could not get any closer while Brown continued to make strings of pars. When Brown stuck her tee shot on the par-three 16th to inside of two feet to set up her lone birdie of the day, it effectively sealed up the tournament.

Brown, who will begin her sophomore year at Bullitt East High School this fall, clinches the biggest win of her career thus far and adds to an impressive resume on the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour. It is her twelfth win on Tour but first major title on the circuit. She will look to make it two consecutive majors later this month at the Kentucky Girls Junior Amateur at Cherry Blossom Golf & Country Club on July 16-17.

Matti Spalding was the tournament’s next champion who recorded an impressive round of 74 (+2) to win the 16-18 Division at 158 (+14). The round solidified a six-stroke win for Spalding over Lauren Worley. 

Cailyn Rogers came from three strokes behind at the start of the day to win the 13-15 Division thanks to a final round 77 (+5). It was a nine-stroke improvement for Rogers on Thursday compared to Wednesday, and it led to a three-shot margin of victory over Athena Singh and Lydia Harrel.

The 12 & Under Division was a close call, with Carol Ann Mendenhall coming from behind to win by a shot over Kristen Lingle. Mendenhall utilized a round of 48 (+12) to finish at 100 (+28) to secure the title.

Emlie Miller notched an impressive eleven-shot victory over the youngest competitors to win the 9 & Under Division. Miller shot 33 (+9) on Thursday to finish the tournament at 72 (+24) while Harper Wilson and Kathryn Gala finished in second and third place, respectively.

NOTES & STATS

• The hardest hole in the final round was the par-four 11th. Playing at an average score-to-par of +1.06, Abbie Lee (finishing in a tie for fifth place) was the only player in the Championship Division to make birdie on it.
• Thursday’s easiest hole was the par-four 6th at +0.37. The short dogleg left surrendered three birdies to the Championship Division. during the final round.

Click here to view the final results

The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour would like to thank Teddy Lausier, PGA and his staff at The University Club at Arlington for hosting this competition plus Jason Eberle, PGA along with his team at Gibson Bay Golf Course for hosting the Boys’ Championship. Every player and spectator’s cooperation in abiding by the COVID-19 tournament protocols is much appreciated as the 2020 season is now off and running. The Tour will be back in action on Tuesday at Shawnee Golf Course. The Tour wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend in between.