Southern California Wins Back-to-Back Girls Junior Americas Cup Titles at Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas
Southern California shot a team total of 35-under 613 in the final round at Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas to complete a wire-to-wire victory and won the Girls Junior Americas Cup
Northern California finished second at 7-under 641 while Mexico finished third at even par 648. Arizona was fourth at 3-over 651.
Southern California was led by individual champion Rose Zhang, who finished at a stunning 21-under 195, including a final round 8-under 64. Zhang’s teammate and 2016 GJAC individual champion Brianna Navarossa finished at 16-under 200 and in second place. Also for Southern California, Mary Shin finished at 3-over 219 and Angelina Kim was 14-over 230.
“To be honest, I was just happy the whole team played well,” Zhang said, one of the nation’s top players in the class of 2021. “That was our main goal. All week I was in control of my game. I hit just about every shot the way I needed to and I played solid all the way through. I had some really good saves for par this week and that helped me keep my momentum going.”
Navarossa played extremely well during the tournament but couldn’t match the hot putting of Zhang.
“It would have been nice to come back and win again, but I couldn’t have played better, actually,” Navarossa said. “I shot 67, 66, 67 and those are pretty good scores. But if I couldn’t win, I’m glad Rose did. I couldn’t be happier with the way our team played. Plus, we had a lot of fun.” Quynn Duong of Northern California finished third at 9-under 207. Ashley Menne of Arizona was fourth at 6-under 210. Jacqueline Galloway of Sun Country and Victoria Gailey of Oregon tied for fifth at 4-under 212. The 2018 Girls Junior Americas Cup will be July 30 August 3 at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen, Colorado.
For complete individual results, click to this link.
The GJAC is an annual 54-hole team competition that is held on a rotating basis throughout the western United States, Canada and Mexico, and features an international field of the finest junior girl golfers from each region. This year marks the third time the event has been held in Southern Nevada. An individual champion will also be declared. Play is scheduled to begin each day at 8 am with official competition running from August 1-3.
Four-player teams from 17 areas are playing in the tournament being held at Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas, a course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The participants represent some of the top players in the state, province or country. The competing teams are: Arizona, British Columbia, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, New Mexico, Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, San Diego, Southern California, Southern Nevada, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The participants exemplify not only outstanding skill and experience, but also true sportsmanship, discipline, courtesy and strength of character. Being chosen to play in the Girls’ Junior Americas Cup is one of the highest honors in girls’ junior golf.
Previous Girls Junior Americas Cup champions include World Golf Hall of Fame member Lorena Ochoa, who won the individual title in 1999, the last time the GJAC was held in Las Vegas. Other LPGA Tour players who are past GJAC champions include Kim Saiki, Brandi Burton, Lee Lopez and Pat Hurst, among others.
About Girls Junior Americas Cup
The purpose of the Girls Junior Americas Cup is to bring girls together from various states and countries fostering new friendships and mutual respect.The Girls Junior Americas Cup was established in 1978 under the leadership of Joan Teats from the state of Washington. The first tournament was held at Tumwater Valley Golf Course in Olympia, Washington, with eleven teams and now features 18 teams from Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, New Mexico, Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, San Diego, Southern California, Southern Nevada, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.Visit GJAC.org for additional information.