WAGA state tournament begins
Published 1:44 am Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Haley Wilson’s one-seed status went unchallenged in first-round play of the Women’s Alabama Golf Association State Junior Championship at Selma Country Club on Monday.
Wilson of Phenix City shot a 73 to earn a four-stroke lead over her nearest competitor in the three-day, stroke play event.
Anna Dudman and Amber Watkins each shot a 52 to tie for the nine-hole group lead.
This year’s field includes Wilson, defending champion Betsy Birchall, and 45 aspiring golfers, ages 9-18, from all over the state.
The 18-hole group has a field of 36.
The nine-hole group has a field of 11.
Caroline Gurley, 12, from Hoover, is in her fourth consecutive State Junior tournament. In the last three years, she finished first, third and second in the state.
Valerie Brownell, 15, from Prattville, wasn’t pleased with her outing Monday.
“I shot over 100 which is not good for me,” said Brownell. “That’s way higher than I expected.”
The winner receives the Bea McWane Reid Junior Championship trophy.
Reid won six state amateur championships.
The tournament continues today and will conclude Wednesday.