VERO BEACH - In the 59th playing of the Girls' Junior Amateur Championship hosted by Bent Pine Golf Club and Vero Beach Country Club, June 27-29, 122 of the top junior amateurs in Florida tee'd it up to decide who would take home the title in their respective age divisions. The week started with 70 players in the 16-18 Division, and 52 players in the 13-15 Division. After 36-holes, the field was cut to the low 40 and ties in the 16-18 division, and low 30 and ties in the 13-15 Division. 72 total players made the cut to play in the final round.
Girls 16-18
After Round one, played at Vero Beach Country Club, Chloe Schiavone had taken the lead with an impressive three under-par, 69. Not far behind was Wendy Wan at two under-par, 70, and Meiyi Yan at one-under, 71. Schiavone, a resident of Jacksonville, carded three birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 14th hole. During the second round, played at Bent Pine Golf Club, Schiavone and Yan continued their steady play both carding even par 72. Schiavone's six birdies and 141 total give her a two stroke lead over Yan heading into the final round. 40 players advanced to the final round.
Schiavone did not disappoint in the final round. Chloe is know for her fiery personality, so it was only right that she fired red numbers to win her second FSGA Championship of the year. Schiavone carded a two under-par 34 on the front nine, birding both par 5's. It was steady play and two bogeys on the back nine to card an even par round and take home the title by three strokes. Meiyi Yan and Georgia Oboh finished the week at even par. Oboh shot the low round of the group, carding a one under-par, 71. Schiavone will represent Team Florida in the South Eastern Challenge Match July 29-31.
Girls 13-15
Kaitlyn Shroeder, of Jacksonville, took the lead in the younger division after carding a one under-par 71 at Bent Pine Golf Club. Chasing close behind was Karoline Tuttle, of Lake Mary, and Aaron Whitley, of Sarasota, at even par. Tuttle recently made a run at the 89th Women's Amateur Championship, finishing Runner-Up. During the second round, played at Vero Beach Country Club, Tuttle and Whitley carded respectable rounds of one over-par, 73, to tie for the lead heading into the final round. 31 players made the cut.
Whitley, Tuttle, and Clark made the turn all tied at one over-par for the tournament, making the back nine a deciding factor. Whitley carded two huge birdies on 14 and 16 while Clark and Tuttle finished with even par, 36. Whitley had secured her victory by two strokes.
