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65th Girls' Junior Championship

Pelican Golf Club - Belleair

June 27-29, 2024

McKoan Steals the Show at Pelican Golf Club

 

BELLEAIR, Fla. – Emma McKoan was crowned champion at the 65th Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship through three rounds of a changing leaderboard at Pelican Golf Club. McKoan captured the victory at 3-under par with rounds of 69-68-70.

The final round saw fluctuating fortunes among the leaders. Hannah Hall, initially the sole leader, encountered early challenges with a double bogey on the second hole, which opened the door for Sara Vitasek to briefly take the lead. However, Hall responded strongly with a birdie on the fourth hole, and the lead became shared among Hall, Vitasek, and eventual champion Emma McKoan as they approached the seventh hole. Hanging two strokes behind was Katelyn Huber, Gabriella Albert, and Olivia Hasselbach, who were sitting 1-under overall. 

Following a 3-hour rain delay, McKoan managed a steady even-par performance on the back-nine, positioning herself well going into the clubhouse. As the round progressed, tensions heightened with critical bogeys and birdies shaping the leaderboard. Hasselbach found water on eighteen where she would finish with a bogey for a final round of 67 (-2). Ultimately, a playoff ensued between McKoan and Hall after both players finished tied at the top.

The playoff started on the 18th hole, where Hall drew the honor. Hitting it right of the fairway, her ball found water, yet it was nothing that she couldn’t handle. With a magnificent shot situating herself pin-high, Hall saved par which would send them to the second playoff hole off of tee #10. 

The playoff ended after two holes where Hall made bogey while McKoan had a tap-in par to clinch the victory. Hall finished in second place with a 207 (70-66-71). In a tie for third was Ava Zhang, Gabriella Albert, and Olivia Hasselbach with a total of 2-under.

When asked what this victory means, McKoan answered “It means the world to me. I’m so excited to go to California, and it just makes me feel really good because the field was amazing this year and the fact I played really well just…it just means the world to me.”

Emma McKoan completed a remarkable sweep by securing both the overall championship and the title in the 13-15 division. Her victory earned her a spot at the 75th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, scheduled for July 15-20 at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California.

Tee Information

Tee

Yardage / Info

Girls' Overall

6,110 yds. / 74.8 / 128

Par: 70

Weather Information

Description

Temp

Sunny

Sunny, Hot, Winds 8-12 mph

88 °F

Sunny

Sunny, 1h 15min Rain Delay, Calm Winds

89 °F

Cloudy

Cloudy, 3 hour Lightning Delay

88 °F

Tournament Results

PosPosition Name Rd.1 Rd.2 Rd.3 TotalTotal Score Points
1 Emma McKoan 69 68 70 207 5000
2 Hannah Hall 70 66 71 207 3500
T3 Ava Zhang 70 73 65 208 1938
T3 Gabriella Albert 69 72 67 208 1938
T3 Olivia Hasselbach 67 71 70 208 1938
T3 Sara Vitasek 69 68 71 208 1938
+ View Full Results

Tournament Summary

Format54 holes of gross stroke play

Eligibility Female Florida resident - junior golfer

Handicap:  Florida GHIN 10.0 or less

Entry Fee:  $180

Championship Format

  • Overall Championship (all junior ages) and Junior (13-15) Age Division
    • 54 holes of individual stroke play
    • *New for 2024* - All players will play the same tee and compete for the Overall Championship and exemption into the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship. The low scorer in the 13-15 age division will also be recognized and awarded a trophy. 

Eligibility

  • Female amateur golfer
  • Florida Resident
  • Entrant must be no older than 18 as of the last day of the Championship and not attending college if graduated from high school. See exception here.
  • Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA.
  • Players 12 and under may play up into the Championship if they have been granted permission to play in the (13-15) age division of the Florida Junior Tour.

Entry Fee

  • $180
  • Entry fee includes all competitive rounds of golf and tee gift. Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late fee should the entrant gain acceptance in to the field.

Schedule of Events

  • Thursday, June 27th
    • 7:15 AM - 9:30 AM - Registration located near the clubhouse
    • 8:00 AM - 10:06 AM - Round one tee times off the 1st and 10th tees
  • Friday, June 28th
    • 8:00 AM - 10:06 AM - Round two tee times off the 1st and 10th tees
  • Saturday, June 29th
    • 8:00 AM - 10:06 AM - Final Round tee times off the 1st and 10th tees
    • Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Entry Priority

  • Entries meeting the criteria below will be entered into the Championship on a first-come, first-serve basis up until the entry close date or the field is full.

    • Previous Girls' Junior Champions (either age division)
    • Top 500 & ties from the final 2023 World Amateur Golf Rankings
    • Top 100 ranked players on Junior Golf Scoreboard as of close of entries
    • Top 35 in last year's Girls' Player of the Year Points List
    • Top 10 & ties from last year's Girls' Junior Championship (16-18)
    • Top 5 & ties from last year's Girls' Junior Championship (13-15)
    • Quarterfinalist from last year's Junior Match Play Championship
    • Top 3 & ties from last year's FHSAA Golf Finals
    • FJT winners since last year's Girls' Junior Championship (16-18 & 13-15) 
    • Top 15 & ties (16-18) and top 10 & ties (13-15) from current year's FJT Points List as of close of entries
    • Top 15 & ties (16-18) and top 10 & ties (13-15) from last year's FJT Points List
    • Players who made Match Play at last year's Women's State Amateur Championship
    • Players who made the cut at last year's Florida Women's Open
    • Players who finished top 25 in last year's Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship
    • Players who qualified for one of last year's USGA Championships

    Any additional available spots and all alternate spots will be filled by (in this order):

    • Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking (at close of entries)
    • Receipt of entry (first come first served)

    Last Chance Qualifier
    One last chance qualifier will be conducted on Tuesday, June 18 for golfers that did not gain entry in to the championship field.

    • Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Entries will open on June 7th, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
    • Approximate Field Size: 42 players for 6 spots (subject to change based on field size)
  • The FSGA reserves the right to modify the entry process at any time.
  • The FSGA may hold an undisclosed number of spots for exceptional circumstances.

Championship Practice Rounds

  • Practice rounds will only be available on Wednesday, June 26th at Pelican Golf Club beginning at 11:00 AM. The price for a practice round is $50.00 + tax and will be walking only.
  • The FSGA will create blocks for players to book times through Golf Genius. As we approach the Championship, a link will be posted here and under Tee Times & Info to book your practice round tee time. 

The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

Practice Before & Between Rounds

A player may not practice on the competition course before or between rounds. Penalty for first breach: General Penalty. Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.

Trackman Combine

We are pleased to offer tournament participants the opportunity to utilize our TrackMan launch moniter, and to have her swing recorded on Wednesday, June 26th at Pelican Golf Club. Specifics will be included in the  pre-event email. There is no charge for this service. All information will be posted to the junior's FSGA profile for college coaches to view. Click here for more information.

Championship Information

Championship Policies

Player Information

Past Championships

Host Site

  • Pelican Golf Club
    1501 Indian Rocks Road
    Belleair, FL 33756
    (727) 285-9703
    • Directions
    • Payment - Cash & All Major Credit Cards are accepted at Pelican Golf Club

 

Host Hotels

World & National Rankings

AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)

  • Champion - Fully Exempt
  • Top 5 - 12 stars
  • Top 10 - 8 stars
  • Top 15 - 4 stars


 

 

Exemptions Earned From This Tournament

  • Winners
    • USGA Exemption Event, which carries an exemption into the 75th U.S. Girls' Junior Championship.
    • Next year's Girls' Junior Championship
    • Next year's Women's Amateur Championship