PNGA Junior Girls’ Amateur: Round of 16 Recap
Both the #1 and #2 seeds had byes in the Round of 16 today at the 60th PNGA Junior Girls’ Amateur Championship. Ashley Fitzgibbons of Sammamish, Wash. who claimed Medalist honors yesterday decided to play the golf course today and continue to learn the course before her Quarterfinal match on Wednesday, while Serena Lee of Auburn, Wash. appeared to take a day of rest before her Quarterfinal matchup.
Fitzgibbons will face the #9 seed, Payton Fehringer of American Falls, Idaho. Lee will square off against the #7 seed, Abby Euang of Seattle, Wash.
The biggest upset in the Round of 16 was #11 seed, Kelly Hooper of Spokane, Wash. knocking out #6 seed, Renee Kwak of Mukilteo, Wash. 3&2.
Players who lost their opening match will form a Consolation Bracket and start single elimination match play beginning on Wednesday.
The championship is conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).
The rich history of the PNGA Junior Girls’ Amateur Championship has included past champions Jo Ann Washam, Peggy Conley, Joan Edwards-Powell, Mary Budke, and JoAnne Gunderson Carner, all of whom would later be inducted into the PNGA Hall of Fame after storied amateur and professional careers. Other past champions include current LPGA Tour players Paige Mackenzie and Jimin Kang.
To be eligible for the Pacific Northwest Junior Girls’ Amateur Championship, contestants must not have reached their 18th birthday by the final day of the competition. This is one of 16 regional championships conducted annually by the PNGA.