Gilrowski wins battle of the locals for Women's Western Jr title
Gabriella Gilrowski (WWGA/Twitter photo)
When it came right down to it, a couple of Carmel, Ind., locals were left to battle for the Women’s Wester Junior title on Thursday at Woodland Country Club. Gabriella Gilrowski and Jocelyn Bruch are rising high school seniors who play out of nearby Bridgewater Club in Carmel. The two have been competing against one another for years, but this time there was a national junior title on the line.
To reach the championship match, Gilrowski defeated players from Canada, Kentucky and Missouri. Bruch reached the finals by taking down players from Colorado and Texas before edging another local talent, Nathaly Munnicha, of Columbus, Indiana, in the semifinals.
“I knew I had the capabilities to win,” Gilrowski said. “My goal was birdie on every hole. Even when I made bogey, I bounced back with birdie or a solid par.”
Gilrowski had the advantage for most of the day after going 1 up on the second hole. After the two traded the lead back and forth for the opening holes, Gilrowski won the eighth and ninth to make the turn with a 2-up lead.
Despite Bruch winning Nos. 15 and 16, Gilrowski ultimately won on the 17th hole.
“Being the underdog as the number 12 seed, fueled me to hit the shots and drain the putts,” Gilrowski said. “Match play suits me.”
Bruch was proud of her play but disappointed.
“I had good momentum coming into the championship match,” Bruch said. “I played solid golf all week. Even when I stumbled, I kept my foot on the gas.”
Gilrowski’s win earns her an automatic exemption into the 119th Women’s Western Amateur Tournament set for Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois, July 15-20.
Information from the Women's Western Golf Association used in this reportView results for Women's Western Junior
ABOUT THE
Women's Western Junior
First played in 1920, the Women's Western Junior is one of the oldest junior golf tournaments in the United States. Long seen as a testing ground for the stars of the future, past Women's Western Junior champions include Candie Kung (1998), Cristie Kerr (1994), Grace Park (1993) and Nancy Lopez (1972, 1973, 1974).
ELIGIBILITY
Entries are open to female amateur golfers who are at least 12 years old and will not reach their 19th birthday by the date of the final round. Entrants cannot be a college or university student, a member of a college golf team, or have participated in any supervised collegiate team activities. All applicants must conform to the USGA Gender Policy and Rules of Amateur Status and have a World Handicap index less than 9.4
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