North Carolinian Emilia Migliaccio rolled into Roanoke this week looking to become another in a long list of repeat winners in the Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Girls 15-18 Division.
Putting her game on cruise control over three days at historic Roanoke Country Club, Migliaccio kept the rest of the field at bay to finish at 7-under 206, good for a six-shot victory over runner up Youngin Chun.
Migliaccio basically put the winner’s trophy in her bag during Saturday’s second round. After taking the first-round lead with a 4-under 67 on Friday, the Cary, NC native opened Saturday’s play under ominous skies and predictions of heavy rains by birdieing eight of her first 12 holes. Faltering slightly on Saturday’s inward nine, she still fashioned a masterful 5-under 66.
That gave the future Wake Forest golfer a 2-round total of 133 (-9), good for a six stroke lead over Riley Rennell, and making the division a battle for second place heading into day three.
On Sunday, Magliaccio had more than enough cushion to carve a steady round of 73 under windy conditions that helped her keep her comfortable advantage throughout the day.
“I came here this week feeling so good about my game,” Migliaccio noted outside the scorer’s tent after signing her winning card and getting plenty of hugs from her fellow competitors.
“Today, I just focused on playing steady golf. Honestly, I struggled a little today. But, I didn’t focus on what anybody else was shooting. That doesn’t help at all. Just play my game and concentrate on my shots.”
The back-to-back wins puts Migliaccio in some pretty lofty company, joining the likes of current LPGA pros Moriya Jutanugarn (2011-2012) and Paula Creamer (2002-2003) as repeat SRM winners. Isabelle Lendl (2006-2007), Aree Song Wongluekiet (2000-2001), Cimmie Shehan (96-97) and, under an earlier division format, Floyd’s Susan Slaughter (86-87) and Roanoke’s Vickie Linkous (84-85) are also former SRM back-to-back girls winners.
“It’s a real honor to repeat and join those players,” the winner noted. “And, I get my second tree, which is an amazing tradition here.”
Magliaccio acknowledge she will be gunning for unchartered territory in 2017.
“I’m only 17, so I’ve got another year to play in this tournament.”
Will she be back?
“Oh, yea, I’ll definitely be planning to be back next year,” Migliaccio said with a huge grin, “I love this course.”
In the boys 15-18, Sen “Tommy” Cao parlayed a steady final round 72 (+1) to win the division by a comfortable 6 shots over a trio that included Abingdon’s Andrew Spiegler, and hard-charging Jonathan Brightwell and Pone Pyae Chan Han, both of whom started the day 11 shots back.
Last year’s 15-18 boys champ Austin Eckroat, an Oklahoma State signee, finished tied for 8th in his bid to repeat. Salem’s Elliott Gardner finished 60th (228) after a final round 78.
Dawson Ovard was the epitome of consistency, firing three straight 71s to win the boys 14-and-under division by three shots. Vinton’s Bryce Corkery finished 9th after a final round 72 and Hardy’s Slade Aliff captured 23rd in the division.
In the girls 14-and-under division, Siyan Chen posted a final round 78 (229) good for a four-shot victory.
Bill Turner
