Mathews Continues Title Defense

 

KINSTON, N.C. (June 30, 2021) -- Second round results from the 17th Dogwood State Junior Girls’ Championship at Kinston Country Club in Kinston, N.C. on June 30, 2021. The field is competing at 6,037 yards (par 36-35--71).

 

Related: Championship Web Site | Full Field | Starting Times | Scoring | History | Photos

The sun was shining, the air was still, and Emily Mathews of Mebane, N.C. continued to control the 17th Dogwood Junior Girls’ Championship, in hopes of going back-to-back in this event. 

“I’m coming out here with no expectations,” said Mathews. “I’m just trying to have fun and play some good golf. It’s of course in the back of my head, I want to defend my title. I’ve had a lot of fun these past few years playing in this tournament and to be able to defend my title would be really cool.”

Mathews followed up her first round 1-under-par, 70 with an even-par, 71 to hold a two-shot lead over Maria Atwood of Holly Springs, N.C. Mathews, a rising high school junior, started her front nine off of No. 10 strongly, birdieing holes 11 and 15. She only gave one back with a bogey on the 12th to make the turn in 1-under-par. After bogeys on the third and seventh, Mathews was able to roll in a birdie coming home, on the par-3 ninth to sit at 1-under-par, 141 overall for the championship. 

“The course sets up nice for my game,” said Mathews. “It can get tricky, there are some pretty tight fairways. Greens are fairly small but if you’re strategic with your placement on the greens and you’re hitting fairways you’re gonna be even to under par.”

Maria Atwood sits in solo second at 1-over-par, 143 overall for the championship, after a second round 1-over-par, 72. Atwood had a clean scorecard for the most part, and made the turn on her opening nine in 1-under-par after a birdie on the 17th.

Rounding out the top five after round two is Karsyn Roberts of Pikeville, N.C., who sits in solo third, Nicole Nash of Charlotte, N.C., and Katherine Brictson of Raleigh, N.C., who are both tied for fourth. Nash posted the round of the day, an impressive 1-under-par, 70 which was the lone round under par for the second round.

The Dogwood State Junior Girls’ Championship will continue with the final round at Kinston Country Club on Thursday, July 1. Stay tuned to our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for live coverage of the final round. 

Schedule of final round:

Thursday, July 1

Final Round - 18 Holes of Individual Stroke Play  

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.

The CGA annually conducts 48 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 150 One-Day (net and gross) events as well as qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed nearly $2,000,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.     

For more information about the CGA, visit our website.

 

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