Jones Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win Girls 15-18 Division

THE WOODLANDS- Hailey Jones, 15, of Dallas went wire-to-wire to win the Girls 15-18 division in the 2016 Texas State Junior Championship Presented by Merrill Lynch on a rain-soaked day at the Woodlands Resort. This is now the second consecutive year Jones has won this prestigious title.

Jones’ first two rounds on the Panther Trail Course were nearly perfect. She had 11 birdies and only one double bogey heading into the final round. She not only led the field, she dominated it with a six shot lead to begin her day. However, the forecasted storms did not disappoint and play was forced to be suspended not once but twice making Hailey’s final round score of a 1-over 73 very honorable.

 “The round was okay. I didn’t play as well as I did yesterday,” Jones said. “I had a bunch of par saves that I really needed but I hit my irons really well again. Struggled a little bit but got it in so it’s okay.”

She had four birdies mixed with five bogeys to give her that 1-over 73. It was an up-and-down round for her on a very up-and-down day of intense rain and dark clouds. The first suspension came at 10:30 a.m. and lasted until 12:08 p.m. Even when the players made their way out after that first delay, it was very evident that there would be another delay as more storms loomed in the distance. The second delay came at 1:30 p.m. and went until 3:10 p.m. Although there were no other suspensions, thunder rolled in the background and somehow did not deter Jones in the slightest. She said even with the unpredictability of the weather she was able to stay relaxed. A trait of a developing champion.   

“During the delays I didn’t really think about anything I just played games on my phone and just kind of chilled,” Jones said with a laugh.

Jones finished with style holding a five shot lead over runner-up Kennedy Pedigo of Fort Worth. Pedigo was 1-under for the day and 3-under for the tournament. Pedigo’s sister, Rylee Pedigo an Oklahoma Univeristy junior, is currently the top seed at the WTGA State Amateur Championship at Brook Hollow GC making it a hectic yet exciting time for the Pedigo family.  

In third was Christine Wang of Houston who was 2-under for the tournament and behind her was a tie for fourth Valerie Patino of Katy and Sadie Englemann of Austin were both 1-over.

The Legends Junior Tour would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers of the Woodlands Resort. It was the first time the Texas State Junior Championship was played at this venue and despite the rain the tournament was a great success.  

For more information about the Girls 15-18 division, click here.

For more information about the Boys 15-18 division, click here.