Incoming Freshman Golfer Jennifer Kirby Continues Impressive Play
8/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Aug. 11, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama incoming freshman golfer Jennifer Kirby continued her scorching play on the Canadian amateur circuit with her second consecutive national victory at the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship on the par-73 Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, New Brunswick Canada.
Kirby shot three rounds under par and finished with a two-under-par 290 to win the 72-hole tournament by one stroke over her Team Canada teammate Anne-Catherine Tanguay.
"Winning today feels amazing," Kirby said. "I never thought about winning both Royale Cup championships, but it feels really good. It's good momentum for the rest of the season and a good way to start my college season."
Much like her last win at the Royale Cup Canadian Women's Amateur Championship, Kirby needed to come from behind in the final round to claim the title. Kirby trailed Tanguay by three strokes entering the fourth round, and after a shaky start with a double-bogey on the second hole, she settled down with birdies on four and five before sealing her victory with a birdie on the par-3 three 17th hole.
"It's kind of hard to believe that I won today," she said. "I was behind the whole day, but I stuck in there and eventually things went my way. It was tough but I tried not to think about what else was going on around me."
Kirby is the first golfer in the six-year history of the Royale Cup to win both amateur events. In total, the Paris, Ontario native has won six events this season including the CN Future Links Pacific Championship, the Toronto Star Amateur, the Ontario Amateur Championship, and the Ontario Junior Championship.
"I think it is safe to say that Jennifer has had one of the best summers of any Canadian junior amateur in recent memory," Alabama head coach Mic Potter said. "I knew the first time I watched her hit a golf ball that I wanted her to play for our team, but I can't say that I thought she would be this good, this early. Jennifer is a gifted golfer and we are excited to have her join us this fall."
Kirby will tee off again at the CN Canadian Women's Open held Aug. 31-Sept. at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Priddis, Alberta, before joining the Crimson Tide for the fall season.
Players Mentioned
