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17-Year-Old Soifua Is Victorious at Utah Women’s Stroke Play Championship
By Megan Terry
Naomi Soifua captured the 2016 Women’s Stroke Play Championship at Bountiful Ridge Golf Course with a two-round total of five-under-par 139. The 17-year-old gained an early lead by four strokes over 2015 Utah Women’s Stroke Play champion Sirene Blair. Blair posted a final-round 66, eleven strokes better than her first-round score.
“I am not happy with how I played at the IMG Junior World Championships last week, so I really wanted to redeem myself this week,” explained Soifua. “I focused on having a positive attitude and staying in the correct mindset to help boost my self-confidence.”
The Provo High School soon-to-be senior secured her victory by shooting even-par 72 during the final round with 34 on the front nine and 38 on the back.
“I started the day with a birdie on No. 2 and barely missed my birdie putt on the third hole. My dad and high school golf coach were great caddies and confirmed my decisions when I started second guessing myself. Today showed me that I am capable of shooting low scores and motivated me to keep practicing and improving so I can win more tournaments.”
UVU Women’s Golf Coach Sue Nyhus was Low Senior at 155 (+11). She posted 77 during the first round and carded a final-round score of 78 to claim the title. Fellow Wolverine Monica Yeates was Flight 1’s Net winner at 73-72—145.
Cristiana Ciasca won Flight 2 Gross with an 80 after Round 1 and a 77 Round 2, totaling thirteen-over-par 157. Ciasca, a 16-year-old Corner Canyon High School golfer, defeated second-place finisher Carissa Graft by two strokes to earn first place and walk away with the Flight 2 title. Weber State Wildcats student-athlete Bayleigh Woodland clinched the Flight 2 Net win at six-over-par 150 with 76 on Wednesday and 74 on Thursday.
In Flight 3, 17-year-old Sydnee Guymon topped the leaderboard with a two-day total of 170. The Emery High athlete shot 87 during Round 1 and carded a final-round 83 to win Flight 3 Gross by fourteen strokes over Elaine Daines. Sally Milbank posted 71-73—144 to win Flight 3 Net by one stroke over Sherry Thompson’s 71-74—145.
CLICK HERE to view complete GROSS results.
CLICK HERE to view complete NET results.