2019 Yearbook.indd

26 | IOWA JUNIOR GIRLS’ AMATEUR T wo straight days of steady golf paid off for Annika Patton of Aurelia. The incoming freshman at the University of Northern Iowa shot 76-79 (+15) to successfully defend her title at the 2019 Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur in the 16-18 Division. Her closest competitor was Allison Nuss, of New Hampton, who shot 86-82 (+28). “I thought the course was in excellent shape with the opportunity to shoot low scores while also being challenged in all aspects of my game,” Patton said. “Overall, I was pleased with how I played despite letting a few strokes get away here and there. Patton credited her ability to get the ball of the tee as one of the keys to her victory. “I drove it well off the tee which allowed me to go for the greens, however, some of my putts didn’t seem to drop. All in all, the rounds I was able to put together and experienced gained turned out for a great win. I also want to thank the IGA for such a well-ran tournament”. Patton became just the seventh girl in Iowa history to have successfully defended her Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur title. She was the first to do so since Jessie Sindlinger, of Charles City, in 2010-2011. In the 14-15 Division, Newton’s Rylee Heryford came INDIANOLA COUNTRY CLUB, INDIANOLA JUNE 17-18, 2019 Patton wins 2019 Iowa Junior Gi rls’ Amateur by 13 Annika Patton ran away from the field to win back-to-back Iowa Junior Girls' Amateur titles