SIMPSONVILLE, KY (July 11, 2023) – Morehead's Athena Singh claimed her second Kentucky Girls Junior Amateur title and second win of the season with her final round 2-under 70 at the University of Louisville Golf Club this afternoon. 

Her two-day total of 139 (69-70) had her victorious by four over Lexington's C.A. Carter, who fired a 73 for a total of 143. Singh never let go over her lead today, with her five birdies helping to extend her winning margin. In the two days of competition, Singh had nothing worse than a bogey and carded eleven birdies in total. Singh becomes the first winner to defend her title in back-to-back years since Lydia Gumm's victories in 2011 and 2012. Runner-up Carter, who is committed to play collegiately for the University of Kentucky, played a steady round today with two bogeys and one birdie. 

The 13-15 age division featured a shift in the leaderboard, with Mollie Neely coming out on top for the tournament. Neely's 79, the only score under 80 for the tournament in her division, and a total of 165, gave her a two-shot win over Lebanon's Samantha Abell (86-81-167). This marks Neely's first outright victory of the season. 

The 9-hole side saw less movement on the leaderboard, with both Jamison Welch keeping his lead for the 8 & under division shooting 36-41, and Elijah Erxleben claiming the 10 & under title with scores of 37-35. However, the 11-12 division saw a change, with Jackson Burrice taking the win with a 1-under 35 yesterday and 2-over 38 today. 

The girls saw Piper Dunn hold on to her lead for the 10-12 division, with her scores of 34-36 giving her a four-shot victory. The 9 & under division entered a playoff to determine a winner between Madeline Sheretz and Mia Simpkins after posting their matching totals of 87. Simpkins claimed the win after a birdie on hole 10 during their playoff. 

NOTES AND STATS 

• Across both divisions for the Girls Junior Amateur tournament, competitors posted a total of 106 birdies and 2 eagles - one on the par-4 7th and another on the par-4 11th.
• Par-5 number 13 proved the hardest hole of the tournament, with a stroke-to-par average of +1.02. 
• Number 8, a par 3, played as the easiest hole with an average score of 3.26.
• Though the front and back nines played to a similar level of difficulty, the back proved slightly tougher with a 41.65 scoring average compared to 41.24 on the front.
• The combined scoring average for the tournament was 82.89.

The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour extends its thanks to Todd Christian, General Manager, Noah Pier, Course Superintendent, and their teams at the University of Louisville Golf Club for their assistance in making this major championship happen. Appreciation is also expressed towards each player, family member and spectator who attended the event and played a role in its success.

Click here to view the Girls Junior Amateur final results
Click here to view the 9-hole Junior Amateur final results
Click here to view the photo gallery