July 31, 2010
CRANSTON, RI-- CAA Rookie of the Year Samantha Morrellcaptured the Ocean State Women's Golf Association Amateur Championship at Cranston Country Club.
It was a rematch of 2009's high school state golf finals.Morrell won that match-up and was able to win again here capping off a great summer that included her winning the New England Women's Amateur in Vermont, the first Rhode Islander to win the title since Anna Grzebien in 2006.
Buoyed by an eagle-3 on the eighth hole, Samantha Morrell was able to shake off a second shot into the water on the 14th hole and hang on for a 1-up victory over Juliet Vongphoumy in the Ocean State Women's Golf Association championship match Friday at Cranston Country Club.
Morrell, a sophomore at Old Dominion University, finished with an even-par 72, and Vongphoumy, a senior at La Salle Academy, shot a one-over 73.
"This is my last event before I go back to school. It's nice to go back with a little success," the champion said after accepting congratulations from the gallery of about two dozen and hugs from her family.
Vongphoumy just missed birdie putts on the last two holes, and left a long chip shot from the right rough a foot short on the 16th hole of the match.
"I was even surprised I made it to the last hole. I was fighting the left side and leaving everything short," Vongphoumy said.
The two Buttonhole products tied for the medal with 3-under 69s on Tuesday and were close all the way on Friday. Starting on the 10th tee, Vongphoumy took the lead with a birdie on the par-5 13th. She gave it back with a bogey on the par-4 14th. Morrell jumped in front with her eagle on the par-5 17th, which plays 415 yards from the red tees. She lost her second shot in the glare of the sun and thought she was on the fringe or in the right rough. When she reached the green, she saw that the ball had rolled down toward the hole. She sank the 15-footer. Vongphoumy made par.
"It definitely gave me a little boost, a little confidence," Morrell said.
After the turn, Vongphoumy bogeyed 343-yard No. 2. Morrell made par and went 2-up.
Vongphoumy got a break on No. 5, a par 4, when Morrell's second shot bounced once into an algae-covered pond. Vongphoumy made par and cut the deficit to one hole.
Morrell bounced right back, cutting her drive to within inches of trees lining the right side of the sixth fairway and landing her ball 50 yards farther than Vongphoumy's fine tee shot. Each made par.
"I didn't lose it mentally. I had a cushion. It didn't cost me too much. The ball was in a little divot. ... After that I just laughed at the ball going into the water. It happens. The water is there for people to hit into it," she said.
"When I saw her ball roll in, I said this is my chance to pick up the pace," Vongphoumy said.
She made par on the last four holes, but Morrell made par, as well, and walked off a champion.
"I know she has a great short game and makes a lot of putts; a lot of putts for par. I had to match that," Morrell said.
In other action, Robyn English defeated Ali Prozak, 1-up, in the First Division. Katie Rockwell edged Angelica Muscatelli on the 20th hole in the Second Division. Barbara Sitter beat Ann Marie Roberti, 5 and 3, in the Third Division.
By Mike Szostak of the Journal Sports, July 31, 2010mszostak@projo.comhttp://www.projo.com/golf/content/szostak_oswga_morrell_vongphoumy_07-31-10_RHJ_v2.1857ef3.html