Southern Pines, NC – The First event of the 2011 PKB Season at Pine Needles Lodge and Resort for the PKB Pine Needles Classic presented by rocketTour Golf was an epic competition !
The fast greens of the Needles and tough Sunday pins tested all of the players, but it was Victoria Allred of Pfafftown, NC that grinded her way to victory after fending off Maryland state high school champion Elyse Smidinger of Crofton, MD in a three hole playoff.
After carding 72’s in round one, Allred and Smidinger faced a Sunday showdown at Pine Needles and it was evident that neither player was ready to lose. The two went head to head taking 22 holes to finally crown a champion as Allred hit a sensational chip shot to one foot on the final playoff hole while Smidinger failed to convert from the green side bunker.
The win marked Allred’s first two – day PKB event victory of her career, but with little doubt it will not likely be her last.
Standing at just under five feet tall, Allred is quick to laugh at any “short people” jokes, but like most who are vertically challenged, she makes up for it with her persistence and work ethic.
The champ stated after the round, “I sure did not hit it perfect today, but I found a way to will myself into a win. It would have been easy for me to get frustrated with my ball striking, but I kept focusing on hitting great chips and knocking the ball in the hole on the greens. It was an amazing experience to be able to pull off this first victory at Mrs. Bell’s home and I loved that she was watching us in the playoff.”
Allred’s victory was a sizeable feat considering the strength of field this week as over 45 girls competed in her division including 2010 PKB Order of Merit Champion, Katie Kirk of Davidson, NC, Virginia High school state champion, Lyberty Anderson of Chesterfield, VA, and Maryland high school state champion and runner – up this week, Elyse Smidinger of Croffton, MD. In fact, at one point in time during the final round, more than seven players were within two shots of the lead headed into the final few holes.
The event included a playoff in the Futures Division as well between Elizabeth Chang of and Haeley Wotnosky of Holly Springs, NC. The two went head to head after posting 36 hole totals of 165. The four hole playoff finally ended when Chang converted a great par save on Pine Needles 18th hole.
Last but not least the second hole in one was recorded by PKB tour newcomer Isabella Tapia on the 3rd hole of Pine Needles. What was her club selection on the 110 yard par 3? Driver! That’s accuracy!
All in all, the 58 player field included players from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri adding two more states furthering its PKB arms of opportunity.
The tours next event will be February, 19 & 20th at Patriots Point Golf Links for the Patriots Point Classic in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. For more information on the event visit us online at PKBGT.ORG.
Click Here for Tournament Results
Check out Victoria’s Post Round Interview:
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