Former ASGA Junior Amateur Champions had a strong showing at the Pebble Beach Golf Links with one winning the low medalist honors.
By: P.J. Boatwright Jr. Marketing/Communications Intern Justin Jones
The collegiate season is here, with several schools starting their 2024 season at the historic Pebble Beach Golf Links in the Carmel Cup.
Some teams included the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma State. Vanderbilt finished on top of the team leaderboard shooting a combined 21-over-par for the event. For ASGA members, several familiar faces were competing including two former ASGA junior amateur champions Grace Kilcrease and Anna Kate Nichols.
Kilcrease put together three incredible rounds to win the low medalist honors. This is her first event after transferring from Tulsa to Oklahoma State. She shot a 7-under-par total and did not have a single round over par for the entire event. This is her first tournament with her new team and she made note of that after her win.
"We’ve been through a lot so it’s really cool," said Kilcrease. "I never thought I could be in this moment but lots of hard work and determination made this possible, and thank you to my teammates, I’ve only been here for, like, a week and a half, but you guys are awesome and I can’t wait to compete and practice with you all and be with you all the rest of the year. I’m looking forward to it."
Another ASGA golfer in the field was Anna Kate Nichols, the reigning ASGA Junior Match Play and Junior Amateur champion. She was competing in her first collegiate tournament for the University of Arkansas. She helped her team finish second on the leaderboard and, individually, she finished tied for No. 12. Her first round kept her in contention as she shot even par, but a 7-over-par day two held her back. She was able to bounce back, shooting 1-under-par on the final day.
Congratulations to Grace Kilcrease on her win!
We are excited to see how the rest of the season plays out, not just for Grace, but for all of our former ASGA golfers as their collegiate seasons are now underway!