Hailey Schalk ended her American Junior Golf Association career with a win on Thursday.
The future University of Colorado freshman who reports to college on Friday needed a par on her final hole to win the AJGA Southpointe Tournament presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
It was her second career win on the AJGA tournament circuit and first since 2017. She also has eight top 10 finishes.
Schalk entered the final round with a four-shot lead, but she gave away a few strokes while allowing Tiffany Cao of Midlothian, Texas, and Elina Sinz of Katy, Texas, to pull even with her.
“I didn’t play as well as the first two rounds,” said Schalk, a three-time Colorado high school state champion. “But I was able to pull it out.”
Schalk shot a 5-over 77 at Southpointe Golf Club during the final round and finished with a 6-over 222. Cao and Sinz finished with a 7-over 223.
The Erie, Colo., native could have been the first high school golfer, boy or girl, to win four states titles. But Colorado’s high school golf season is in the spring and the covid-19 pandemic canceled the season.
“I played really well the first day,” Schalk said. “I grinded out a good round on Day 2, but today I didn’t do as well. I struggled a little bit and my opponents played well. They kept me focused.
“I’m happy that I got the win at my final AJGA event. That’s something super special. I remember my first AJGA win. I was super excited. It’s good to get another right before college, so I can get my confidence back.”
Schalk said the Southpointe course was a lot tougher than the Air Force Academy course, which is considered one of the most difficult courses in Colorado.
“All the hills here lean to the left, which helps my draw,” Schalk said. “But there is trouble everywhere here and the greens are pretty hard.”
The best finish of Western Pa. players was Tara Loughran of Pittsburgh, who tied for 15th and Caroline McConnell of South Fayette, who tied for 17th.
The boys division winner, Carsten Judge of Columbus, Ohio, was also able to hang on for the win. It wasn’t as dramatic as Schalk’s win. All he needed to do was stay away from trouble on the final two holes.
Judge shot a 3-over 75 during the final round and finished with a 7-over 223. It was his first AJGA victory.
Ali Khan of Westerville, Ohio, was second with a 9-over 225 and David Wong of Porter Ranch, Calif., who shot a 10-over 226, was third.
Canonsburg native and Pittsburgh Central Catholic sophomore-to-be Rocco Salvitti tied for fourth at 11-over 227. Salvitti also had the best round of the day, a 1-over par 73.
Murrysville’s Michael Wareham ended up tied for 12th at 18-over.
“I feel really good about winning my first tournament,” Judge said. “I felt nervous coming down the stretch. I was trying not to look at the leaderboard, but when I looked, I saw I had a two-shot lead.
“I feel like a lot of hard work paid off. The key for me was hitting the ball straight and getting up and down when I needed to. If you hit it offline here, you’re in trouble. I kept the ball in play and I scrambled well.”
Salvitti said he played well the entire round except for his finish. He had a double-bogey six on No. 18. It was his third Top 5 finish in an AJGA event.
“I was happy through 17 holes,” Salvitti said. “I didn’t put pressure on myself because this was my home course. I just didn’t play well enough the first two days.”
