Despite soggy conditions at Swope Memorial Golf Course, the 2016 Girls Match Play lived up to its potential through the semifinal matches Saturday afternoon.
However, before the match play matches could get underway, 11 teed it up for seven openings into the match play tournament. Awaiting those seven qualifiers was No. 1 seed and two-time Match Play champion Taylor Black.
Friday saw three girls, India Gaume, Megan Propeck and Julia Misemer earn their ways into Saturday’s matches with even-par, 36 9-hole rounds.
Following the three qualifier leaders was Skylar Brunk, Teagan Noblit, Samantha Paulak and Jessica Parker who all earned opportunities to challenge defending champion Black for the 2016 Match Play crown.
Saturday showcased two completely different set of conditions facing the junior golfers. Early showers and blustery conditions tested the four sets of quarterfinal matches, including a near wire-to-wire showdown between No. 1 seed Black and No. 8 seed Paulak. However, Black eventually downed Paulak 2 and 1, securing a semifinal berth for Black.
Propeck punched her semifinal ticket by defeating Brunk 5 and 3, while Misemer eliminated Parker 4 and 2.
Noblit pulled off the upset of the day by defeating former Kansas City Junior champion Gaume 3 and 2.
The afternoon tilt of matches displayed two varying outcomes.
Misemer defeated Noblit 7 and 6, while Black sweated out a 1 up victory over Propeck, despite trailing by two holes throughout a stretch of the semifinal match up.
The final match featured defending and No. 1 overall seed Black against Misemer.
Misemer had Black on the ropes at 1 up through six holes before Black battled back and went 1 up after 10 holes. From there on, Black extended her lead to 3 up through 15 holes before finally closing out her tournament victory 4 & 2 on No. 16.
Black captured her third overall and consecutive Girls Match Play Championship.
To view the full results from the Match Play, click here.