Sophia Israel caps off the Front 9 with a par at Golden Oaks in the PIAA regional tournament.
It was a wild rollercoaster ride Monday for Saucon Valley senior Sophia Israel. She started cold, but warmed up to red hot only to finish cold again. Perhaps it was the extra half-hour wait before the start? Perhaps it was that she had to start with the most difficult portion of the course? Maybe, but Israel made no excuses.
Sophia Israel on the Golden Oaks practice range prior to the PIAA Regional Tournament.
Starting off on the difficult 14th hole at Golden Oaks Golf Club in Fleetwood, Berks County in the PIAA Regional tournament with a bogey, Israel’s troubles continued as she couldn’t quite find her scoring groove for the remainder of the Back-9. After the first five holes she was eight over par, on her third shot on the par-5, 18th hole Israel even found the water for a 2-stroke penalty.
Sopia Israel teeing it up on the 14th hole at Golden Oaks in the PIAA Regional tournament.
Sophia kept battling and finally did hit her stride when she crossed over to the Front 9. On the next six holes, a determined Israel courageously fought back and shot even par with birdies on the 2nd and 4th holes.
The 4th hole was very good to Sophia Israel in the PIAA Regional tournament.
But it was on the par-4, 1st hole where her rally started. She saved her par hitting the pin from a sand-trap 20 yards away. She tapped in for the save and marched to the 2nd hole where she split the fairway with her best drive of the day. From 135 yards out and in the middle of the fairway Israel was able to find the middle of the green, leaving herself a 10-foot putt that she sank for birdie. Israel also birdied the 138 yard, par-3 4th hole with a 30-foot putt. Sophia successfully battled back shooting a very respectable 40 on the front 9.
On the par-4 10th hole Israel continued her charge. Riding her own momentum she claimed another birdie thanks to the sinking of a slippery 30-foot downhill putt.
Just as it seemed the Saucon senior was catching fire, Israel stumbled and limped down the final stretch going 6 over par for her last three holes. Sophia tried to battle and recapture that elusive swing, but it wasn’t meant to be on this day.
Always the optimist however, this classy lassie acknowledged her struggles with a little smile and a humble shrug. She congratulated her competitors with genuine kindness and wished them well. Israel finished with an 89; just two strokes shy of the 87 that would have sent her to Hershey for the PIAA State Tournament.
We are SO Saucon Proud of Sophia Israel!
2016 District XI Champion Sophia Israel with her Mom and Dad.
2016 Colonial League Champion Sophia Israel.
