Hays junior Lindsey McCurdy (center) holds up some of the impressive hardware she won for her victory at the Premier Junior Tour Major Championship in Reunion, Florida, July 3-4. McCurdy will next play in the Texas Girls State Junior Championship at Horseshoe Bay July 26-28. (Courtesy photo)
by JASON GORDON
Hays High School junior Lindsey McCurdy is having an eventful summer filled with golfing success.
McCurdy, who finished in the top-5 at the UIL State Class 4A Golf Tournament at Austin’s Jimmy Clay Golf Course in April, recently competed in the Premier Junior Tour Major Championship in Reunion, Florida, July 3-4.
Play was conducted on the immaculate Arnold Palmer Legacy Course.
Despite the recent heat wave, the course was in great shape, with the greens rolling fast and proving to be a challenge to the competitors.
Warm weather conditions were present both days of competition despite the early morning starts, with temperatures climbing into the 90s as the day went on.
Despite competing against girls three years older than her in the 14-19 age group, McCurdy led the strong field after day one, carding a 2-over par 74.
On day two, McCurdy carded a 4-over 76 to capture the tournament title by a single stroke.
McCurdy earned a Premier Junior Tour trophy, an invitation to the Tour Championship in Florida, a UIFL football and a pair of Kikor golf shoes for her victory.
“It was definitely exciting,” McCurdy said. “The competition was tough and it was very rewarding to finish in first place against such an elite field.”
In addition, McCurdy finished second at the Elbit Systems of America Junior Golf Association tournament in late June at Hidden Creek Golf Course in Fort Worth after rounds of 77, 74 and 72 in the three-day event.
The high finish gave McCurdy a one-year exemption in all America Junior Golf Association tournaments nationwide.
McCurdy also finished fifth this summer at the Texas Junior Masters at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio.
McCurdy will next play in the Texas Girls State Junior Championship at Horseshoe Bay July 26-28.
“Nothing Lindsey does on the golf course surprises me,” said Hays golf coach Erica Walther. “Winning a major junior tournament on a national level is a great accomplishment. She has an awesome future ahead of her.”
