Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, July 16, 2018
(FRENCH LICK) — Former three-time First Team All-American athlete for UCLA, Stephanie Kono (Honolulu, Hawaii), placed No. 18 at the Donald Ross Course at 11-under par overall, good enough for a one shot win.
This is her first professional victory.
"It's amazing and I still can't believe I did that," said Kono, who recorded five birdies and two bogeys this afternoon. "Such a great feeling and I'm so grateful. I was out for a while last year and just had some bad times. I've had such a good group of people around me that kept me believing. This is unreal, but I'm so thankful."
Right: Stephanie Kono
Since turning pro in 2012, Kono has battled a string of back injuries that have sidelined her for months on end. Naturally, her mind channeled some negative thoughts, but the perseverance she demonstrated would not be outdone.
"It hasn't really been easy for me since then and to be honest, I kind of doubted if this would ever happen," Kono said. "I didn't want that to be the end of my career and I didn't want that to hold me back from doing what I knew I could. This is just so rewarding for me because six months ago I was sitting down and not able to move. That was the third time that happened. I can't believe I did this six months later."
Now a first-time champion on the Symetra Tour, Kono joins Valley Forge Invitational champion Louise Ridderstrom (Stocksund, Sweden) as the second UCLA women's golf alumna to find the winner's circle in 2018.
"I was pretty nervous before I started the round, but once I started I was actually pretty strangely calm," said Kono. "I started the day believing I could do it and I kept that belief the entire round."
Coming in just behind Kono was Dottie Ardina (Laguna, Philippines) and Karen Chung (Livingston, New Jersey). The duo tied for second at 10-under par overall and earned $18,258 apiece.
With the outcome, Ardina jumps to the No. 1 position in the Volvik Race for the Card.
"Entering the day four shots out of the lead and shooting 6-under to be the clubhouse leader for a while felt great," said Ardina, who signed a bogey-free final round scorecard. "To maintain my status in the top-10, I knew I had to have a good showing this week with the purse being the biggest all season. Being No. 1 in the Volvik Race is where I wanted to be after making the decision to stay on the Symetra Tour full-time the rest of the year."
For Chung, the result is a career-best and her third top-10 finish this season.
"I'm super happy about this week because these past couple of weeks I wasn't shooting low enough scores consistently to keep my position," said Chung, who carded five birdies, three bogeys and an eagle today. "I feel like my putting is slowly coming along and even more so this week, helping me feel more comfortable going into the second half of the season. I'm super excited for the next few weeks, especially."
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.