July 20, 2020
Before Saturday, Amari Avery was perhaps best known for her role in the 2013 documentary, “The Short Game.” Now, the 15-year-old Avery is a state champion. After a long week at Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel Valley, Calif., Avery is the new California Women’s Amateur champion.
The title is arguably Avery’s biggest yet. To win it, she had to get past Aman Sangha of San Mateo. She did that by a 3-and-2 margin, and now joins an illustrious of champions including Juli Inkster (1981), Patty Sheehan (1977-’78) and Amy Alcott (1973).
“It feels great,” said Avery, who hadn’t tasted victory in over a year. “It means a lot to win something that so many great players have won.”
Avery, who’s home schooled and got into golf via her father, Andre, trailed by one when Sangha, the No.24 seed, beat her with a par on the par-3 12th.
After that, however, it was all Avery. She’d first get going on the par-4 13th by draining a 30-footer for birdie to again tie things up.
RELATED: Amari Avery holding on at U.S. Women’s Amateur
On the ensuing par-5 14th, Avery used her length (she averages 270 off the tee) to easily reach the green in two and set herself up for a near tap-in birdie. Sangha, meanwhile, would have to settle for par.
A hole later on the par-5 15th, Avery again bombed a drive. She’d again reach the green in two, setting herself up for another easy birdie. This time, Sangha had a chance to counter, as she’d leave a beautiful 80-yard wedge shot just a few feet from the flagstick. Sangha’s putt to tie the hole lipped out, however, upping Avery’s lead to 2-up.
“I really thought I had that putt,” said the 21-year-old Sangha, a collegiate player who’s looking to transfer to CSU-Northridge where her sister, Kiran, plays. “It just lipped out.”
Read more at AmateurGolf.com
