Alaina Carson Finishes Strong to Earn PA Junior Girl?s Title

Scores

LEBANON, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Golf Association (PAGA) 62^nd Junior Girls’ Championship, shortened to 36 holes due to excessive heat and a heat index well into the 110’s, concluded on Tuesday afternoon at Lebanon Country Club with an exciting finish late in the second and final round. Alaina Carson (GAP Youth on Course), a rising sophomore at Cardinal O’Hara High School, sank birdie putts on holes 15 and 16 to create a cushion and claim medalist honors by two strokes.

With the victory, Carson earns an exemption to compete in the upcoming 2025 USGA Girls’ Junior Championship, played July 14-19 at Atlantic Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga.

“It feels kind of unreal, it’s just amazing,” said Carson. “The success late in the round felt great but I wasn’t even looking at the scoreboard. I knew I was up there, but didn’t know if I was in first or even second.”

Carson trailed then-leader Hannah Rabb (Susquehanna Country Club) by a stroke heading into the 15^th hole but came through with the pressure on: carding a birdie on 15 and then sinking a putt on 16 for another to take the lead for good. Her second-round score of a three-under 69 was the lowest of the week.

“I knew on 16 that I was definitely close to the top and knew there were about five girls that could win it,” recalled Carson. “So I was aware my birdie putt there was very important, especially if I would happen to make a mistake on 17 or 18. Compared to yesterday I felt like I cleaned up the parts of my game that were off but I felt like I was pretty consistent.”

The closest challenger to Carson ended up being Madison Koshko (Centre Hills Country Club), who made a fantastic charge late in the round to finish in second place. After a double on hole No. 11 and a bogey on 12, she birdied four of the next six holes (13, 16, 17, 18) to get to one-under for the tournament.

No other players were under par, but a pair finished tied for third at even-par: Cora Hirz (Lake Shore Country Club) and Rabb (Susquehanna Country Club), who has now finished in the top three of the event the past four years. The top six was rounded out by first round leader Alexandra Engart (RiverCrest GC & Preserve) and Kate Roberts (PAGA Individual Member), who ended tied for fifth at one-over.

The Pennsylvania Golf Association would like to thank the staff and membership of Lebanon Country Club for the hospitality shown during this week’s Championship. Additional thanks go to DICK’S Sporting Goods for sponsorship of the event as the title sponsor of the PAGA.