EUSTIS, Fla. — South Alabama golfer Kaeli Jones won a three-day Suncoast Ladies Tour event at Black Bear Golf Club, finishing at 3-under-par 213 to become the first champion and low amateur on the Suncoast Ladies Tour.
Opening Round 73
Jones opened Monday with a 1-over-par 73. She played her final six holes at 3 under, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 16th and a birdie on the par-4 17th.
Career-Low-Tying 69
On Tuesday, Jones shot a 3-under 69 to tie her career low. She went out in 1 under on the front nine and added a bogey-free 2-under back nine.
Closing 71 Secures the Title
Jones began Wednesday’s final round in the lead and shot a 1-under 71, a round that included birdies on four of five holes on the front nine.
A double bogey on the par-4 18th, her final hole, left her unsure where she stood on the leaderboard. When she reached the clubhouse, her mother told her she had won.
Over the three rounds, Jones made 11 birdies. She played the par 5s at 5 under and the par 3s at 2 under for the tournament.
Next: U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifying
Jones will next play in a U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier on July 8 at Kenwood Golf Club in Bethesda, Md. A score of par or better is needed to qualify for the 115th U.S. Women’s Amateur, scheduled for Aug. 10-16 at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore.
About Jones
Jones, a 5-foot-5 native of Sumterville, Fla., recently completed her freshman season at South Alabama, where she was part of the Jaguars’ lineup at the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Before arriving in Mobile, she lettered at IMG Academy and recorded four top-five finishes in 2014.
