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Maria Connelly is looking forward to attending
Eastern Michigan University this fall, but before
beginning her collegiate career, she picked up
a trophy for winning the
Ohio Junior Girls
Championship
in July. She posted scores of 72-
73 at Marion Country Club to win by four shots
over Ashley Knight from Sylvania and Sammi
Blackburn from Monroe, Ohio.
Maria said of her win,
“This was the third year I had competed in this
event and I really like the golf course. My short
game was very good the first day, but on the
second day my long game came around and
helped me to score well.”
Maria was home schooled, but played on
the Anthony Wayne High School Girls golf
team and participated in Toledo Junior Golf
Association (TJGA) events. In 2014, she earned
the TJGA Girl’s Player of the Year award, but
was only able to compete in three TJGA events
last year. She still managed two wins.
Another Toledo-area native, from Sylvania,
Pinya Pipatjarasgit finished runner-up in the
14-15 age group at the Ohio Junior Girls
Championship.
Maria has been competing in several Optimist
events, the Hudson Junior Championship and
AJGA tournaments this summer. In a qualifier
at Springbrook Golf Club in Lima, she earned
a trip to Rhode Island to play in the PGA Junior
Championship.
She visited twoother colleges, but found Eastern
Michigan to her liking and has committed to
play for the Eagles.
Maria said,
“I loved the coach, the school and am excited
about competing in the Mid-American
Conference. I am looking forward to the
challenge of collegiate golf as well as attending
Eastern Michigan.”
Maria has been playing golf since she was very
young, but did not begin playing competitively
Waterville’s
Maria Connelly Wins
Ohio Junior Girls
Championship
I loved the coach, the school and am excited about
competing in the Mid-American Conference. I am looking
forward to the challenge of collegiate golf as well as
attending Eastern Michigan.”
By
Fred Altvater
NWO Golf Links