Armstrong Advances in Western National Junior Championship at Flossmoor CC

Flossmoor went 1-for-2 in championship flight match play Wednesday at the Western National Junior Championship, being held at Flossmoor Country Club.

Ashley Armstrong of Flossmoor defeated Abbey Carlson of Lake Mary, Fla., 3 and 2, but Michelle Mayer lost to the top seed in the tournament, Jordan Lippetz of Bradenton, Fla., 4 and 2.

“I played pretty consistently,” Armstrong said. “I depended a little too much on her making mistakes, though. I wish I would have come out more aggressive and started making birdies.”

Armstrong scored 150 for 36 holes of play during Monday and Tuesday’s qualifying rounds, good enough for a tie for second place behind Jordan Lippetz of Bradenton, Fla., who carded a 146.

“The first day, I didn’t hit many greens,” Armstrong noted, contributing to a five-over-par 77. “But the second day, I was making more putts and was just overall pretty consistent -- didn’t get myself into trouble -- and that’s what you’ve got to do on this course.”

Her one-over-par 73 on the second day of qualifying tied her for the best score of the day with Lippetz, Katie Sharp of Kendallville, Ind., and Maggie Neece of Colleyville, Texas.

Armstrong, who placed third in the Class AA state high school tournament last fall, said she was excited to learn that the 85th Western National Junior Championship would be played on her home course this year, but …

“It’s always hard playing on your home course because everyone’s like, ‘Oh, home field advantage’ or whatever,” she said. “You’ve still got to play well. I’ve still got to bring my game.”

While knowledge of a course’s intricacies can be helpful to a golfer, it’s of little value if the golfer fails to execute.

“It’s nice to know where to hit it, but if you don’t hit it there, it doesn’t do any good,” Armstrong elaborated.

“As a member and playing here all the time, I think a lot of people expected Ashley and I to play really well since it’s our home course,” agreed Mayer. “I expect that out of myself, too, but there’s a really big field. It’s a strong field, too.”

Top players love course

The 96 girls competing in the tournament come from across the United States and four foreign countries. Manuela Carbajo Re of Argentina had the lowest round in qualifying play, a one-under-par 71 Monday.

“I love this golf course,” Carbajo Re said. “The greens here are great. They are also challenging and very fast, but very fair.”

“These greens here are tough,” agreed Lippetz. “Making two putts is an accomplishment. That was my main goal through the past two days, just playing as consistent as I can against this tough golf course.”

Lippetz took a quick early lead in her match against Mayer, but said she wasn’t taking anything for granted.

“I know Michelle’s a great player,” Lippetz said. “I knew it didn’t matter who I was competing against. Anything can happen in match play. I know that from experience.”

Mayer, who placed 10th in the state tournament to help Homewood-Flossmoor to a second-place team finish, battled well after the rough start. The match was not decided until the 16th hole, when Mayer’s tee shot wound up in the right bunker and she didn’t get all of the ensuing chip shot.

“I probably hung in there longer than she expected,” Mayer said. “I was down the whole time and I didn’t seem to catch a break today.”

Mayer said she would win a hole, then catch a bad break on the next hole that would set her back again. An example came on the par-3 13th hole, when Mayer missed a short putt for par that would have cut her deficit to two holes.

“It was tough,” she said. “She’s a good competitor and it was fun playing with her.”

Mayer will play another tough opponent Thursday morning in consolation play when she squares off against Molly Ward of Indianapolis.

Armstrong will take on Harley Dubsky of Valparaiso, Ind. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals Thursday afternoon.

The championship flight semifinals and finals are scheduled for Friday.

Two other Flossmoor golfers also are competing in the tournament: Lauren Dawson and Ryann Gilley both lost their first matches in the third flight and will compete in the consolation bracket Thursday.

This is the 85th National Junior Championship conducted by the Women’s Western Golf Association.