Rochester wins another UPLGA title
HYDE – She may be just 18-years-old, but Avery Rochester has firmly established herself as one of the top golfers in the Upper Peninsula. Rochester won the Upper Peninsula Ladies Golf Association tournament on Tuesday for a third consecutive year (2012-2014). Sydney Wells of Menominee was the last woman to win three straight UPLGA tournament titles (2008-10).
Rochester (Wawonowin C.C.) defeated Zoe Woodworth (Calumet) in the final round, 3 & 2. Both players battled soaring temperatures in the mid 80’s and 20+ mph winds throughout the match.
Two holes into the match, Rochester was two up. Woodworth would save par on the fourth hole to cut Rochester’s lead in half. Avery took a two-hole lead to the back nine, where she closed out the match on the par-3 16th hole.
Rochester and Woodworth both won their semifinal matches earlier in the day by the same score. Rochester, who was the No. 1 seed, defeated Lori Shea (Gladstone). Woodworth edged JoAnn Poncino (Pine Grove C.C.) in the other semifinal matchup. The Highland Golf Club was the host of this year’s UPLGA tournament.
Rochester will play in one more tournament here in Michigan before she heads back to Columbia College (Mo.) for her sophomore season. She will participate in the Michigan Amateur in Ann Arbor, Aug. 11-13.