U.S. GIRLS' JUNIOR

U.S. Girls' Junior Champions

By USGA

| Sep 18, 2023 | Liberty Corner, N.J.

U.S. Girls' Junior Champions

The U.S. Girls' Junior Championship was established in 1949, one year after the Junior Amateur Championship. Philadelphia (Pa.) Country Club, one of the oldest golf courses in the nation, was the host club for the USGA's newest championship, and the competition drew a starting field of 28 girls from 17 states, although 10 of the players were from the Philadelphia area.

Marlene Bauer, 15, of Los Angeles, claimed the inaugural title and she became one of a long list of Girls' Junior champions who would have success on the professional level, including Hall of Famers Mickey Wright, JoAnne Gunderson Carner, Amy Alcott and Nancy Lopez. Alcott, Carner, Inbee Park, Ariya Jutanugarn, Hollis Stacy and Wright would go on to win the U.S. Women's Open.

Kay Cornelius won the 1981 Girls' Junior and joined her mother, Kathy, the 1956 U.S. Women's Open champion, as the only mother-daughter tandem to have won a USGA championship.

In 2016, the USGA made a signifcant change to the age criteria. Starting with the 2017 championship, any female under the age of 19 will be eligible to compete in the U.S. Girls' Junior. Prior to that, competitors could not have turned 18 by the conclusion of the championship.

The USGA also announced in 2017 that the U.S. Girls' Junior champion would receive an exemption into the following year's U.S. Women's Open Championship. Erica Shepherd became the first to achieve the feat with her victory at Boone Valley Golf Club. 

U.S. Girls' Junior Champions (1949-Present)

1949: Marlene Bauer d. Barbara Bruning, 2 up; Philadelphia (Pa.) C.C. (Bala Course); All Match Play; Entries: 33

1950: Patricia A. Lesser d. Mickey Wright, 4 and 2; Wanakah C.C., Hamburg, N.Y.; Medalist — 79, Barbara Romack; Entries: 18

1951: Arlene Brooks d. Barbara McIntire, 1 up; Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Ill.; Medalist — 76, Barbara McIntire; Entries: 32

1952: Mickey Wright d. Barbara McIntire, 1 up; Monterey Peninsula C.C. (Dunes Course), Pebble Beach, Calif.; Medalists — 76, Mickey Wright, Anne Quast; Entries: 49

1953: Mildred Meyerson d. Holly Jean Roth, 4 and 2; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalists — 77, Berridge Long, Anne Richardson, Jacqueline P. Yates; Entries: 46

1954: Margaret Smith d. Sue Driscoll, 5 and 3; Gulph Mills G.C., Bridgeport, Pa.; Medalist — 75, Ruth Jessen; Entries: 64

1955: Carole Jo Kabler d. JoAnne Gunderson, 4 and 3; Florence (S.C.) C.C.; All Match Play; Entries: 72

1956: JoAnne Gunderson d. Clifford Ann Creed, 4 and 3; Heather Downs C.C., Toledo, Ohio; Medalist — *74, Mary Mills; Entries: 70

1957: Judy Eller d. Beth Stone, 20 holes; Lakewood C.C., Denver, Colo.; Medalist — 78, Patricia Ann Hahn; Entries: 52

1958: Judy Eller d. Sherry Wheeler, 1 up; Greenwich (Conn.) C.C.; Medalist — 78, Connie Robinson; Entries: 84

1959: Judy Rand d. Marcia Hamilton, 5 and 3; Manor C.C., Rockville, Md.; Medalists — 76, Diana Hoke, Andrea Schaffer; Entries: 96

1960: Carol Sorenson d. Sharon Fladoos, 2 and 1; The Oaks C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Medalists — 76, Judy Rand, Carol Sorenson; Entries: 91

1961: Mary Lowell d. Margaret Martin, 1 up; Broadmoor G.C., Seattle, Wash.; Medalists — 78, Ann Baker, Mary Lou Daniel; Entries: 69

1962: Mary Lou Daniel d. Mary Sawyer, 2 up; Country Club of Buffalo, Williamsville, N.Y.; Medalist — *74, Roberta Albers; Entries: 119

1963: Janis Ferraris d. Peggy Conley, 2 up; Wolfert’s Roost C.C., Albany, N.Y.; Medalists — *74, Janis Ferraris, Peggy Conley; Entries: 121

1964: Peggy Conley d. Laura MacIvor, 6 and 5; Leavenworth (Kan.) C.C.; Medalist — 154, Peggy Conley; Entries: 126

1965: Gail Sykes d. Mary Louise Pritchett, 5 and 4; Hiwan G.C., Evergreen, Colo.; Medalist — 148, Shelley Hamlin; Entries: 88

1966: Claudia Mayhew d. Kathleen Ahern, 3 and 2; Longue Vue Club, Verona, Pa.; Medalist — 148, Kathleen Ahern; Entries: 115

1967: Elizabeth Story d. Liana Zambresky, 5 and 4; Hacienda G.C., La Habra, Calif.; Medalist — 152, Janet Webber; Entries: 107

1968: Margaret Harmon d. Kaye Beard, 3 and 2; Flint (Mich.) G.C.; Medalist — 147, Nancy Hager; Entries: 130

1969: Hollis Stacy d. Jane Fassinger, 1 up; Brookhaven C.C. (Championship Course), Dallas, Texas; Medalist — 151, Martha Jones; Entries: 115

1970: Hollis Stacy d. Janet Aulisi, 1 up; The Apawamis Club, Rye, N.Y.; Medalist — 163, Louise Bruce; Entries: 85

1971: Hollis Stacy d. Amy Alcott, 19 holes; Augusta (Ga.) C.C.; Medalist — 152, Janet Aulisi; Entries: 105

1972: Nancy Lopez d. Catherine Morse, 1 up; Jefferson City (Mo.) C.C.; Medalist — 151, Amy Alcott; Entries: 93

1973: Amy Alcott d. Mary Lawrence, 6 and 5; Somerset Hills C.C., Bernardsville, N.J.; Medalist — 144, Nancy Lopez; Entries: 98

1974: Nancy Lopez d. Lauren Howe, 7 and 5; Columbia-Edgewater C.C., Portland, Ore.; Medalist — 151, Carolyn Hill; Entries: 102

1975: Dayna Benson d. Kyle O’Brien, 1 up; Dedham (Mass.) C. & P.C.; Medalists — 148, Dayna Benson, Beverley Davis, Lauren Howe; Entries: 113

1976: Pilar Dorado d. Kellii Doherty, 3 and 2; Del Rio G. & C.C., Modesto, Calif.; Medalist — 146, Lauren Howe; Entries: 129

1977: Althea Tome d. Melissa McGeorge, 3 and 2; Guyan G. & C.C., Huntington, W.Va.; Medalist — 144, Mary Murphy; Entries: 127

1978: Lori Castillo d. Jenny Lidback, 4 and 2; Wilmington (Del.) C.C., (North Course); Medalist — 146, Mary Barrett; Entries: 172

1979: Penny Hammel d. Amy Benz, 2 and 1; Pleasant Valley C.C., Little Rock, Ark.; Medalist — 142, Amy Benz; Entries: 176

1980: Laurie Rinker d. Libby Akers, 5 and 4; Crestview C.C. (North Course), Wichita, Kan., Medalist — 151, Cynthia Schreyer; Entries: 162

1981: Kay Cornelius d. Kim Simmons, 2 and 1; Illahe Hills C.C., Salem, Ore.; Medalists — 151, Jamie De Weese, Kathy Kostas; Entries: 131

1982: (Aug. 9-14) Heather Farr d. Caroline Keggi, 2 and 1; Greeley (Colo.) C.C.; Medalist — 141, Melissa McNamara; Entries: 167

1983: Kim Saiki d. Buffy Klein, 2 and 1; Somerset Hills C.C., Bernardsville, N.J.; Medalist — 150, Melissa McNamara; Entries: 165

1984: Cathy Mockett d. Michiko Hattori, 1 up; Mill Creek C.C., Bothell, Wash.; Medalist — 146, Cathy Mockett; Entries: 145

1985: Dana Lofland d. Amy Fruhwirth, 4 and 3; St. Clair C.C., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Medalist — 148, Dana Lofland; Entries: 144

1986: Pat Hurst d. Adele Moore, 20 holes; Peach Tree G. & C.C., Marysville, Calif.; Medalist — 140, Michiko Hattori; Entries: 193

1987: Michelle McGann d. Lynne Mikulas, 7 and 5; The Orchards G.C., South Hadley, Mass.; Medalists — 151, Lisa Brandetsas, Michelle McGann, Brandie Burton; Entries: 209

1988: Jamille Jose d. Debbie Parks, 5 and 4; Golden Valley (Minn.) C.C.; Medalist — 141, Brandie Burton; Entries: 207

1989: Brandie Burton d. Camie Hoshino, 1 up; Pine Needles L. & G.C., Southern Pines, N.C.; Medalist — 138, Brandie Burton; Entries: 189

1990: Sandrine Mendiburu d. Vicki Goetze, 3 and 2; Manasquan River G.C., Brielle, N.J.; Medalist — 147, Vicki Goetze; Entries: 183

1991: Emilee Klein d. Kimberly Marshall, 3 and 2; Crestview C.C., Wichita, Kan.; Medalist — 142, Emilee Klein; Entries: 210

1992: Jamie Koizumi d. Alicia Allison, 5 and 4; Meridian Hills C.C.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Medalist — 145, Erika Hayashida; Entries: 246

1993: Kellee Booth d. Erika Hayashida, 1 up; Mesa Verde C.C., Costa Mesa, Calif.; Medalist — 141, Cristie Kerr; Entries: 216

1994: Kelli Kuehne d. Molly Cooper, 5 and 3; Meadow Lark C.C., Great Falls, Mont.; Medalist — 141, Kelli Kuehne; Entries: 213

1995: Marcy Newton d. Andrea Cordova, 4 and 3; Longmeadow (Mass.) C.C.; Medalists — 145,

Beth Bauer, Candy Hannemann, Grace Park; Entries: 267

1996: Dorothy Delasin d. Grace Park, 5 and 4; Westward Ho C.C., Sioux Falls, S.D.; Medalist — 139, Reilley Rankin; Entries: 618

1997: Beth Bauer d. Candie Kung, 4 and 2; Legends Club of Tennessee (Ironwood Course), Franklin, Tenn.; Medalist — 134, Beth Bauer; Entries: 758

1998: Leigh Anne Hardin d. Brittany Straza, 2 up; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist — 144, Dorothy Delasin; Entries: 813

1999: Aree Wongluekiet d. Nancy Abiecunas, 2 up; Green Spring Valley Hunt Club, Owings Mills, Md.; Medalist — 142, Candie Kung; Entries: 792

2000: Lisa Ferrero d. Ina Kim, 3 and 1; Pumpkin Ridge G.C. (Ghost Creek Course), North Plains, Ore.; Medalist — 144, Erica Blasberg; Entries: 759

2001: Nicole Perrot d. Whitney Welch, 3 and 2; Indian Hills C.C., Mission Hills, Kan.; Medalist — 133, Christina Kim; Entries: 856

2002Inbee Park d. Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana, 4 and 3; Echo Lake C.C., Westfield, N.J.; Medalist — 141, In-Bee Park; Entries: 870. Final Results

2003Sukjin-Lee Wuesthoff d. Inbee Park, 1 up; Brooklawn C.C., Fairfield, Conn.; Medalist — 140, In-Bee Park; Entries: 856. Final Results

2004Julieta Granada d. Jane Park, 20 holes; Mira Vista G.C., Fort Worth, Texas; Medalists — 138, Mari Chun, Julieta Granada, In-Bee Park; Entries: 811. Final Results

2005In-Kyung Kim d. Inbee Park, 5 and 4; BanBury G.C., Eagle, Idaho; Medalist — •130, Taylore Karle; Entries: 838. Final Results

(36-Hole Championship Match Implemented, 2006-Present)

2006Jenny Shin d. Vicky Hurst, 37 holes; Carmel C.C. (South Course), Charlotte, N.C.; Medalist — 138, Mina Harigae; Entries: 899. Final Results

2007Kristen Park d. Ayaka Kaneko, 4 and 3; Tacoma C. & G.C., Lakewood, Wash.; Medalist — 134, Kimberly Kim; Entries: 870. Final Results

2008: Lexi Thompson d. Karen Chung, 5 and 4; Hartford G.C., West Hartford, Conn.; Medalist — 134, Lisa McCloskey; Entries: 929. Final Results

2009Amy Anderson d. Kimberly Kim, 6 and 5; Trump National G.C. (Old and New Courses), Bedminster, N.J.; Medalist — 141, Amy Anderson; Entries: 999. Final Results

2010Doris Chen d. Katelyn Dambaugh, 3 and 2; The Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood Course), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.; Medalist – 141, Danielle Kang; Entries: 1,005. Final Results

2011: Ariya Jutanugarn d. Dottie Ardina, 2 and 1; Olympia Fields C.C. (South Course), Olympia Fields, Ill.; Medalist – 140, Ariya Jutanugarn; Entries: 1,086. Final Results

2012: Minjee Lee d. Alison Lee, 1 up; Lake Merced Golf Club, Daly City, Calif.; Medalist – 142, Ariya Jutanugarn; Entries: 1,070. Final Results

2013: Gabriella Then d. Lakareber Abe, 2 and 1; Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Medalist – 138, Bailey Tardy; Entries: 1,079. Final Results

2014: Princess Mary Superal d. Marijosse Navarro, 37 holes; Forest Highlands Golf Club (Meadow Course), Flagstaff, Ariz.; Medalist – 131, Angel Yin; Engries: 1,118. Final Results

2015: Eun Jeong Seong d. Angel Yin, 3 and 2; Tulsa (Okla.) Country Club; Medalist – 132, Megan Khang; Engries: 1,191. Final Results      

2016: Eun Jeong Seong d. Andrea Lee, 3 and 2; The Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J.; Medalists – 141, Hye-Jin Choi, Sadie Englemann; Entries: 1,333. Final Results

2017: Erica Shepherd d. Jennifer Chang, 3 and 2; Boone Valley Golf Club, Augusta, Mo.; Medalist – 137, Lucy Li; Entries: 1,503. Final Results

2018: Yealimi Noh d. Alexa Pano, 4 and 3; Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach, Calif.; Medalist – 131, Lucy Li; Entries: 1,606. Final Results

2019: Lei Ye d. Jillian Bourdage, 1 up; SentryWorld, Stevens Point, Wis.; Medalist – 132, Yuka Saso; Entries: 1,559. Final Results

2020: Championship canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2021: Rose Zhang d. Bailey Davis, 6 and 4; Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase, Md.; Medalist – 131, Rhose Zhang; Entries: 1,484. Final Results

2022: Yana Wilson d. Gianna Clemente, 3 and 2; The Club at Olde Stone, Bowling Green, Ky.; Medalists – 139, Saki Baba, Natalie Vo; Entries: 1,599. Final Results 

2023: Kiara Romero d. Rianne Malixi, 1 up; U.S. Air Force Academy Eisenhower Golf Club (Blue Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Medalist – Yana Wilson; Entries: §1,677. Final Results

• Record qualifying score, 36 holes (2005)

* Record qualifying score, 18 holes (1956, 1962, 1963)

§ Record entry (2023)