Radnor’s Kim sisters fall short of title, but move on
LIMERICK >> Radnor’s Gabby and June Kim came up short in their bid for the District 1 girls Class 3A golf title, but they’re still very much in the hunt for the PIAA individual crown.
Gabby Kim finished second and her younger sister June placed third at the district tournament Tuesday at Turtle Creek Golf Club to earn a berth in next Monday’s East Regional tournament at Golden Oaks Golf Club in Fleetwood.
Conestoga’s Samantha Yao fired an even par 72 to win the title. She was two strokes behind Gabby Kim and Sophia Marcuso of C.B. East and one behind June Kim when the day began, but overcame that deficit with a 1-under par 35 on the front nine. She shot 1-over par on the back to beat Gabby Kim by four strokes and June Kim by 10 with a two-day total of 151 (8-over par).
The Conestoga sophomore posted 16 pars on her way to capturing the title.
“I guess staying consistent was the key,” said Yao, who had shot a 79 at Gilbertsville Golf Course the previous day, “I never really tried to do too much. I stayed out of trouble for the most part and stuck to my game.”
Yao stuck one close on No. 7, then sunk a putt to move to 1-under for the round (7-under overall). Four holes later, she three-putted to finish with her lone bogey for the round on the par 3 No. 11.
Gabby Kim carded a 6-over 78 to finish plus-12 for the two-day event (155). June Kim fired an 83 on the final day to finish at plus 18 (161). Chichester Caprian Kan missed the regional cut by five strokes.
On the boys side, Radnor’s Jake Calamaro was the only Delco golfer to move on in Class 3A. Calamaro fired a 5-over par 77 to finish in a tie for 13th place with a six-over two-day total of 150. Teammate David Colleran carded a 3-over 75 on Day 2, but missed the regional cut by one stroke with an 8-over par total of 152.
Ben Pochet of Spring-Ford had six birdies, including three in a row on the back nine, to edge Ryan Conners of Bishop Shananhan by one stroke to win the boys 3A title. Pochet shot 3-under for the day (72) and 3-under for the tournament (141).
