Northwestern University Athletics
Komoto Earns Top-3 Finish At 85th Annual Trans National Women's Amateur
8/10/2015 1:51:00 PM | Women's Golf
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Wildcats junior Kacie Komoto carded a 2-under 286 over four rounds at Yakima Country Club to finish third at the 85th Annual Women's TRANS National Golf Association Amateur Championship.
The 2015 Championship was the first time the TRANS National Amateur was hosted in the state of Washington. The field of career amateurs, LPGA hopefuls and top collegiate golfers represented seven countries and many of the top college programs in the nation. Komoto entered the summer with a focused plan to improve her game for the upcoming junior season.
"Of course you have to work on your technique, and you have to practice your short game and your full swing," said the rising junior pursuing a degree in economics. "But there's also a lot of mental aspects you have to work on, and strategies, and course management, so that's what I wanted to focus on heading into the fall. It definitely keeps me sharp, I feel more prepared and ready for the fall season. Playing over the summer helps keep you in that tournament mode, I think that's really important."
The Honolulu native opened the competition strong by carding three birdies over her final six holes in Thursday's first round to record a 1-under 71. That momentum carried right into Friday's second round where she birdied three of her first six en route to the lowest 18-hole score of the entire tournament, a 5-under 67. Komoto finished the weekend with a 1-under 71 to fend off several challengers and secure a Top-3 result.
The performance came on the heels of a T-12 finish at the 2015 Candian Women's Amateur Championship at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
"I can see how my game is changing and improving, so I'm excited for that," said Komoto. "It's always been kind of hard for me to reach those lower numbers, the four or five-under. Even par is great, but that's not going to win you a tournament. I shot a four-under at the Candian Am, and I had a five-under at the TRANS National Am, so that shows me I can reach those lower numbers, I need to be more fearless when I play. But it definitely showed me there's still work to do."
Komoto earned First Team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in 2014-15 to follow up a Second Team recognition as a freshman. Her 74.31 scoring average this season is the fifth-best in Northwestern program history, while her 74.64 career stroke average is the best in Wildcats history among players with 50-or-more rounds on their resume.
The 2015 Championship was the first time the TRANS National Amateur was hosted in the state of Washington. The field of career amateurs, LPGA hopefuls and top collegiate golfers represented seven countries and many of the top college programs in the nation. Komoto entered the summer with a focused plan to improve her game for the upcoming junior season.
"Of course you have to work on your technique, and you have to practice your short game and your full swing," said the rising junior pursuing a degree in economics. "But there's also a lot of mental aspects you have to work on, and strategies, and course management, so that's what I wanted to focus on heading into the fall. It definitely keeps me sharp, I feel more prepared and ready for the fall season. Playing over the summer helps keep you in that tournament mode, I think that's really important."
The Honolulu native opened the competition strong by carding three birdies over her final six holes in Thursday's first round to record a 1-under 71. That momentum carried right into Friday's second round where she birdied three of her first six en route to the lowest 18-hole score of the entire tournament, a 5-under 67. Komoto finished the weekend with a 1-under 71 to fend off several challengers and secure a Top-3 result.
The performance came on the heels of a T-12 finish at the 2015 Candian Women's Amateur Championship at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
"I can see how my game is changing and improving, so I'm excited for that," said Komoto. "It's always been kind of hard for me to reach those lower numbers, the four or five-under. Even par is great, but that's not going to win you a tournament. I shot a four-under at the Candian Am, and I had a five-under at the TRANS National Am, so that shows me I can reach those lower numbers, I need to be more fearless when I play. But it definitely showed me there's still work to do."
Komoto earned First Team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in 2014-15 to follow up a Second Team recognition as a freshman. Her 74.31 scoring average this season is the fifth-best in Northwestern program history, while her 74.64 career stroke average is the best in Wildcats history among players with 50-or-more rounds on their resume.
Players Mentioned
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