Aya Johnson advances to semifinals of 86th Women’s Western Golf Association National Junior Championship

By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

North Muskegon’s Aya Johnson moved into the semifinals of the 86^th Women’s Western Golf Association National Junior Championship with a pair of victories on Thursday.

Johnson defeated Christine Paulsen from Ridgewood, N.J. 9 and 7 in her morning match. She also won in the afternoon, defeating Brooke LaRue of Topeka, Kansas, to reach Friday morning’s semifinals.

At 7:30 a.m. Friday, Johnson will take on Morgan Nadaline from Andersen, Ind. in the championship semifinals. Nadaline defeated Connie Ellett from Hampshire, Ill., 4 and 3.

In the other semifinal, Samantha Spencer, from Georgetown, Ontario, will face off against Chakansim Khamborn of Khonkaen, Thailand.

In a third-round consolation match on Thursday, Muskegon’s Britni Gielow lost to Sydney Murphy of Plymouth 4 and 3.

The tournament is being played at the Cincinnati Country Club in Ohio and is one of the oldest junior tournaments in the country. It started in 1920 for girls ages 17 and younger. Other than a few years during World War II, the tournament has been an annual event.