By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal
Muskegon’s Aya Johnson soared to the 34th Girls Junior State Amateur at Muskegon Country Club on Thursday.

Johnson, playing on her home course, eagled the very first hole used that momentum to defeat Julia Montgomery 4 and 3 in the championship match play round.

That eagle not only gave Johnson the early lead, but propelled her to the victory. That was especially evident on No. 14 when she dropped her tee shot into bunker. However, a solid chip and a solid putt gave her a birdie. One hole later, the match was over.

Johnson, 16, will be a senior at North Muskegon this fall, but plays for Muskegon Catholic due to a co-op arrangement between the two area schools.

Johnson won her semifinal match against Lansing’s Pader Her 2 and 1. Montgomery, who hails from Shelby Township, was the top seed for match play. She defeated Kelsey Murphy in the semifinals 1 up.