Isabella Ok of Goshen wins Section 9 girls golf title, topping three-time champ Milazzo
HIGHLAND – Goshen sophomore golfer Isabella Ok dethroned three-time Section 9 champion Gina Milazzo of Warwick on the final day of the tournament on a hot and sunny Wednesday at Apple Greens Golf Course.
With Milazzo headed for SUNY Cortland and two more years of high school for Ok, she wouldn’t mind matching her chief rival’s feat.
“I’m hoping, I’m really hoping,’’ said the 16-year-old Ok. “I think I can do it.’’ Added Milazzo: I hope she does. She’s a great person and a great friend.’’
Ok followed her 2-over-par 73 in Tuesday’s opening round with a 77, for a total of 8-over-par 150. Milazzo followed her 75 with an 82, finishing seven strokes behind. Marlboro eighth-grader Alexa Trapani shot rounds of 80 and 83 to finish at 163 for third place. Ok said she had a bit of trouble with her drives at the outset on Wednesday but managed to fix her problems.
After several years of challenging for the title, Ok said Winning feels “a lot better … great.’’
Milazzo lost a stroke to Ok on the first hole but got it back on No. 5, lost another on No. 6 but got that back on No. 9 – each golfer went out in 39. The turning point came at No. 11 as Ok converted the par 3 while Milazzo hit the first of two double bogeys. Milazzo admits she got into her own head, knowing she had to push the limits of her game to make up ground.
“I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,’’ Milazzo said. “but I think it was respectable (though) not the results I wanted. But onward and upward, figuring on better things.’’
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Ok, Milazzo and Trapani lead a nine-girl Section 9 team headed to the state championships on June 1-2. Also headed to The Edison Club are Reagan Roth of Newburgh; Leah Sheerin of Monroe-Woodbury; Jillian Pucci of Goshen; Alexandra Young of Onteora; Sarah Samuelson of Valley Central and Abby Morse of Monticello. Only Milazzo and Roth are seniors, setting up a return for many next year.
With Trapani two years behind Ok in school, she is hopeful of contending for the sectional crown soon enough.
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“I’m really proud of myself,’’ said Trapani, who was happy with her opening round on Tuesday. “I was playing with girls that are older than me … it was like really stressful but a fun experience to be in this position.
“I was already beating the fourth-place girl by two (strokes) so I had to come out here today and just play my best,’’ she added.
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Section 9 girls golf championships
At Apple Greens GC, par-71
Final standings: 1. Isabella Ok (Goshen, Soph.) 73-77—150; 2. Gina Milazzo (Warwick, Sr.) 75-82—157; 3. Alexa Trapani (Marlboro, Eighth) 80-83—163; 4. Reagan Roth (Newburgh, Sr.) 82-85—167; 5. Leah Sheerin (Monroe-Woodbury, Soph.) 84-85—169; 6. Jillian Pucci (Goshen, Soph.) 84-88—172; 7. Alexandra Young (Onteora, Soph.) 83-92—175; 8. Sarah Samuelson (Valley Central, Jr.) 94-91—185; 9. Abby Morse (Monticello, Jr.) 99-92—191; 10. (state alternate) Madison Paddock (Rondout Valley, Jr.) 95-100—195
Did not make state squad: 11. Alexa Milazzo (Warwick, Soph.) 94-101—195; 12. Rachel Williams (Onteora, Sr.) 100-103—203; 13. Katie Reed (Port Jervis, Eighth) 102-105—207; 14. Sierra Wiser (Highland, Jr.) 101-107—208; 15. Abby Davis (Washingtonville, Sr.) 102-108—210; 16. Gwen Benniger (Marlboro, Soph.) 102-109—211; 17. Paige Fischer (Washingtonville, Sr.) 102-118—218; 18. Christina Lettre (Kingston, Sr.) 102-120—222
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Goshen's Ok wins Section 9 girls golf championship
