Cameron returns to links for Hurricane Tour

Friday, February 24, 2017
Nevada's Emree Cameron readies for an approach shot during her debut on the Hurricane Junior Golf tour over the weekend in Colony, Texas. (Submitted photo)

Nine-year old Nevada-native Emree Cameron is back on the junior national links, competing in her first event since she finished second at the Doral-Publix Junior Golf Classic at Trump Doral National Golf Club in Miami two months ago.

In her first Hurricane Junior Golf Tour event, held over the weekend at The Tribute in Colony, Texas, Cameron finished in third-place in the 13-and-under division (the tournament is comprised of only two divisions: 18-and-under and 13-and-under).

"This is a college preparatory tour, in its 10th year, that Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake recently bought into," said Emree's father, Eric Cameron, adding that Emree was the youngest player by two years to enter the 13-and under division.

"For this age division, the yardage for 18 holes was 5,287 yards, which is 165 yards longer than the ladies tee boxes at Nevada's Frank E. Peters (in Nevada)," Eric Cameron noted.

"This was also Emree's first time playing a two-day, 36-hole golf tournament at these yardages. I was a little skeptical going into the tournament because of the longer yardages,and, two days of walking 18 holes is a lot for a 9-year- old girl."

Eric said the front-nine on day one was a learning process for Emree, finishing with a 49.

Emree then turned it on while playing the back nine ---- highlighted by a birdie on No. 12 (par-5, 421 yards).

Emree Cameron looks to sink a putt. (Submitted photo)

In achieving the birdie, Emree hammered a 200-yard drive straight down the middle of the fairway. She then used a 3-wood to knock out another 150 yards, leaving her roughly 70 yards from the pin on the upcoming approach shot.

A three-quarter sand wedge then left her eight feet short of the hole. From there, a smooth stroke resulted in a left to right breaking putt that sank into the bottom of the hole. Emree then concluded the day with a double-bogey free 41 and a first day score of 90.

On day two Emree stayed consistent, carding a 91 for a two day total of 181, good for a third-place finish behind Symran Shah (161) and Miyoko Tan (172.)

"This was a big accomplishment for Emree," said Eric. "It has showed that she can branch out and play in bigger tournaments with longer yardages against older girls and not get embarrassed."

Eric continued: "I had confidence she would handle the longer day and longer walk. We have been consistently working on her conditioning since the beginning of the year."

Reflecting upon the tournament, Emree told the Daily Mail that the biggest challenge she encountered was hole No. 4.

"I was in the sand trap both days on hole four," said Emree.

"One of the sand traps was so deep, it had stairs to help you get down in it," Eric jokingly said. "Hole four was a tribute to the par-3 fifth hole at Royal Troon Golf Club (in Scotland), better known as the 'Postage Stamp'."

Up next

Emree will be idle for the next five weeks as she preps for the Drive, Chip, and Putt championships at famed Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters.

Emree qualified for the event by placing first in the regional finals at Hazeltine National Golf Club (Minn.) in September.

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