Cameron returns to links, places first at Swope Memorial

Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Nevada 10-year-old Emree Cameron follows through with her sand wedge on an approach shot from the fairway, on the par-5 12th hole at Swope Memorial Golf Course over the weekend.
Submitted photo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nevada junior golfing phenom Emree Cameron, a Truman Elementary School fifth-grader, returned to the links with a bang last weekend.

Competing for the first time after a lengthy five-month off-season, Cameron dominated the Futures Junior Golf Tour event at Swope Memorial Golf Course in Kansas City. Cameron, who is 10, actually entered into the 12-14 year-old age division and played from the women’s tees.

Battling frigid conditions, Cameron carded an opening-round score of 88, handing her a three-stroke lead over Notre Dame de Sion H.S. freshman Caroline Giocondo, who placed 23rd in the 2017 Missouri Class 2 State golf tournament. Additionally, Cameron led 14-year-old Lia Johnson, another Notre Dame de Sion H.S. freshman, by eight strokes. Johnson was a 20th-place finisher at last year’s Missouri Class 2 state tournament.

Cameron continued to battle the elements on day two, Sunday, widening her lead on the Notre Dame de Sion duo heading down the home stretch. A nearly flawless tee shot on the 105-yard, par-3 16th hole left Cameron with a two-foot tap-in birdie putt, icing her victory.

Cameron concluded the final round with an 86, winning the event by eight strokes.

“The scores weren’t the best because of the conditions,” noted Cameron’s father and trainer, Eric. “With it being the first event of the year, Emree had a lot of rust in her game. But the amazing thing is, she defeated a couple high school golfers, and probably gave them a wake up call.”

Cameron, who placed third at the 2017 Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals in Augusta, Georgia, is next set to compete at Eagles Landing in Belton, Missouri, in the second of five Futures Junior Golf Tour events.

Futures Tour

Along with Cameron, a pair of local golfers were also present at Swope Memorial over the weekend. Nevada High School junior Bronson Smith placed first in the boys 15-18 year-old division, while Owen Swearingen slotted into fourth-place in the 13-14 year-old division.

Smith, already off to a hot start this season on the high school circuit, carded a two-day score of 163, edging out Andrew Conrad of Lawrence, Kansas, for the top spot.

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