Nevada’s Cameron hits the links in North Texas

Saturday, March 2, 2019
Emree Cameron follows through on an approach shot.
Submitted photo

Nevada Middle School sixth-grader Emree Cameron notched a second-place finish at the North Texas PGA All-American Tour’s Bagpipe Open last weekend.

The event was played at The Tribute in Colony, Texas, and was Cameron’s 2019 debut — shooting a 92 in the opening round, and then wrapping play with a final round 87. Cameron trailed only four-time tournament winner Alexandra Hileman.

“This was Emree’s first time playing outdoors since the first week of November,” began Emree’s father and trainer, Eric. “So our goal going into the tournament was to work on her calibrations, and get a feel of how the off-season strength training and (traveling) basketball affected her game. Saturday (opening-round) was tough, with 20-30 mile per hour winds, and gusts up to 40 mph.”

Added Eric: “During the off-season Emree also went through equipment upgrades, so we really just want to get her distances dialed in. With those types of winds, you’re not calibrating anything. The course played 5,352 yards, and a 92 left Emree six strokes back of Hileman (after day one).

Emree Cameron walks up hole No. 18 at The Tribute in Colony, Texas. The 18th hole is a replica of famed St. Andrews Golf Club.
Submitted photo

With the weather conditions milder for the final round on Sunday, Cameron was able to slice Hileman lead in half through nine holes.

“It was so exciting to see her back in her element, fighting from behind, noted Eric. “On the back-nine, Emree found herself in a hazard on hole 10, and by hole No. 12, had lost all the ground she fought so hard for. Back-to-back birdies on holes 13 and 14 gave her new life to make a late charge. There just weren’t enough holes left in the tournament to capture her first NTPGA victory.

After the dust had settled, Cameron concluded with a runner-up 35-over-par, and tournament champion Hileman — 33-over.

Emree Cameron strikes her approach shot on hole No. 18, and would go on to par the hole. In the background, is, eventual tournament winner Alexandra Hileman and her caddy.
Submitted Photo

Summed up Cameron: “This was a good warm-up for Emree, and we learned a lot. Her putting has improved, and her distances aren’t going to handcuff her when she plays these longer yardages. Also, because of the small field, the tournament did not go against her Junior Golf Scoreboard World Ranking. Emree will return to The Tribute in April to play in the Taylormade Junior Open.

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