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Cameron on the Cusp: Local youth looks to punch return ticket to Augusta
Emree Cameron, at the top of her game, will look to ride a recent wave of momentum all the way to famed Augusta National Golf Club.
Cameron, a Nevada Middle School seventh-grader, competes tomorrow at the Drive, Chip, and Putt Regional Finals just outside of Denver. A devastatingly powerful and accurate performance at the DCP sub-regional qualifier a month ago put Cameron on the precipice, as a first-place finish punches her return ticket to Augusta. Cameron's sparkling resume includes a DCP Regional Final victory in 2016, and she ultimately placed third in the girls' 9-year-old division at the DCP Finals in April 2017.
After experiencing a mini-drought following Augusta, Cameron said she's ready to break on through to the other side.
"I have gotten taller, stronger, and I have played in harder tournaments," Cameron told the Daily Mail, explaining how she's grown as a golfer since her previous trip to the dream-course.
At last month's DCP sub-regional qualifier in Kansas City Cameron so thoroughly dominated the competition that after the dust had settled she had the second highest score of any of the eight age-divisions — boys and girls combined. Additionally, Cameron won her division by 34 points.
Cameron, however, indicated the lengthy layoff is typically not helpful.
"It's kind of hard to maintain the momentum, because playing in tournaments is different than just practicing, and I like playing in tournaments the most," she said.
Due to a rigorous training regiment, Cameron is confident she'll be in peak form for tomorrow's marquee event.
"I have been practicing five or six days a week at Elite Fitness (in Nevada), where I have a swing studio and indoor putting green, or at Cottey College's swing studio," she said. "I also have gone to Kansas City to train the past two weekends, and have FaceTime lessons every Tuesday afternoon with (personal coach) Rick Burk. And, I work out at Elite Fitness on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school, and Saturday mornings."
Cameron said she anticipates her biggest challenge on Sunday to come from Yana Wilson, the 2018 Las Vegas World Star of Golf champion.
"Following the three 'C's'," said Cameron, elaborating on her strategy. "Staying cool, calm, and confident. Also, not worrying about the other competitors, and focusing on my game."
Summed up Cameron: "A return trip to Augusta would mean a lot to me. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so having the opportunity to do it twice would be amazing."