UCF student wins Florida’s 31st Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship
Three participants record aces on 13th hole at Vanderbilt Country Club
NAPLES, Fla. — Thirteen was surely the lucky number for three female golfers who all shot a hole-in-one on the par-three 13th hole at Vanderbilt Country Club in Naples while competing in Florida’s 31st annual Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship, which concluded on July 13. The lucky golfers were Kaitlyn Hummers of West Palm Beach, Peyton Johnston from Tallahassee, and Tatiana Van Dyck from University Park.
During the tournament, there was also plenty of excitement as Pimpisa Sisutham became the second consecutive player from the University of Central Florida to claim the Women’s Stroke Play Championship, following in the footsteps of the 2024 champion and fellow teammate One Kashima. The top three players were high school or college students, with the youngest player Sara Valentine, of West Palm Beach, who is 13.
Heading into the Sunday showdown, 17-year-old Sophia Dyer of St. Petersburg and Sisutham were co-leaders at 10-under par. Both players were six shots ahead of the next competitor. Sisutham came out on top, erasing a three-shot deficit to win by three strokes with a final score of 202. The key to their success throughout the week was consistent play and a strong short game, with Dyer and Sisutham combining for only five bogeys through the first two rounds. Third place went to 16-year-old Catherine Adino of Boca Raton.
The Women’s Amateur Championship is a 54-hole individual gross stroke play competition for female golfers in Florida with a field of 81 players each day. The championship was open to female amateur golfers who are Florida residents with a handicap index of 10.0 or less.
Eagle Creek Country Club had been the original intended host, but a weather challenge delayed a tee renovation project, making their golf course unable to host the premier event. This led the FSGA to seek another tournament site. As Vanderbilt had previously hosted other FSGA Men’s and Ladies’ tournaments, officials contacted VCC to offer the event.
Originally designed by Gordon G. Lewis, the 18-hole par 72 course is enhanced by lush fairways, sparkling lakes and stunning landscape. The course was re-designed by acclaimed architect Kipp Schulties in 2015. Although the club is private, they offer an Elite Guest Pass Program during the months of May through October for a limited number of individuals.