IJGA Alumni Laura Restrepo wins Symetra Tour’s Garden Championship
IJGA alumni Laura Restrepo (Class of 2012) won her first Symetra Tour event by a one-shot victory at the Garden Championship in Prattville, Alabama, September 20-22, 2019.
Restrepo, 25, and a native of Panama City, Panama, clinched the first professional golf title for her home country with a 72-66-64 at the Capital Hill Golf Club’s Senator Course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
In her opening round, the three-time All-Conference player for the University of Louisville alumni shot even-par 72, with three birdies and three bogeys for the day. Restrepo was bogey-free during her second round with six birdies, finishing the day with a career-best of six-under for a 66.
Heading into the final round Restrepo was four shots back, carding eight birdies, finishing eight under for the day and 14-under for the three-day tournament.
“It is so amazing, I can’t even put it into words,” Restrepo said. “This year has been pretty rough, and then to have it all come together the last day — the two rounds actually, it feels so amazing. All the hard work has finally paid off. It has just been tough. I’ve missed a lot of cuts out here. It hasn’t been very consistent this year. I knew I was really close. I was putting in the work and it wasn’t really paying off. I stayed patient. It’s not easy to stay patient and to stay postiive, but I tried my best and it finally all come together this week — and it’s worth it!”
With her win, Restrepo collects a winner’s check of $26,250 and moves to 35th on the Symetra Tour money list with two events remaining in this year’s season.
About IJGA: The International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA) was founded in 1995 on Hilton Head Island, SC as a home for elite juniors from around the world looking to earn college golf scholarships in the United States. Since 1995, IJGA has achieved nearly 100% college placement and graduates have earned over $52 million in college golf scholarships. IJGA continues to develop the character and skill of junior golfers, while helping them achieve their goals.
CONTACT:
Beth Patton
International Junior Golf Academy
bethp@ijsa.com
843.686.1500
