PALM COAST, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- The 2016-17 UCF women's golf team will boast the Florida State Amateur Champion. Kaeli Jones, who will be a junior for the Knights after two seasons at South Alabama, won the Florida Amateur title Sunday afternoon at the Conservatory Course at Hammock Beach Resort.
Jones was one stroke off the lead after the first round. By the end of round two, she had climbed into a tie for the lead. After a 2-under third and final round, she finished the tournament -6, three strokes better than a trio of golfers who finished at -3.
Jones held a one-shot lead over Anastasia Carter, as the two teed it up on the 18th. Neither hit perfect drives. Jones would have to play her second shot from a water hazard and Carter would was playing from a waste bunker. Jones took off her shoes and entered the hazard to hit her second shot. Carter struck her second shot into a hazard leaving a difficult third shot. Jones hit her third shot just over the back of the green and got up and down for par, while Carter carded a double-bogey.
"I'm very excited," Jones said shortly after taking the title. "It is an awesome feeling. It gives me confidence going into the (college) season, knowing I can shoot the scores I need to compete in the (American Athletic) Conference."
UCF head coach Emily Marron was obviously pleased for her new protege.
"Kaeli has been playing great all summer and I knew she was dueo to break through with a win," Marron said. "I couldn't be happier for her. It's valuable experience for her and our team to get a big win at the future site of the American Athletic Conference Championship."
The Knights will host the rest of The American at the Conservatory Course in the spring. But before that, the fall season will begin Sept. 16-18 in Nashville at the Mason Rudolph Championship.
