13-year-old Marble Falls girl youngest player to win women’s tourney

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

HORSESHOE BAY — A special exemption allowed Marble Falls Middle School student Macy Fox to play in the Women’s West Texas Golf Association Championship on June 19. And she made the most of that opportunity.

In the end, the 13-year-old golfer defeated four opponents in match play to win the tournament and become the youngest tournament champion in the 80-year history of the event.

“It makes me feel really good,” she said. “I love the game and am glad to share it with these wonderful ladies. They were very nice to me. They were very inspiring.”

The tournament was played on Slick Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort, a course on which Fox practices. She said the course’s hills and traps are challenging, which makes winning there even more meaningful.

“I knew if I played my game, I could win,” she said. “I played the best I can. I was very proud of myself. I knew I could do it.”

In the final match play of the tournament, Fox beat Terry Dukes three up with one hole to play. The youngster finished the tournament with three birdies and a par on the final four holes.

“She played a great match,” Fox said. “She kept the lead the whole way.”

Fox defeated Lynn Bishop 4 and 2 in the semifinals, Sherri Bowden 8 and 7, and Connie Crossland 8 and 6 to begin the event.

The young golfer didn’t have a bogey in the first two match plays.

Fox was grateful to Linda Jones, who asked tournament officials to make an exemption for her, she said.

Days before the start of the tournament, Fox played on the course with the golfers to determine seeds.

“I want to thank Ms. Dukes for always letting me play with her,” she said. “She’s a very good player, and it’s a lot of competition for me at Horseshoe Bay. It’s a lot of fun. Ms. Jones had a big part of letting me play in this tournament. They’re all great players.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com