Pangan Powers to Victory at 22nd Women’s Public Links Championship
FLANDERS, N.J. ––– Sofia Pangan of the NJ Golf E-Club shot a 5-under par 68 to best the field by 8 strokes and take home the 22nd New Jersey Women’s Public Links Championship at Flanders Valley Golf Course on July 31.
“I'm just super happy,” Pangan said of her win. “This is a pretty big thing. Today was my first time breaking 70 and being under par. I'm honestly so proud of myself for playing as well as I could.”
Pangan, age 16 of Clifton, closed out her commanding front nine with three consecutive birdies to take a 3-under lead going into the turn.
“I think once I finally got my first birdie it gave me some momentum,” Pangan said. “Then it was about continuing to strike the ball well and continue my thought process throughout the whole round.”
A birdie on No. 15, a 465-yard par 5, extended Pangan's lead and propelled her away from the rest of the field at Flanders Valley Golf Course, which played 5,506 yards on Thursday.
“I think the biggest advantage was distance-wise, because for me personally, I'm a pretty long hitter,” Pangan said. “It made it easier to hit shorter distances and get closer to the pin.”
With only two bogeys to round out her scorecard, Pangan, a senior at Passaic County Vocational – Technical School, stayed consistent to earn her first NJ Golf title.
“My ball striking was pretty good today, especially with my recent struggles with my short game,” Pangan said.
In the gross division, Yasmeen Muhammad, of the NJ Golf E-Club shot a 3-over par 76 to earn runner-up.
In the net division, Ellie Yum, of Galloping Hill Golf Course fired in a 7-under par 66 to take the net title. Following close behind was Elizabeth Kunesch of Darlington Golf Course, who shot a 4-under par 69 to earn runner-up.
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