By Dalton Balthaser

 

LINCOLN, R.I. - Vinny Papa is only 10 years old. Her game models the likes of the more experienced female players in her division.

 

She took care of business yet again as the No. 1 seed and defeated Metacomet Golf Club’s Emily Trainor, 8&7, to solidify her spot as one of the remaining four in the Junior Girls’ division.

 

Joining Papa in the semifinals Thursday at Kirkbrae (par 71, 5,326 yards) will be No. 4 seed Addy Douglas of Newport Country Club, Papa’s sister Gianna of Connecticut National Golf Club (No. 2 seed) and No. 6 seed Ava Santamaria of Alpine Country Club.

 

In Thursday’s morning matches, Vinny Papa will face Douglas at 7:46 a.m. and Gianna will face Santamaria at 7:54 a.m. The 18-hole final will take place following the conclusion of those matches.

 

“It feels really good to make the semifinals,” said Vinny Papa, of Foster, R.I. and an incoming sixth-grader at Ponaganset Middle School. “I am excited for Thursday. I thought I played well overall. I am confident in my abilities and getting to the next match. I think if I can keep my short game in good shape I will be fine.”

 

Douglas, an incoming freshman at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., defeated Metacomet’s Kaylie Porter, 7&6.

 

She birdied No. 1 after rolling in a 20-footer and didn’t trail in her match.

 

“I haven’t been able to play in the Junior Amateur for a couple of years,” said Douglas, 18, of Newport, R.I. “The last time I played in 2016, I made the final and lost to Allison Paik. Hopefully, I can make it to the finals in my last one and win.”

 

Gianna Papa defeated Ledgemont Country Club’s Hanley Correia, 9&7.

 

“At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t playing great at all,” said Gianna Papa, 12 and an incoming seventh-grader at Ponaganset. “I was playing well but my scores weren’t showing it. It’ll be fun because of the match play format and I enjoy playing matches. Now all of the stronger players are left so you have to bring your best golf.”

 

After being 2-down through three holes, Santamaria stayed patient and fought back to defeat Wannamoisett’s Morgan Macleod, 2&1.

 

She took her first lead of the match on No. 16 (par 4, 287 yards) after chipping in for a par.

 

“It’s exciting for me to make the semifinals,” said Santamaria, 16, of Cranston, R.I. and an incoming junior at Cranston High School West. “I didn’t play well at all to start my match but I kept grinding and pushing through. For me to get to the final, I will have to take the round one shot at a time and focus on what I am doing.”