By Dalton Balthaser
PORTSMOUTH - Alexis Florio wasn’t even supposed to be playing in the Rhode Island Golf Association Women’s Amateur.
She had an internship with NBC Sports during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. But that was canceled due to COVID-19.
She wasn’t even a lock to make match play after a qualifying round of 85 put her in a playoff for the final match play spots. Even as the 2019 Finalist and Medalist.
She lost to Daria Delfino, 3&2, in last year's Final.
In a year where it’s proven that nothing is guaranteed, Florio garnished the biggest win of her career in the unlikeliest of fashions by defeating No. 1 seed and Medalist Gianna Papa of Valley Country Club, 1-up, in the #RIWomensAm Final Friday at Montaup Country Club (par 73, 5,338 yards).
“I always knew I had it in me to win this championship,” said Florio, 20, Cranston. “It’s a long week so it is not how you start it is how you finish. I learned from my mistakes on the first day and it helped me get through each match.”
She needed to get up and down for par from the drop zone on No. 1 (par 5, 343 yards) to even make match play on Monday. Which she would do. Giving her the No. 14 seed.
Friday, her final test was the 13-year-old phenom Papa, whose course record of 67 in the stroke play qualifying had her confidence at an all-time high. Papa was also undefeated in match play this season after winning the #RIGAJunior Girls’ division at Alpine Country Club, which is Florio’s home club.
Papa was also looking to become the youngest to win the #RIWomensAm at 13. Addy Douglas won at Rhode Island Country Club in 2017 when she was 16.
“No matter who you are playing they are still someone hitting a golf ball,” said Florio. “I tried to disassociate the person from the golf shots. Wherever the shot goes, determines how I play my shot. My caddie Lisa [Ferrara] and I just wanted to enjoy each other’s company and keep a positive attitude.”
The match was one that you dream about as a fan. Holes won by birdies instead of pars and frequent changes in momentum. Changes that make you nervous for those competing even though you are on the sidelines.
At the turn, they were deadlocked. But the rising junior at Columbia University stuffed an 8-iron on No. 10 (par 3, 128 yards) to a foot to get to 1-up. Then Papa took command with three consecutive birdies on Nos. 11 (par 4, 344 yards), 12 (par 3, 165 yards) and 13 (par 5, 420 yards) to seize a 2-up advantage with five holes to play.
“I knew it was bound to happen for one of us to get on a roll,” said Florio. “It just wasn’t my time yet but I knew that the closing holes were tough, so I still had time. I just had to be patient.”
That patience paid off with birdies on No. 15 (par 5, 401 yards) and 17 (par 4, 324 yards). She two-putted for birdie on No. 15 and stuffed a gap wedge from 105 yards to eight feet on No. 17.
All of a sudden, Florio went from down and out to back in the match. Her and Papa were tied heading to the 18th tee. With only one hole remaining between them and history.
After Papa short-sided herself in the right greenside bunker, the door opened for Florio.
With adrenaline on her and Ferrara’s mind, she clubbed down to a 58-degree wedge. It turned out to be the right decision. She hit it to 10 feet from 75 yards applying the pressure all on Papa’s shoulders to somehow make par.
Papa was on the downslope of the bunker with no room to work with. She left it in the rough and didn’t get up-and-down from there for a five. Finishing her tournament with a double bogey.
She then conceded Florio’s birdie putt.
“I loved playing in a match like Alexis and I had,” said Papa, 13, of Foster and a rising eighth grader at Father John Doyle School in Coventry. “I love the competition. I learned from this event that I can compete with this field and exceed my expectations. I’ve proven to myself that I can play really well and I am seeing my potential.”
Florio shot 68 and Papa shot 72. A showing of true championship golf. The future of Women’s golf is bright in Rhode Island.
Now Florio’s name will be engraved next to the greatest female golfers the Ocean State has ever seen. The likes of Nancy Chafee, Julie Greene, Lisa McGill and Glenna Collett-Vare, who is the namesake of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Trophy, amongst others.
Not a bad consolation for someone who paved the unlikeliest of paths into the field, the match play bracket and to hoisting the trophy.
“It feels great to be on that trophy,” said Florio. “I am honored to have my name next to all of the great women golfers in Rhode Island. They have all done so much for the game. It’s great to be listed with them.”
President’s Bowl
Kirkbrae Country Club’s Jordan Vrees defeated The Aquidneck Club’s Eileen Faxon 4&3, to claim the President’s Bowl.
The President’s Bowl goes to the winner of the Net division of the #RIWomensAm.
“It means a lot to win the President’s Bowl,” said Vrees, 13, of Lincoln, and a rising eighth grader at Blackstone Valley Prep in Cumberland. “Going into this match I just wanted to play my best and see what I could do. This was my first time playing in the State Amateur so it was a nice experience playing against all of these different people. It was amazing to play well and win.”