Williams, Jackson Defend Junior Amateur Titles
Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
SEEKONK – It was a special day at the 104th Rhode Island Junior Amateur Championship.
Both Olivia Williams and Max Jackson defended their titles and posted victories in their respective divisions at Ledgemont Country Club. Gavin Walsh won the boys’ 14-and-under division, while AJ Colonna finished with a victory in the boys’ first division.
Jackson is a three-time champion, while Williams is a two-time winner.
“It’s unbelievable,” Jackson said, who defeated Sebastian Carlsson in 20 holes. “I’ve marked this down every single year. I knew there was going to be a lot of pressure, especially after losing the state championship. I had some fire coming into this tournament. Sebastian is such a great player and he’s really tough to beat. He doesn’t make many mistakes, so to beat a quality player like him means a lot.”
Williams said, “It feels really good. To win this is a big deal. It feels good. I played in a lot of good matches.”
Both Jackson and Williams were focused to win this tournament as defending champions.
“It’s my favorite tournament,” Jackson said. “It’s where I started playing golf. I played in it when I was 10 at my home course. I wouldn’t way to play in any other event.”
Williams defeated Kylie Eaton, 1-up.
“It’s a big deal to win,” Williams said. “It’s all the best players in Rhode Island, so it shows how hard I’ve worked.”
Walsh competed in his first tournament.
"Winning this event means a lot to me because it was my first ever state tournament and to see my game held up ago the tough competition that the state has to offer and winning it at Ledgemont is really special," Walsh said.