Yeji Shin's 67 Wins Women's Public Links Championship
More than anything, the victory by Valley Brook’s Yeji Shin at the 13th NJSGA Women’s Public Links Championship at The Knoll Country Club (West), proved she was healthy enough to win a golf tournament.
“The past two month I couldn’t play and lost a lot of confidence. It’s something about my spine that needs adjustment and rest every so often. The first time I played since was a practice round here on Friday and the thing I took out of it was that I would definitely need my putter because the greens are so sloping. All I practiced on the past three days was my putting,” she said.
Shin, a rising sophomore at Georgia Southern University, fired a three-under-par 67 to win the Women’s Public Links Championship by six shots over former champion (2012) Noelle Maertz of Hyatt Hills, a recent graduate of Wagner University.
Other players recognized were: Maertz (overall runner-up, 73), Dona Wallerius of Crystal Springs (overall net, 64), Sarah Relyea of Valley Brook (First Flight low gross, 80), Marge Zietchick of WGA of NJ (First Flight low net, 70), Robyn Lindsay of Pinch Brook (Second Flight low gross, 89) and Karen Stepsus of EWGA of North N.J. (Second Flight low net, 67).
“I putted well today. I didn’t have a single three putt. The holes I could be aggressive on, I was aggressive. And I played it safe on the more difficult holes,” said Shin, who recorded four birdies and one bogey.
Shin also happened to be very accurate with her pitching wedge and eight iron. Her longest putt was a 12-footer for birdie on the par-4 12thhole. Her other birdie putts were two from three feet, and another from one foot on the par-3, 175-yard 12thhole, the closest she has ever come to an ace.
Her lone bogey came on the par-4 third hole when she flubbed a chip.
Shin a year ago won the Bergen County Tournament as a senior at Old Tappan High School. She came on strong at Georgia Southern, placing sixth in the Sunbelt Conference Tournament.
She said Michelle Wie has been a big influence.
“Michelle has been my role model. I’ve only been playing since my freshman year and I’ve spoken to her a little because we both go to the David Ledbetter Academy in Champions Gate, Florida. My goal is to go pro, but I need to get out more and stay healthy,” she said.
