Ohio State sophomore Kary Hollenbaugh was the most consistent golfer this week at the Women's South Atlantic Amateur Golf Championship, also known as The Sally, at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, Fla., helping propel her to the win.
Hollenbaugh shot rounds of 71-71-69-68 to finish 9-under and was the only golfer to shoot all four rounds under par.
"The course conditions were really solid like they always are on this course," Hollenbaugh said. "The greens are super fast, and the course is in great condition."
Hollenbaugh added, "It played easier the first day than the second; it was really windy. That was when I moved up the leaderboard because I shot 1-under 71, and it was tough. I kept it consistent. I hit a lot of greens, and that was most important. Just giving myself chances to make birdies and pars."
Hollenbaugh finished five shots ahead of 2023 champion Gianna Clemente, who shot rounds of 69-76-68-71 to finish at 4-under and in solo second place.
Hollenbaugh hit 17 of 18 greens in the final round to help her stay true to her motto of consistency.
"That was my game plan all week," Hollenbaugh said. "Just hit greens."
Hollenbaugh played with Clemente for the final two rounds, and with the two talented golfers being familiar with each other as Ohio natives, she knew she had to keep her foot on the gas.
"I just wanted to go there and play my own game and trust myself," Hollenbaugh said. "I knew she would make birdies, but I wanted to go out there and earn it, so I just went out there and executed."
Hollenbaugh has a good history at this tournament, finishing T6 last year.
"It's just a great environment, a great field, and a great tournament," Hollenbaugh said. "That all helps me play better."
Now, as Hollenbaugh heads back to Columbus for her spring season, she has some added confidence.
"It gives me confidence in my game," Hollenbaugh said about the win. "I just got new clubs and am excited to start the spring season. I am happy to be back with the team after winter break and to keep grinding and getting better."
Hollenbaugh had a great 2023 season, winning the Women's Eastern Amateur, making the quarterfinals of the Women's Western Amateur, and making the Round of 32 at the North and South Women's Amateur.
Morgan Ketchum finished in solo third place at 2-under, and Siuue Wu finished in solo fourth place at even-par. Ellen Hume and Alice Ziyi Zhao rounded out the top five at 4-over.
The South Atlantic Women's Amateur Championship, also known as the SALLY, dates back to 1926 and continues to field contestants worldwide. The weeklong event, usually held in January, is filled with great golf and lots of fun. In addition to the Championship tournament, Oceanside hosts the Johannsen Senior tournament. Oceanside is proud to be home to the SALLY, one of the country's oldest surviving amateur golf classics.
Current LPGA superstars like Lexi Thompson, Brooke Henderson, Jessica and Nelly Korda, and Ariya Jutanugarn have all come through The Sally. In all, fully half of the field will be elite amateurs and players from top-ranked college programs, including Wake Forest, Kent State, Florida, Arizona, and Alabama. Countries represented include Guatemala, Italy, Taiwan, Mexico, England, Spain and more.
