Although the weather was most certainly not what she would have preferred, it seemed as if nothing could stop Exeter’s Giulia Weisser from achieving her goal.
On Monday, at a dreadfully soggy Golden Oaks Golf Club, Weisser shot a 2-over 74 to win the 2024 BCIAA Girls Individual Golf Championship in resounding fashion, as the sophomore was the only medalist to make three birdies over the course of the round.
“It’s such a great feeling,” Weisser said. “That was one of my top goals this season, to hopefully get the win at counties, and I’m so glad that it happened.”
The medalists at the 2024 BCIAA girls individual golf championship. From left, Giulia Weisser, Kyla Quimby, Erica Gerner, Abby McCaffrey, Kayla Hix and Alexandra Trevena. (ANDREW HELLER – READING EAGLE)
While the rain was steadfast for the entirety of the round, so was Weisser’s composure. After shooting a 2-over 38 on the front nine, Weisser held a two shot lead over Wilson senior Kyla Quimby at the turn as the slight drizzle became more of a steady downpour.
Having already made one birdie on the 296-yard, par-4 seventh, Weisser began the back nine with a par before birdieing the 374-yard, par-5 11th. She went on to make birdie on the 113-yard, par-3 13th and was the only medalist to have multiple birdies on the back nine with two.
“I’ve played in all kinds of different weather, but rain is always the worst because your grips are soaking wet,” Weisser said. “And this was the same weather that it was last year at counties so I’m used to it, but you still gotta grind through it.
“I knew that I just kept getting better. I was making birdies, and everyone just kind of started backing up a bit. I knew that I was in a groove and it was just great.”
Weisser teed off in the leadoff group that featured many strong performances and ultimately included the second through fourth place finishers.
Wilson’s Kyla Quimby at the 2024 BCIAA GIrls Golf Championship at Golden Oaks.First Group:Giulia Weisser; Kyla Quimby; Erica Gerner; Abby McCaffrey(BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Quimby earned second place with a 10-over 82 and Hamburg senior Erica Gerner won a playoff hole for third place by making a birdie on No. 1 and finishing with a 13-over 85.
Hamburg’s Erica Gerner at the 2024 BCIAA GIrls Golf Championship at Golden Oaks.First Group:Giulia Weisser; Kyla Quimby; Erica Gerner; Abby McCaffrey(BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Schuylkill Valley junior Abby McCaffrey placed fourth after also scoring a 13-over 85 but falling in the playoff with Gerner.
Schuylkill Valley’s Abby McCaffrey 2024 BCIAA GIrls Golf Championship at Golden Oaks.First Group:Giulia Weisser; Kyla Quimby; Erica Gerner; Abby McCaffrey(BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Rounding out the medalists were Hamburg junior Kayla Hix who made two birdies (one on the front and one of the back) and shot an 18-over 90 for fifth place and Conrad Weiser senior Alexandra Trevena who placed sixth with a 20-over 92.
Hamburg’s Kayla Hix at the 2024 BCIAA Girls Golf Championship at Golden Oaks.Second Group:Kayla Hix; Alexandra Trevena; Chloe Pridie(BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
In addition to the medalists, Wyomissing’s Addi Lecher (24-over 96), Oley Valley’s Chloe Pridie (25-over 97), Conrad Weiser’s Macy Snyder (25-over 97) and Reading High’s Aliha Toledo (29-over 101) all qualified for the district tournament after shooting 104 or better.
Conrad Weiser’s Alexandra Trevena at the 2024 BCIAA Girls Golf Championship at Golden Oaks.Second Group:Kayla Hix; Alexandra Trevena; Chloe Pridie(BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
After the round was over, Weisser made a point to congratulate her fellow group members and praise their play.
“I just wanted to shout out my players, Kyla, Erica and Abby, because they’re all great players, and we’ve all known each other for a while,” Weisser said. “It was a fun group today playing with them.”
Although the rain made for tantalizing conditions on and around the greens, Weisser’s short game was undeterred and helped propel her to victory.
With her score at 2-over par following a double bogey on the 291-yard, par-4 second hole, a long birdie putt on No. 7 helped give her some momentum. On the 11th, Weisser made birdie through an impressive chip-in on from the fringe. Her birdie on the 13th got her to even par at the time.
An avid putter, Weisser was able to handle the wet greens that began to develop puddles and had slower speeds with the ongoing precipitation.
“The chip-in on 11 was pretty cool; I wasn’t expecting to do that,” Weisser said. “Then just a few birdie putts that fell (were worthwhile). I made like a 20-footer on the seventh hole so that was pretty cool.
“Putting is my favorite thing. Getting used to the greens and finding my groove really helps get the feel down of the greens, and especially since they were starting to puddle at the end, you just had to start hitting it more (with power).”
For Eagles coach Drew Eckel, Weisser’s accuracy and consistency in all phases of the game has proven pivotal. Whether it’s making long putts or hitting a promising approach shot, Weisser’s mental fortitude appears to drive her exceptional play according to Eckel.
“She only missed one fairway all day so she hit the ball well off the tee,” Eckel said. “Her strong game is definitely getting up and down and making putts. I think she hit all but three or four greens in regulation, so just all around she didn’t hit any bad shots.
“She had a rough one on hole two, and got a bad lie on a downhill trying to chip in. She made double (bogey) and I don’t know if she made a double all season. So she bounced back. She’s just so resilient. No matter what happens, she’ll go and move on to the next shot.
“Honestly, she doesn’t always hit the ball the furthest, but she’s so consistent in hitting her second shots close, getting to the green and getting on top. I think more than anything, I’d have to say it’s her second shot, her long second shot. She’s able to hit a three wood or a five wood, and stick it to 10 or 12 feet, as opposed to having wedges, like some of these girls. She really battles. She’s small but powerful.”
Weisser had several members of the Exeter golf team walking along in attendance supporting her despite the rain. And heading into Wednesday’s BCIAA team tournament at Blackwood Golf Course, Weisser and the rest of the Eagles are hopeful that there is more success to come.
“More than even her game, it’s her attitude and willingness to be a good teammate (that is important),” Eckel said. “This year we had a great group of guys around her. Obviously, she led the way the whole year on the boys team. So that was great, but we really had a close knit group. She really was able to help them, and they were able to help her. If she comes out and does something like she did today at Blackwood, that puts us in the mix.”
“It’s truly been so exciting coming out here and winning counties as a sophomore and having my team here to support me too,” Weisser said. “It’s been a really exciting year, and there’s more to come.”
