There was wind and chilly conditions and, at times, rain. The golf course, without a doubt, presented a challenge.
The Section V Girls Golf Championships had the potential to turn ugly, but the Country Club of Rochester was the place to be for Victor junior Destiny Jodoin.
“It was the most beautiful course we were able to play,” Jodoin said.
Jodoin’s memories of Country Club of Rochester might take decades to fade. The two-time Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team member shared the lead after 18 holes and became a sectional champion for the first time after she pulled away during the second and final round to win by eight strokes.
There was another reason for Jodoin to celebrate as the Victor Blue Devils won the Section V team championship.
“It’s definitely unreal (after winning the team championship during Day One),” Jodoin said. “Having the final piece today, it was definitely a wholesome moment.”
There are eight other individual golfers who follow Jodoin to the high school state championships June 8-9, right here in Section Vat Wild Wood in Rush: junior Harper Dittman, sophomore Jennie Piao, seventh-grader Reagan Paolini, eighth-grader Allie Sherman, eighth-grader Jacey Neylon, senior Emma Sweazy, sophomore Emily Zigrossi and junior Lylah HerrNeckar. The Victor Blue Devils also advance to states, where they will play against other sectional champions.
“This state team this year, is going to be incredible,” Section V girls golf coordinator Julie Odenbach said before the season began in August. “I know all the women I play with, say they are so good.”
Believe it or not, as a junior, Jodoin is one of the older players among the state qualifiers. This is her fifth varsity season, after her arrival on the local high school girls golf scene as a seventh-grader. The next big tournament for her is in early December, when she plays in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour Girls 14-18/under 13 National Championship in Orlando.
“(This season) was an ‘A ha’ moment, all the work has paid off,” Jodoin said. “It was a big improvement from last year, but you have to keep grinding.
“It doesn’t matter what you shot that day. Tomorrow is a new day.”
Jodoin and Dittman shared the lead after the first round of the Section V Championships, when they shot a score of 83, 11-over-par. Piao was one shot back. Jodoin birdied two holes during the first round, including No. 3. She believed it was big help that she finished one-under at that hole for the tournament.
“It was a super tough green,” Jodoin said. “A lot of times, if you are above it, you roll back down to the bottom. A lot of big numbers on that hole.”
Jodoin opened her second round with the first of three birdies, sending her on the way to a score of 76.
“A great start to the day, a boost of confidence, a way to get myself off on the right foot,” Jodoin said.
Jodoin played the course three times before, including a practice round four days before sectionals. “It’s written on my notes don’t be long (at the No. 3 green).”
“Looking at that trophy with all the names on it, definitely filling some big shoes,” Jodoin said.
“It’s been my best season, a lot of up and downs, some scores I wish were lower but at the end of the day, grateful for how the season ended up.”
Section V state qualifiers
The girls golf state championships take place during the spring season at Wild Wood.
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Destiny Jodoin (Victor) 83-76 – 159
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Harper Dittman (Fairport) 83-84 – 167
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Jennie Piao (The Harley School) 85-85 – 170
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Reagan Paolini (Churchville-Chili/Hilton) 88-86 – 174
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Allie Sherman (Spencerport) 89-92 – 181
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Jacey Neylon (Churchville-Chili/Hilton) 93-92 – 185
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Emma Sweazy (Rush-Henrietta) 87-98 – 185
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Emily Zigrossi (Spencerport) 89-96 – 185
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Lylah HerrNeckar (Victor) 98-92 – 190
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Section V team champion: Victor, Emma Sullivan, Kelly Wightman, Raegan French, HerrNeckar and Jodoin.
Alternates: Raegan French (Victor) 92-99 – 191; Addie Puccia (Penfield) 93-98 – 191; Kadyn Hartel (Rush-Henrietta) 97-97 – 194.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Destiny Jodoin and Victor win Section V girls golf championships
