For 15-year-old Kyra Cox, age is just a number.
The teenager from South Salem in Westchester County has spent part of her summer vacation upstaging older opponents. She won the 86th New York State Women’s Amateur Championship at the Tuscarora Golf Club in Marcellus on Thursday. Cox finished with a 217 over three days to win the tourney.
Cox was consistent, shooting 71, 74 and 72 on the par-72 course.
“It just feels great to win, especially at such a young age,” said Cox, who represents Centennial Golf Club in Carmel. “It’s really great to come out here after last year’s performance and win it all.”
With an even-par 72 on the third day, Cox edged out Lindsay May of Owasco Country Club by two strokes. May’s 1-under 71 wasn’t enough to sneak into first place.
“I knew I had to stay calm and stick to my game,” said Cox of the close finish.
Larissa Carter, a sophomore at Radford (Va.) University, held the lead entering the day, but finished in fourth after shooting a 9-over 81 on Thursday.
After she beat far older competitors, it’s easy to forget just how young Cox is. How she discovered her victory, though, reminds everybody that she is just 15.
“I found out [I won] after my dad told me when I shot par on the 18th hole. I was just so happy,” said Cox cheerfully. “It was one of my biggest wins ever.”