Stephanie Meadow and her International Junior Golf Academy coach Colby Huffman after her success at Saddlebrook, Tampa at the weekend (picture courtesy of Robert Meadow).

Stephanie Meadow wins by 10 shots on

her return to Junior Tour in Florida

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Former Irish girls' champion Stephanie Meadow from Antrim is now back at the International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island after a summer "back home," during which she played for Ireland in the girls' home internationals at Panmure Golf Club near Carnoustie.

Thanks to Stephanie's dad Robert for E-mail Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk with news of a terrific 10-stroke win by his daughter in her first International Junior Golf Tour event at Saddlebrook Golf Club, Tampa in Florida.

She shot 70 followed by a 65 (her lowest ever competititve) score) for a 135 aggregate which saw her finish out on her own in the girls section.

Her previous lowest round was 66 in the Doral Publix tournament in Maimi.

If you want to read the full report on the IJGT event, here's the website to log on to:

http://www.ijgt.com/twresults.php
If you want just to read the bit that deals with Stephanie's success, here it is:

Stephanie Meadow from Antrim, Ireland finished atop of the Girls 19 & Under Division by recording the divisional low round of 65. Meadow stated that her favorite club this weekend was her pitching wedge because shots that were hit with that club left her with putts of 8 feet or less.

Meadow shot even par in the first round and her scorching 65 left her with nothing but smiles and the title.

Rachel Carpenter from Suffolk, Virginia took second place with consistent rounds of 73 and 72 for a respective two day total of 145.
Audrey Monssoh from Los Angeles and Alexa Rancourt from Portland, Maine shared third place, both finishing at 147.
Congratulations to Mallory Etcheberry, Stephanie Meadow, Luke Miller, Jordie Torrent and Jason Roets who all fired low rounds on Sunday and received the coveted IJGT Belt Buckle.

Robert Meadow reports that Stephanie will be playing in South and North Carolina during the month of October. In November she will be playing in the Optimest International Tournament of Champions at PGA National Resort & Spa, Palma Beach Gardens in Florida.

The week before Christmas Stephanie will play in the Ginn Open LPGA qualifier at Ginn Reunion Resort, Orlando in Florida.

And the following week, she is down to play in the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship, Arizona.