Medina’s Melanie Green captures state golf championship

Contributed Photo – Medina High sophomore Melanie Green meets here with her father, Ron Green, after capturing the state high school girls golf championship today at Bethpage, N.Y.

A third place finisher a year ago, Medina High sophomore Melanie Green claimed top honors this time around at the girls state high school golf championships held Saturday and today at Bethpage.

“I was really close last year so I really wanted to get this one,” said Green in a post match interview with state tourney officials. “It feels great, absolutely great. I played fine. I really like this course.”

Green went 2 under for today’s second round and finished the two day event with a total of 138 to win by two strokes.

“She was driven after finishing third last year so it’s not surprising she came back and won it,” said Medina golf Coach PJ Bell. “She just loves the game of golf and she just works so hard at it. She is 100 percent committed.”

Green was 4 under after Saturday’s opening round with a 68 and tied for first place with Kaitlyn Lee (Section 1). Today she was even after 15 holes but birdies 16 and 17 to go 2 under finishing with a round of 70. Lee finished at 3 over today and wound up five shots off the pace at 143.

Green, who advanced to the states by capturing a second straight Section VI title, finished ahead of Bailey Shoemaker (Section 4) who had  a two day total of 140. She was 7 under today after being 3 over at the end of the opening round.