Phillips finishes on top

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
June 4, 2004
While she didn't have the best round of her young golfing career, Leigh Phillips of Meridian steadily pulled away from the competition to win the Mississippi Women's Golf Association Junior Girls Amateur Championship by 21 strokes Thursday at Briarwood Country Club.
Phillips, a rising senior at Lamar School, shot a 3-over par 77 in the second round to finish with a 2-over 150 for the tournament.
Uncharacteristically, she had no birdies over the second 18 holes after getting five on Wednesday.
Phillips parred all four par 3s in winning the junior girls state am for the first time. It was her fourth attempt in the older age division as she played up during her 13-15 years. She entered Thursday's round with a commanding 13-stroke lead.
Being a member at Briarwood may have had Phillips feeling pressure to win previously, even though there may have been more talented players at that time.
Shauna Allen of Greenville was second at 171 after shooting 85 Thursday. Mary Kate Byrne of Natchez placed third at 184.
Britany Hanna of Pontotoc won the 13-15 age division by seven strokes over Florence's Shelby Sandifer. Hanna shot a 42 Thursday, while Sandifer had a 43. Kori Dunn took third place with a 126.
Mary Langdon Gallagher won the 10-12 age group by 27 strokes. Langdon shot a 2-over par 39 Thursday to finish with a two-day score of 82. Adrian Culpepper of Madison was second at 109, followed by Hope Biggs of Clinton at 121, Abby Tucker at 132, and Whitney Smith at 140.