First college title for Jessica Hall

Durham’s Jessica Hall won her first individual collegiate title at the Fresno State Classic at Belmont Country Club.

Jessica, who is in her senior year at California State University, Fresno, led the field with a third round of 70 and a six under-par total for the tournament. 

“I felt pretty calm all day – just played exactly the same golf as I played yesterday and went out there and hit every shot the same,” Jess told Action News after holing the final putt in the third round with her parents in attendance.

“It’s her last year, so we hoped it might happen,” said her mum Carolynne. “It’s her birthday tomorrow, so it’s been a good time. She’s been determined.”

“I said to her this morning, this is what she’s been working for for 15 years,” added her dad, Graham. “The opportunity to win something. You never know if you’ll be able to do it. In golf, you hope to get into position to win but you never know if you’re good enough to get over the line when the pressure is on. It’s just fantastic for her to get over the line.”

Holding a two-shot lead on the par five 18th, Jessica had 200 yards into the green for her third shot. Her approach just cleared the right bunker, giving her two putts to win by one over Hawaii’s Momo Sugiyama.

As a team, the Fresno State Bulldogs finished third in the event.