Girls golf: Morris Tech junior outlasts weather and competition to repeat as MCT champion
Sammie Dolce was forced to battle more than just 47 other competitors to win another Morris County Tournament championship.
The Morris Tech junior golfer also had to outlast unseasonable cool and windy conditions to win her second straight MCT title.
Dolce recorded three birdies and fired a one-under-par 35 on the Blue nine at Flanders Valley Golf Course to finish seven strokes ahead of runner-up Caroline Fixter of Morristown, who was second for the second straight year.
“The wind was definitely a factor, especially in the beginning. It then died down and started up again,” said Dolce, a Florham Park resident.
“I tried to stay focused and having the right mindset under these conditions really helped. This is an amazing feeling. I’m very happy and proud to represent Morris Tech. I had a lot of fun with the girls out there today.”
It didn’t take long for Dolce to pull away from her group after shooting par on the opening hole. She birdied the second and proceeded to par the third and birdied the 292-yard par-4 fourth hole.
Mary Korab shot a 44 to finish third for the second year in a row and Juliette Hyde of Mendham was fourth with a 45.
“With wind being a factor, my strategy going in was to hit my iron shots a little lower and adjust to the wind by using different clubs,” Dolce said. “I also had to make sure I hit them straight. Right off the first tee box I had the right mindset going in. I stayed positive and had a great time with the girls. I was able to stay focused and didn’t let anything slip my mind. I just came out here with an open mind and had fun and played my game and that turned out to be a 35.”
The only blemish on Dolce’s scorecard came on the par-4 fifth hole and the par-3 eighth when she misfired with bogeys.
A year ago, Dolce captured her first MCT title when she fired an even-par 36 on the same course in her first varsity tournament after the pandemic wiped out her freshman campaign in 2020.
Dolce is no stranger to tournament competition and success. In addition to winning the 2021 MCT title, she finished second at the NJSIAA girls Tournament of Champions last spring and was the NJPGA's Junior Golfer of the Year in 2019.
Last year, Dolce verbally committed to Bowling Green (Ohio) State University after visiting the campus.
“I started tournaments when I was eight years old. My parents played golf and introduced me to the game,” Dolce said. “I’m having fun with it. Bowling Green contacted me and I went to visit and just fell in love with the school. I think it’s a great fit. I really liked the campus, team and atmosphere. I’m excited for what’s ahead and looking forward to see what I can accomplish going forward.”
Nick Gantaifis is a high school sports reporter for Dailyrecord.com and NJHerald.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.
Email: gantaifis@northjersey.com
Twitter: @ngantaifis1
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ high school girls golf: Morris County Tournament
