The bottles started popping at the 17th hole at the East Aurora Country Club, as the celebration began following Paul O’Brien, the development group leader, announcing the winner.
Colombia’s Santiago Russi had just won the 71st International Junior Masters Golf Invitational, defeating Canisius’ Joseph Bueme 3 and 1. Russi’s friends could not wait to celebrate, dousing him in water from their plastic water bottles.
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Santiago Russi, left, gets congratulations from Joseph Bueme after winning the Championship Flight final match in the International Junior Masters on Friday.
Russi came from another country hoping to return home a winner and he did with an ear-to-ear smile on his face. He seemed loose and comfortable the entire match, and it led to the biggest win of his career.
“I just played really good all weekend,” Russi said. “I was able to hit it right all weekend because the course was in perfect condition, and I just took advantage of what I had. I tried to hit the most greens possible and make pars. I tried to have fun all weekend and was excited when I won. I’ve never won this big of a tournament, so I’m just really excited.”
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Russi led the whole match and was up by as many as four after the fifth and 12th holes. He was able to execute his game plan of getting his shots on the green, while Bueme struggled. He was notably upset with himself after the 15th and 17th holes, because he wasn’t putting like he usually does. Before teeing off on the 16th hole, Bueme started practicing his swing as Russi teed off, because he knew putting was what was costing him.
“On the front nine, if you miss a couple, you’re like, ‘They’ll drop,’” Bueme said. “Coming on the back nine on 10, 11, and 12, they still weren’t dropping and I had to hope they were going to fall sometime soon. Then you get to 16 and 17 and they still weren’t going in and its like ‘Alright, putter is just off today.’ It sucks but you just have to get lucky when your putter is hot.”
Girls winner
Arabella Lopez of the U.S. beat Thailand’s Pavitida Raemmung 3 and 1, having led the entire match.
“I played well today,” Lopez said. “I was making a lot of birdies, so my putter was really working today. My opponent really kept me on my toes. I really had to fight for this one and I’m really happy because this wasn’t easy.
“I was on a hot streak making three birdies in a row and was relieved because its been a long day and I’ve played a lot of golf, but I was very happy and had a ton of fun. I had a great competitor because I love a good challenge.”
Other boys results
In the Platinum Flight, Junzhe Wang (U.S.) beat Parker Stalcup (U.S.) 2 and 1. Winning the Gold Flight was Oscar Ricketts (Ireland) 2 and 1 versus Barrett Paolini (U.S.). Alexander Hill (U.S.) won 5 and 3 over Drew Mancini (U.S.) to win the Silver Flight. Cole Thompson (Canada) beat Kevin Huang (China) 2-up for the Bronze Flight title.