Blog
Jul 14

Hoecker Claims Second RDGA Women’s Championship Title in Three Years

Jenna Hoecker hits her drive off the par-3 10th hole during the final round of the 2016 RDGA Women’s Championship Danielle E. Downey Memorial at Ridgemont Country Club on July 16. Hoecker earned her second RDGA Women’s title in three years, joining Sara Eichelberger as the only two-time winners of the Championship.

Each time Jenna Hoecker wins the RDGA Women’s Championship – twice, so far, following her victory in the 2016 Women’s Championship on July 16 – the Brook-Lea member is reminded of one thing.

“It feels really good to win this Championship,” she said. “It’s called the Danielle Downey Memorial – and I grew up watching her play, I played with her and followed her career. But getting the phone call about her accident is still one of the toughest things I’ve ever exeprienced.”

2016 RDGA Women’s Champion
Jenna Hoecker.
    

Although this year marked the seventh annual competition for the RDGA Women’s Championship title, it was just the third with the additional identification as the Danielle E. Downey Memorial – which was added in early 2014 following the tragic accident that took Downey’s life at age 33.

Of those three years as the Downey Memorial, however, Hoecker – whose father, Brook-Lea’s PGA Head Professional Jon Hoecker – has won the title twice.

“To win this tournament in her name is an honor,” she added.

In the final round of the 7th RDGA Women’s Championship Danielle E. Downey Memorial at Ridgemont Country Club on July 16, Hoecker posted a score of 4-over-par 76, for a two-day total of 9-over-par 153. Finishing in second place was Oak Hill’s Kristin Powers, with a 36-hole total score of 86-77–163.

Hoecker, who also won the 2014 RDGA Women’s Championship, joins fellow Brook-Lea member Sara Eichelberger as the only two-time winners of the Women’s Championship title.
 
Hoecker began the second and final round of this year’s Downey Memorial with a 7-shot lead over Chili Country Club’s Cindy Glitzer after posting a first-round 77 on Friday, July 15.
 
In Saturday’s final round, Hoecker continued her steady play, carding birdies on the difficult 12th and 18th holes to finish with a 76.
 
“The greens here are so small – sometimes you have to catch a break,” she said. “Fortunately, I putted well both days.”
 
Also helping her both days was her father, who took time out of his busy schedule to caddie for her – just as he did when she won the title in 2014.
 
“Having him with me was great,” Hoecker added. “He just gives me a different perspective sometimes – and helps me to focus.”
 
Also taking place during the RDGA Championship week at Ridgemont was the inaugural running of the RDGA Women’s Senior Championship, for players age 50 and over.
 
In the opening round of that championship, Ellen Weeks of Canandaigua took a 2-shot lead after posting an 87. Joy Florczak of Durand Eastman was second after an 89 on Friday.
 
But in the second round, Maggie Kril of Braemar Country Club posted a score of 82 for a 36-hole total of 172 to claim victory. Joy Florczak finished second after posting an 86 on Saturday for a 175 total. Weeks finished third at 181.
    
RDGA Women’s Senior Champion Maggie Krill is presented her champions trophy
by RDGA President Dan Overbeck, left, and Vice President, Mark Battle, right.

A special thanks to Ridgemont Country Club owner Jim Cucinelli, his family, staff and members for their hospitality to the RDGA and District Championship competitors all week – including an hors d’ouvres reception for players and guests following the final round.