2024 Women's Section Championship
Congratulations to Gioia Carpinelli on winning the championship flight of the Women's Section Championship, and to Leslie Spalding, PGA, on winning back-to-back Women's Section Championships in the Senior Flight
SANTA BARBARA, CA — The Women’s Division season comes to an end as the final round of the Southern California PGA Women’s Section Championship concluded Wednesday at the Valley Club of Montecito.
Gioia Carpinelli, a PGA Associate from Virginia Country Club, is the 2024 Women’s Section Champion after posting a two-day total of 2-under-par 144 to win her first Championship title.
Entering the final round, Carpinelli was two shots back from day one leader Erika Ilagan, PGA, but was able to quickly catch up after an eagle on hole #2 and a birdie on hole #3. Carpinelli finished her final round with a 1-under-par 72 to match her first-day total and win the championship by three shots over the field. Dr. Alison Curdt, PGA, produced the low-score of the day with a 5-under-par 68 to finish T-3. Illagan finished in second place with a 1-over-par 147 total.
“I’m so excited to be holding this trophy,” said Carpinelli. “I saw the championship would be hosted at The Valley Club of Montecito, and I wanted to sign up as fast as I could because I wanted to play here. I’m so happy to be walking away with the trophy. I had the best time, and I really want to thank the members of The Valley Club of Montecito for hosting this event.
Leslie Spalding, PGA, Life Member Active, completed the back-from-behind victory to claim back-to-back championships at the SCPGA Women’s Section Championship Senior Flight with a two-day total of 3-over-par 149. With back-to-back wins for Spalding, she now is tied for the most wins for the Women’s Section Championship in the Senior Flight (Bari Brandwynne; 2020, 2021).
“I’m super proud to win my second Women’s Section Championship for the Senior Flight,” said Spalding after the award ceremony. “Playing The Valley Club of Montecito for a championship – there is nothing better, the greens are a dream. When you get to play a course like this that is so pure and so true, it makes it for an incredible championship experience.”
A big thank you to The Valley Club of Montecito, its members and staff, and to Scott Puailoa, PGA, and Nicholas Yannotti, PGA, for hosting this championship.
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