Notre Dame Academy wins another sectional crown
EAST BRIDGEWATER — While raising her daughter Jillian 14 years ago, Pam Johnson felt that it would be best to take a break from the LPGA tour, so that she could focus on more pressing issues. It was a difficult choice, but in her eyes, family was paramount.
Eventually, their journey led them to Hingham, where the former pro was named the head golf coach at Notre Dame Academy prior to the 2021 season, and the motherdaughter duo has continued to carry on the program’s recent run of success.
Ellie de Andrade and Jillian Johnson would both go on to card an 85 on Monday, while sophomore Jacqueline Cingel registered a team-low score of 80, as Notre Dame secured the south sectional girls golf title for the sixth time in the last seven seasons at Ridder Farm Golf Course.
“I think some of (my players) have struggled this year,” Pam said afterward. “But I know they have it in them, where they can shoot a couple over par, even-par (and stay in it) every day.”
The Cougars had four golfers each finish within the top 10 individually, concluding with a combined score of 342. When the final results were counted, Notre Dame edged Duxbury by six strokes for first place at the tournament, and it was Cingel who sparked them to victory.
Facing a tough lie on the ninth hole, the sophomore decided to attempt a chip shot from 20 yards out, despite some early struggles.
When she connected, the ball landed about five yards from the pin, then slowly rolled to the hole and dropped for birdie.
“That just kind of got me going,” Cingel said. “I had a par here and there, had a few bogeys, so I was trying to hit my stride, stay positive.”
From there, the sophomore caught fire, before wrapping up the day with the second-best individual score at 10-over par. Jillian Johnson and de Andrade finished tied for fifth.
“I was hoping to get the lowest score, to be honest,” Cingel chuckled. “I was a bit annoyed that I was playing bogey going through the front, but I was happy to bounce back on the back nine following my birdie, having a lot more pars. That was fun.”
Hingham sophomore Piper Jordan finished with the top score in the field, as she shot 78 on the afternoon. Duxbury received stellar performances from Devyn Hanley, who closed her day with an 83, as well as Harper Capilli (84).
Notre Dame, Duxbury and Hingham all clinched berths in the state tournament, which will be held next Tuesday at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown.
Pam Johnson noted that states will likely come down to who performs best in short-game situations.
“They need to do some chipping and putting for sure,” said Johnson. “That’s been our weak link for everything, chipping and putting. Hopefully, we’ll get up there to play a practice round.”