Tori Robinson breaks through with first TGA win

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — There was never any question as to the abundance of talent Tori Robinson possessed whenever she stepped onto a golf course. She had proven time and again that she had the game and the moxie to always be mentioned in the conversation when discussing the top junior golfers in Tennessee over the past few years.

There was still something missing, though, in her impressive résumé. Despite coming close several times, Robinson had yet to capture a statewide championship.

Granted, Robinson won the TSSAA Division II-A individual title her senior season last fall for Jackson’s Trinity Christian Academy after earning runner-up honors the previous year. But a series of near misses in full-field amateur events left her yearning to finally break through to hoist a championship trophy.

Robinson led after the first two rounds of this year’s Tennessee Girls’ Junior, only to finish second behind Isabella Coughlin. She also lost in a playoff to Addisyn Newman at the Tennessee Junior PGA, although she still qualified for the Junior PGA Championship later this month in Texas.

Then there was the disappointment last summer when she led the Tennessee Women’s Amateur entering the last day, finishing tied for 16th after a final round she would rather forget. Plus, Robinson posted a fourth-place tie in last year’s Tennessee Women’s Open while competing against professionals.

Her talent was obvious, but it seemed like she was relegated to the continued role of bridesmaid instead of the bride, coming up short when she was on the precipice of victory.

That is, until this week.

While competing against a talented field at Temple Hills Country Club in the 5th Tennessee Women’s Match Play Championship, Robinson put to rest all the frustration from those close calls in decisive fashion on Wednesday. Riding the momentum of her steady play after winning all four of her previous matches, she needed only 14 holes to dispose of Bella Bugg of Thompson’s Station by a final verdict of 6 & 4.

It wasn’t a matter of Bugg playing poorly in the championship final. Instead, it was the fact that Robinson was playing a stellar brand of golf that could not be derailed. The College of Charleston signee seized a 4-up lead after only six holes, never losing a single hole with three birdies and 11 pars.

In her last three matches that covered a total of 50 holes played, Robinson compiled 13 birdies against only three bogeys and one double bogey. She won a total of 29 holes in her five matches while losing only 11, leaving no doubt that she is a deserving champion.

“I just wanted to go out there and have fun this week,” Robinson said. “I think that’s kind of what I needed for my golf game, especially after coming in runner-up at the Junior Am. It was super fun and a good experience, for sure.”

Robinson credits a newfound confidence in her short game as one of the keys to her successful week.

“My wedges were honestly the best they’ve been in a while, and I think that’s what I’ve been missing the past few weeks,” Robinson said. “I got into a groove and was really dialed in on my irons today. My driver hasn’t been great, but I knew if I had a wedge in, I was going to be fine.”

Grabbing an early advantage that saw her make the turn with a 5-up cushion also helped remove any lingering doubts.

“After I got 2-up through four holes, I think my mindset kind of changed,” Robinson said. “I was like, ‘Let’s go! I’m gonna win this thing!’”

With her first Tennessee Golf Association title now safely secured, Robinson is looking forward to carrying her solid play into next week’s Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championship at Brentwood Country Club to gain a measure of redemption.

“I feel pretty good about my game right now, so I’m super excited for next week,” Robinson said. “Last year going into that last round at the Women’s Am I was just so in my head. If I had a bad hole, I just couldn’t get out of it. This year I’ve matured a lot in that area, and that has helped me a ton. I’ve learned to let go of a bad hole and tell myself I’m gonna make a birdie on the next one.”

For complete results from the Tennessee Women’s Match Play, click here.

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com.

This story was originally published in The Chattanoogan.