Sometimes the hardest matches in golf, are the ones you’re expected to win. That’s exactly the spot former Catalina Foothills star Maya Benita was in when she teed off in last week’s Tucson City Junior Championship. Last year’s runner up took a 5 shot lead going into day two and hung on for a three shot victory. During an appearance on The Golf Arizona Show, Benita said, ”Due to the corona virus situation, I had a number of weeks to get my game in shape.”
After an opening round 66 at Dell Urich, Maya’s 72 at Randolph was more than enough for the big win. Benita, who has won a handful of long drive contests, said she was consistently 40 yards past her nearest rival…leaving her a wedge, when the other players had to hit a less lofted club.
Benita went outside of her comfort zone this spring and participated in a number of Cactus Tour events during the break…against a number of LPGA pros, including a few winners. “It was really fun. It was such a great experience to play in a field that was so difficult and so fun and so challenging. It was awesome”.
Maya, who is heading to the U of A in the fall, says she can’t wait to represent her home town. The Cat’s womens team returns a number of outstanding players, including Vivan Hou, the top ranked amateur golfer in the world. In spite of the stout lineup, Benita says “I hated sitting on the bench in soccer, and I fully expect to make the starting five next season.”
