ALEXANDRIA — At age 14, Bronx Esterline is proving she has both the skills and the grit to become a champion golfer.

Esterline, who started the week with the highest qualifying score of 1-under 70, was three shots ahead of second-place Luke Herker, whom he will face in the final of match play, and with this performance he became the golfer to beat in the Junior 13-15 category.

“Playing as a first-string player can make you a little nervous, but my carry Luke Crosby (a family friend) does a great job of keeping me calm,” Esterline said.

Esterline started the match with two wins of 5-4 and 6-5 to advance to the semi-finals and qualified for the championship by beating Will Hacker 2-1.

The final match proved even tighter with Esterline trailing by three holes in the final nine and then putting together a great run of golf with four birdies to secure the title.

“I remember being locked in and being the best I could be,” Esterline said. “(When I won), I could see my dad’s pride and joy. I even started crying a little bit with excitement.”

Reflecting on her journey as a young golfer to this day, Esterline expressed her gratitude for the sacrifices of her parents and the insights of her coach, which allowed her to devote so much time to the sport.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Resorters team for putting together such a fantastic tournament on a magnificent course.

“And the cheeseburgers were great,” Esterline said.

Esterline’s older brother, Lunden, won the last two Junior 13-15 age group titles and competed in the Boys Championship category this year.

The pilot, who plans to return to defend his title in 2025, aims to be more accurate with his driver.

Esterline beat Herker by 1-up

In a championship-worthy match, Bronx No. 1 seed Esterline and No. 2 seed Luke Herker gave it their all on the course in Saturday’s final, with the duo making a combined six birdies — four for Esterline and two for Herker.

Herker took an early lead in the final round with wins with pars on holes 1 and 4. Esterline retook the lead with a bogey on hole 5, but Herker was 2-up again with a birdie on hole 7. Esterline’s par on hole 9 cut Herker’s lead to one entering the final nine.

Herker extended his lead to 3-up with a birdie on the 10th hole and a par on the 11th. Esterline went on a terrific streak, winning four of the next five holes and taking a 1-up lead on the final two holes.

His winning streak included birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th holes and a par win on the 16th hole.

Herker tied the match with a par on the 17th hole, but Esterline clinched the victory with her fourth birdie in the last six holes – this one on the 18th hole.

Jake follows sports news in and around Alexandria.