Vakasiuola Wins Her Kachina, At Last — 52nd Arizona Women's Am Wraps Up

Terravita Golf & Country Club — A year after falling just one stroke short, Alexis Vakasiuola returned to finish the job.

On Saturday at Terravita Golf & Country Club, the 18-year-old claimed the 52nd Arizona Women's Amateur Championship, earning her first-career Kachina Trophy, an exemption into the 126th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship and redemption after last year's championship.

This week, the rising sophomore golfer at Grand Canyon University put together rounds of 70-71-73 to secure the championship, overcoming a dramatic finish which tested her composure until the very last putt.

Vakasiuola was the tournament leader through round two, placing her in the final group on Saturday morning. Holding a three-shot lead on the 18th tee, Vakasiuola's drive disappeared in the desert, forcing her to return to the tee under stroke-and-distance relief.

Her second tee shot was salvageable, leading to a remarkable punch shot out of the desert before draining a lengthy bogey putt to officially secure the title.

RESULTS | PHOTOS

"I actually didn't know where I was standing coming into 18," Vakasiuola said. "Maybe I would've taken a different approach off the tee, but obviously nerves are high, and I knew it was the last hole. I was able to punch out pretty well and had about a 10-footer left for my bogey. I just figured I might as well give it my best shot, and if it goes in, it goes in. I hit probably my best stroke all day, and it went in, so it was awesome. Especially in front of all those people, it was really nice to have the support as well."

As the final putt dropped, family and friends rushed to celebrate, greeting the new champion with cheers and a celebratory water shower as she walked off the 18th green.

The victory also earned Vakasiuola an exemption into the 126th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, which will be contested this year at The Honors Course in Hamilton County, Tennessee.

"Getting the exemption means so much to me,” she said. “USGA events are just top tier, and the best players all over the world compete. Just to be there and represent Arizona and my roots means a lot."

Throughout the week, Vakasiuola displayed exceptional consistency on one of the state's toughest championship tests. Terravita Golf & Country Club proved every bit as demanding as expected, producing just 274 birdies and six eagles compared to 1,038 bogeys-or-worse across the championship. Vakasiuola managed nine birdies during the tournament while staying patient on a course where minimizing mistakes proved just as valuable as making birdies.

"It's tight off the tee, and also the greens are pretty tricky as well,” she explained. “I just told myself that the scores might not be as low, so any score I can do, just try and do my best and keep it up there at the top."

Having her support system alongside her throughout the championship made the moment even more meaningful. Vakasiuola's older sister, Alyzzah, also competed in the tournament, finishing 13th in the Championship Division. 

"It was just nice having the whole family here. There are some tournaments where most of my family can't make it, but just having the support there and knowing they're always rooting for me, I just wanted to do my best,” she said.

While the significance of the victory was still sinking in, Vakasiuola reflected on what capturing her first Arizona Women's Amateur title meant after coming so close a year ago.

"It means so much. Right now I can't grasp the whole thing, but later today I'm going to be like, 'Oh my gosh, I just won it.' It's very special. I played in it last year and finished runner-up, but to get the win under my hands, it just feels great."

In the Field Division, Jennifer Niebling took home the trophy, after carding a final round net 73, to finish the tournament +2 at net.

As one chapter closes, another is already on the horizon. AZ GOLF is excited to announce the 53rd Arizona Women's Amateur Championship will be hosted at FireRock Country Club, where another field of the state's top female amateur players will compete for the coveted Kachina Trophy in 2027.

Notable

• There are two pairs of siblings in the field, Alexis and Alyzzah Vakasiuola and Kirsty and Amy Hodgkins. 
  
• Kelsey Chugg took home the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship title in 2017.
• There were 7 rounds under par in the final round, adding up to a total of 19 rounds under par for the week.
• Though there are no former champions in this year's field, TCU's Gracie McGovern returns as the runner-up from the 51st Arizona Women's Amateur. Alyzzah Vakasiuola was in the final pairing last year.
  
• The easiest hole of the day was the par-5 16th, with a scoring average of 4.98. 
• The title of hardest hole belonged to the par-5 5th, with a scoring average of 5.98. 
• Carolyn Cook is the only player in the field who is a member at Terravita.
  
• 5 players in the field are 14 years old, with Beau Ellington as the youngest. Carolyn Cook is the oldest in the field, at 67. 
  

Quotable

• "I think it's great because she is my older sister and she doesn't get to play as much, but I’m glad we get to play in a tournament together and show up at the course together, and there's always someone out there that you know just wants the best for you. It's really great, and I’m supporting her too, I want her to do good too." - Alexis Vakasiuola, on competing in the Championship Division with her older sister, Alyzzah.
• "I wanted to come and see how I would do in the heat - I'm not used to this so it's a good challenge. We have traveled quite the distance, and winning would open opportunities for my future." - Faith Vui, on her travels from Samoa to Arizona for the 52nd Arizona Women's Amateur Championship.

• "Today I hit more of my shots on the green, and closer, and I felt confident with the putter more than yesterday and i just had more putts dropping today. So that was key to making my round low."  - Ashley Malko, after carding a 69 on Friday to push her to 4th place.

• "The practice round was my first time playing here. The course is in great shape, the greens are really nice." - Maddison Moltich on the course conditions at Terravita Golf & Country Club this week.

About Terravita Golf & Country Club
One of Scottsdale’s most prominent private golf clubs, Terravita features a newly renovated 18-hole championship course framed by the Sonoran Desert and Black Mountain. Originally designed by Billy Casper, renowned architect Phil Smith oversaw the renovation that included upgrades such as USGA-spec greens, re-contoured fairways, modern tee boxes, and a state-of-the-art irrigation system for year-round playability. The Director of Agronomy, Ed Shimkus, brings over 30 years of expertise and exacting standards that keep the course in exceptional condition every day.

About AZ GOLF
Founded in 1923, AZ GOLF is a nonprofit dedicated to serving and advancing the game of golf in Arizona. We engage our community through championships and tournaments, player development, education, and outreach while providing official USGA Handicap Indexes to golfers statewide. With more than 550 member clubs and golfers of all ages and abilities, we are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive golf community and ensuring the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.