Matsuoka Wins Howard Smith Award
01/20/16 | Women's Golf
Oregon women's golf recruit Amy Matsuoka was named the recipient of the Howard Smith Award for having the lowest scoring average during the Toyota Tour Series. The invitation-only series was hosted by the Southern California PGA Junior Tour and consisted of 23 events during 2015.
“I'm truly honored and ecstatic to receive the Howard Smith Award from the SCPGA,” Matsuoka said. “I'm humbled to be associated with a golf icon like Mr. Smith who has paved the way for future generations to come. His dedication to the game, as well as his drive to grow junior golf, inspires me to follow his path.”
Matsuoka had a scoring average of 71.44 for the series and in her last events of the season, she had no over-par rounds and boosted an impressive three-tournament scoring average of 69.1.
The Newport Beach, Calif. product won two events and had four top-five finishes. She claimed her first win on Aug. 30 when she shot a 7-under 137 at the Golf Club of California at Fallbrook. She started the tournament off by shooting a 5-under 67 and followed that up with a 2-under 70 in the second round, winning the event by nine strokes.
She then picked up her second win in the series on Nov. 15 when she shot a 4-under 140 at the Morongo Golf Course at Tukwet Canyon. After shooting an even-72 in the first round, she shot a 4-under 68 in the second round to win.
“I'm looking forward to bringing my excitement, inspiration and love of golf next year to the Oregon women's golf team,” she added.
Matsuoka is a senior at Corona del Mar High School in Corona del Mar, Calif. She will be joining the Ducks in the fall of 2016.
