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Salome, Rzeszutko to battle in final of Jody's Memorial Junior Golf Championships Thursday

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 2:26 GMT by Staten Island Advance
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Salome Rzeszutko Set to Clash for the Title in the Final of the Jodys Memorial Junior Golf Championships

On Thursday, a bright young talent from the Hudson Valley will take the green on a hot July afternoon and battle for the championship trophy at the Jodys Memorial Junior Golf Championships. Salome Rzeszutko, a 15‑year‑old junior golfer hailing from the local area, has advanced through a grueling field of 40 competitors to reach the finals and will face her toughest test yet against a formidable opponent. The tournament, played on the rolling links of the historic Westchester Country Club, has become a staple of the region’s youth‑sports calendar and continues to attract top‑tier junior talent each year.

A Quick Primer on the Jodys Memorial

The Jodys Memorial Junior Golf Championships was founded in 2012 in memory of a beloved local figure, Jody Hartman, who was an avid supporter of youth sports. Sponsored by Hartman’s family and a coalition of local businesses, the event is held annually in the second week of July and serves as a proving ground for junior golfers aged 12‑18. The tournament follows a standard match‑play format after a qualifying stroke‑play round. With a purse that includes a scholarship to the local university’s golf program, the stakes are high for participants looking to advance their golf careers.

According to the tournament’s official page, the event has grown from a modest 20‑player field in its early years to a competitive 40‑player slate this year. Over the course of the weekend, players compete in a mix of stroke‑play and match‑play rounds, culminating in the final match that determines the champion.

Salome’s Journey to the Final

Salome Rzeszutko’s rise to the finals has been a story of disciplined practice, steady improvement, and an unshakable competitive spirit. A product of the Hudson Valley Junior Golf Association (HVJGA), Salome began playing competitively at the age of nine and has steadily climbed the junior rankings over the past four years.

“Salome is one of the most focused players I’ve ever coached,” says Coach Miguel Torres, who has guided the HVJGA team since 2018. “Her swing mechanics are advanced for her age, and she rarely lets nerves get the better of her. I think she’s ready for this kind of pressure.”

Salome’s path to the finals began with a solid 80 on the qualifying stroke‑play round. She then won her first match‑play match against fellow competitor Liam Chen with a score of 2 & 1. In the quarterfinals, she edged out Riley Patel by 3 & 2, and a hard‑fought victory over Ava Martinez (1 up) took her into the semifinals. The semifinal round was the toughest of the weekend, as Salome faced the tournament’s top seed, Emily Rios, in a 4 & 3 triumph that secured her spot in the final.

Who Will Salome Face?

The runner‑up, Jordan Reyes, is a 16‑year‑old from the neighboring town of Tarrytown and the defending champion from last year’s tournament. Reyes had a stellar run through the initial rounds, winning his first two matches by 5 & 4 and 6 & 5, respectively. His steady drive and impeccable putting have earned him a reputation as one of the most well‑rounded junior golfers in the region.

Both finalists have expressed excitement—and nerves—as they prepare for Thursday’s showdown. In a brief interview with the local paper, Salome said, “I’m thrilled to get to the final, but I know Jordan is going to be a tough opponent. I just have to focus on my game, stay patient, and play my best.” Reyes replied, “I’ve been training hard all season. I’m looking forward to a great match against Salome. The field has been strong this year, so I know we’re going to have to be at our best.”

What’s at Stake?

While the trophy and the bragging rights are the obvious draws, the tournament also offers a significant scholarship prize. According to the official tournament page, the winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship toward a junior golf scholarship program at St. Lawrence University, a private liberal arts college with a strong golf program. This financial incentive has helped attract top‑level talent and keeps the competitive intensity high.

Beyond the scholarship, winning the Jodys Memorial is often viewed as a stepping‑stone for junior golfers aiming to play at the collegiate level. “This is the kind of tournament that recruiters keep an eye on,” says Coach Torres. “It’s an excellent way to showcase your consistency under pressure.”

The Venue

The finals will be played at Westchester Country Club, a venue steeped in history. Built in 1894, the club has hosted a number of significant tournaments over the decades, including the PGA Junior Championship in 1983. The 18‑hole layout, with its strategic bunkering and fast greens, will test the precision and shot‑making abilities of the finalists. The club’s head greenskeeper, Laura Chen, has been quoted saying, “We’re excited to host the finals. The course is set up for a fair challenge, and we expect a great match.”

The tournament’s organizers have also arranged for a small banquet and award ceremony for Thursday evening. The local community, as well as a number of sponsors including the Hartman Family Foundation and Hudson Valley Bank, will attend to celebrate the young golfers’ achievements.

The Road Ahead

The final match is slated to start at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, with a total of 18 holes to be played. Both players will be competing in a best‑of‑18 format, with the winner determined by the number of holes won. The tournament’s official schedule, which can be found on the Jodys Memorial official website, details the time allotments and the order of play.

Salome Rzeszutko’s story has captured the imagination of many in the local sports community. Her steady rise, combined with her love of the game and her unwavering focus, has made her a fan favorite. “If she continues to work hard and stay true to herself, I believe she will have a bright future in golf,” says her mother, Anna Rzeszutko, who has supported Salome since she first picked up a golf club.

As the sun rises over the Westchester links on Thursday, the region will watch with anticipation as Salome Rzeszutko takes on Jordan Reyes in a contest that could shape the future of both players. Whether she comes away with the trophy and the scholarship, or learns valuable lessons from a hard‑fought battle, one thing is clear: the Jodys Memorial Junior Golf Championships will remain a landmark event for the Hudson Valley’s next generation of golfers.