14th WMC Golf – San Diego (USA) – Day 4
FRANCE'S PAULINE STEIN TRIUMPHS IN PLAYOFF TO SEIZE CISM WOMEN'S TITLE WHILE THE LOCAL SAILOR JACOB MELOCHE SECURES GOLD IN THE 14TH WMC GOLF; TEAM USA MEN AND WOMEN DOMINATES TOURNAMENT
SAN DIEGO (USA) - On October 7, 2023, golf enthusiasts witnessed a thrilling showdown on the greens of the Admiral Baker Golf Course at Naval Base San Diego, California. France's golf sensation, Pauline Stein, and USA's Melanie De Leon, hailing from Fort Cavazos, Texas, engaged in a nail-biting 18-hole duel, ultimately forcing a championship playoff in the women’s competition.
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Pauline Stein managed to seize the lead, securing her first CISM gold medal. Stein's consistency throughout the tournament was evident, maintaining an impressive 2-under par score and never straying above par in the four rounds.
Melanie De Leon, alongside her teammate Kimberly Liu from Minot AFB, N.D., clinched the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
The tournament featured four rounds of stroke-play golf, with teams consisting of three women (or men) each, where the top two scores contributed to the team tally.
Team USA, led by De Leon, Liu, and Margaret Gross of MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C., asserted their dominance from day one, culminating in a seven-stroke lead over Team France. This victory marked Team USA's historic 10th CISM Women's gold medal.
Team France, bolstered by outstanding performances from Stein, Marine Riguidel, and Josephine Farrando, kept the competition fierce and thrilling.
Team Germany secured the bronze medal with standout performances from Lisa Loeper, Ines Gohlke, and Marie Knebel.
Presenting the team medals was the legendary and most decorated CISM Golfer in history, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Linda Jeffery of Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Presenting the individual medals was the Commanding Officer and host of Naval Base San Diego, CAPT Robert Heely.
Final Team Results:
- USA - 582 (+6)
- FRA - 589 (+13)
- GER - 658 (+82)
Final Individual Results:
- Pauline Stein (FRA) 286 (-2)
- Melanie De Leon (USA) 287 (-1)
- Kimberly Liu (USA) 296 (+8)
In the men’s competition, Navy Lieutenant Jacob Meloche of Naval Base San Diego, California, made a triumphant debut at the prestigious Admiral Baker Golf Course in San Diego.
Meloche earned his place on the U.S. team after an outstanding performance at the Armed Forces Championship, also held at Admiral Baker.
Right from the outset, Meloche displayed exceptional skills, maintaining a commanding lead throughout the four-day tournament with an impressive score of 11-under par.
France's Maxime Mathey and Nicolas Muller mounted a valiant challenge, each finishing at 10-under by the tournament's end, securing silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Meloche, along with his teammates, Marine Capt Nicholas Brediger, Air Force 1st Lt Joesph Crisostomo, Air Force Tech Sgt. Kyle Wesolowski, Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian King, and Marine Staff Sgt. David Banks, took an early lead on day one and maintained their dominance.
Banks and Crisostomo turned in impressive performances, finishing five and four under par, while Brediger maintained an even score, contributing to Team USA's impressive 27-stroke lead over second-place France, securing the team gold.
France ended with a team score of 3-under, earning them the silver medal, while Team Ireland claimed the bronze.
Wesolowski and King, both tied at 5-over, faced off in an exciting playoff to determine the Senior Division winner, with Wesolowski ultimately emerging victorious. Ireland's Joe Hannigan secured the bronze in the senior's division.
Final Team Results:
- USA - 1122 (-30)
- FRA - 1149 (-3)
- IRL - 1183 (+31)
Final Individual Results:
- Jacob Meloche (USA) 277 (-11)
- Maxime Mathey (FRA) 278 (-10)
- Nicolas Muller (FRA) 278 (-10)
Final Seniors Division Results:
- Kyle Wesolowski (USA) 293 (+5)
- Brian King (USA) 293 (+5)
- Joe Hannigan (IRL) 298 (+10)
The 14th WMC Golf witnessed the participation of 17 nations, marking a record number of participating countries in CISM Golf Championship history.
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Final Results: Women Individual - Women Team - Men Individual - Men Team - Men Senior Individual
(Source: US Armed Forces Sports)
