Lady Hub senior Megan Thiravong adjusted on the fly as she worked with a new set of irons during the 30^th Annual Gold Medal Classic at Byron’s PrairieView Golf Club this past weekend.

With wind gusts reached as much as 45 miles per hour, approach shots proved challenging for many players including Thiravong, who overcame both the weather conditions and her new clubs to score consecutive rounds of 81-78-159 to win the Ladies Championship Flight. Thiravong bested local standout player Hui Chong Dofflemyer, who took second with 168.

“It’s an honor to compete with the ladies and have my name etched into the champion’s trophy for the 30th Anniversary of the Gold Medal Classic,” Thiravong said. “I’m thankful to have competed with Hui Chong Dofflemyer and Joanna Sharp because they are fabulous role models and women I look forward to competing against in the future… This tournament gave me an idea of what I need to work on before this summer including iron accuracy and swing form.”

A four-year varsity player and IHSA State Championship qualifier for Rochelle Township High School, Thiravong will be preparing to take her talents to Saginaw Valley State University next year. Thiravong’s offseason is well underway, with the 30^th Gold Medal Classic serving as her first notable win as she continues to gear up for the college level. Thiravong has been active on the Prep Tour, recently taking third in the Prep Tour event at Pontiac Elks with an 84. Megan’s younger sister Ailani also competed in the event, finishing sixth overall with an 87.

“I will move into my dorm in Michigan in August, which allows me only a couple months of practice before I train with my team,” Thiravong said. “Moving forward, my sister and I will be competing in various tournaments like the Prep Tour tournament series. I hope that she will surpass me soon as she will compete in the high school divisions as a sixth-grade student.”