Ashley Gettleman’s desire to play golf in a competitive, well-run tournament inspired her to sign up for the inaugural Utah Girls Junior State Amateur Championship.

After a practice round, 18 holes of strokes play qualifying, and four head-to-head matches — totaling 108 holes — the incoming Scotts Valley High junior secured the biggest win of her young career.

Gettleman rallied on the back nine of her rollercoaster, match-play final to win the heralded event at Wasatch Mountain Golf Course on Wednesday.

Gettleman, a two-time Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion, beat No. 1 seed and BYU committed junior Aadyn Long 2 and 1 in the final.

Long, a two-time Utah Class 6A medalist from Lone Peak High, led 3-up after the first eight holes, but Gettleman won the first four holes on the back nine, and also the 15th hole, to take a 2-up lead.

“I was just thinking I really want to win,” said Gettleman, in a post-match interview with FOX 13 Salt Lake City. “I didn’t come and play 90 holes just to lose. I was on the back nine, and I was like, ‘Lets flip it around.’ I feel like I play better under pressure, when I’m chasing something. I was like, come on, Ashley, you’ve just got to push, go hard here, finish it through.”

Gettleman secured the title on the 17th hole, where the trophy presentation took place. Her parents were waiting on the 18th hole and missed the award ceremony. Still, plenty of photos were taken.

Gettleman has yet to celebrate with her crystal, vase-like trophy. Perhaps she’ll celebrate by drinking a Shirley Temples from it.

“That’s my signature drink,” she said. “I always have one when I’m out at Pasatiempo (Golf Club).”

Gettleman, the No. 6 seed after stroke play, pulled off three dominant victories to reach the final. She topped No. 11 Sage Parry 5 and 4 in the Round of 16, No. 3 Saydie Wagner 5 and 4 in the quarterfinals, and No. 10 Adley Nelson 4 and 2 in the semifinals.

Long, Nelson, Wagner were the top three finishers at the Utah High School 6A State Championships in May.

It was just the second match-play event Gettleman has competed in.

“My strategy coming in was play your own game, you’ll make some birdies, and don’t let the bad holes get to you,” she said.

As well as she was striking the ball, Gettleman said her best work was remaining mentally strong. She trailed by two holes through five in her semifinal win.

Her latest victory gave her full exemptions from American Junior Golf Association qualifiers. Now, she plans to compete in big AJGA events in Georgia and Florida.

Gettleman has a massive summer slate ahead of her as she looks to continue progressing and opening eyes of college recruiters. She begins play in the 74th California Junior Girls’ State Championship at Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach on Monday.

She also plans to compete in the 16th annual Future Champions Golf World Championship in Palm Desert on July 15-17, as well as the US Kids’ World Championship in Pinehurst, N.C., on Aug. 1-3.

“My game has changed a lot,” she said. “I’m growing with the tournaments I enter, playing in bigger leagues as I get better.”