Hartwiger Victorious at 36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship
Gulf Shores, Ala. – Kathy Hartwiger, of Birmingham, Alabama won her first WSGA Senior Amateur Championship on Wednesday at Craft Farms Golf Resort, in the 36th edition of the championship. She played the Cypress Bend course at 3-under-par 213 for 54 holes.
Hartwiger sat tied for second after round one but rounds of two-under 70 and one-under 71 pushed her to a four-shot victory. Hartwiger’s final round was especially impressive, firing the only under-par score in Wednesday’s final round. The 10-time Alabama Women’s Amateur champion started with a pair of bogeys and one birdie on her opening nine. However, her closing nine holes included some of her best golf of the week. Hartwiger rolled in two birdies on holes 11 and 15 for a bogey-free back nine.
Kim Keyer-Scott of Estero, Florida, Marilyn Hardy of Magnolia, Texas and Mina Hardin of Fort Worth, Texas tied as runner ups after finishing at 1-over 217 total for the week.
Championship Division - Super Senior Champion
Beatriz Arenas of Wellington, Florida claimed the title of Super Senior Champion in the Championship Division finishing with a 54-hole total of 14-over par 230. Tied for second were Jewell Malick of Heath, Texas and Taffy Brower of Boynton Beach, Florida, both posting 54-hole scores of 27-over par 243. Both Malick and Brower are past WSGA Super Senior Champions.
Tournament Division
In the Tournament Division, Pam Posey of Bailey, Mississippi posted a 54-hole score of 11-over par 227, a total of five strokes ahead of runner up Maria Malone of Greensboro, North Carolina. In third place, Susan Miller of Loudon, Tennessee finished with a 54-hole score of 21-over par 237.
In the Tournament First Flight Division, Tracie Tolbert of Jackson, Mississippi posted a 54-hole score of 31-over par 247, a one stroke difference between runner-up Sherry Fox of Montgomery, Texas. In third place, Mary Payne of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia finished with a 54-hole score of 34-over par 250.
Champion of the Tournament Second Division came down to a scorecard tie-break between Paula Moore of Star City, Arkansas and former WSGA president Donna Meyer of Houston, Texas - both posted a 54-hole score of 39-over par 255. With her final-round 18-hole score of 81, it was Moore who claimed the victory. In third place, Diane Dillard of Montgomery, Texas finished with a 54-hole score of 42-over par 258.
In the Tournament Third Flight Division, Kerinda Rutledge of Birmingham, Alabama posted a 54-hole score of 56-over par 272, a two stroke difference between runner-up Karen Jahimiak of Estero, Florida.
Tournament Division - Super Senior Winner
Harriet Cauthen of Orange Beach, Alabama was named the Super Senior Champion in the Tournament Division, finishing with a 54-hole score of 48-over par 264. Runner up, Suzzette Kirchner of Tomball, Texas finished with a 63-over par 279.
The Women’s Southern Golf Association extends its most sincere gratitude to Craft Farms Golf Resort, including its staff and members, for all their hard work in creating such a welcoming atmosphere and memorable championship week. Special thanks are due to General Manager Chad Leonard, Head Golf Professional Ryan Mello, and Superintendent Jason Baumeister and his wonderful grounds crew. The 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship would not have been possible without their efforts.
For more information on the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship, click here.
36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship
October 6, 2021
Craft Farms Golf Resort – Cypress Bend
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Final Round Results
Par 72
Championship Yardage: 5,903
Tournament Yardage: 5,366
Hartwiger Leads 36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship after 36 Holes
Gulf Shores, Ala. – Kathy Hartwiger is 18 holes away from winning the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship. The Alabama resident fired a tidy 2-under-par 70 in Tuesday’s second round at Craft Farms Golf Resort. Hartwiger started the day two shots back and now leads Texas’s Mina Hardin by two shots headed into Wednesday’s final round.
Play was suspended for a total of 1 hour and 52 minutes in the late afternoon due to lightning in the area during Tuesday’s second round.
Hartwiger, who posted three birdies Tuesday on the par-5 13th hole, is no stranger to success in her home state, having won 10 state amateur titles over three decades. She won her first state amateur title in 1999 and then ran off six consecutive titles from 2002-2007. Hartwiger added three more titles from 2010-12. She won her record 21st state title in July when she captured the Alabama Women’s State Senior Match Play Championship.
Her biggest win came on the national stage when she won the 2002 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Hartwiger is one of nine Alabama residents in the field. Through 36 holes of the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship, she sits atop the leaderboard at 2-under 142.
In Contention
Sitting alone in second place is Mina Hardin, one of Texas’s fiercest competitors and longtime supporter of amateur golf in Texas. Hardin, round one co-leader, followed up her 1-under-par 71 with a second-round score of 1-over-par 73. She’s posted an even-par 144 through 36 holes.
Kim Keyer-Scott from Estero, Florida and round-one co-leader, Marilyn Hardy from Magnolia, Texas are one shot behind Hardin and three behind Hartwiger at 1-over-par 145. Keyer-Scott made three birdies and Hardy made two birdies on their way to a 1-over 73 in the second round.
Three players share a piece of fifth place at 4-over 146, including the 2016 Alabama Golf Association Senior Player of the Year, Susan West.
The final round of the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship starts Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. For more information, click here.
36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship
October 5, 2021
Craft Farms Golf Resort – Cypress Bend
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Round 2 Results
Par 72
Championship Yardage: 5,903
Tournament Yardage: 5,366
Two Texans Tied for Lead after Round 1 at 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship
Gulf Shores, Ala. – The first round of the 36th annual Women’s Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship began Monday at 1:00 p.m. after play was suspended for a total of 5 hours and 30 minutes due to inclement weather and dangerous conditions in the area. The course recovered exceptionally well and stood tall against some of the best senior amateurs hailing from the southern states.
Mina Hardin of Fort Worth, Texas and Marilyn Hardy of Magnolia, Texas share the first-round lead of the 36th Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship after turning in a phenomenal 1-under-par 71 at Craft Farms Golf Resort’s Cypress Bend course. Hardy and Hardin, the only players to finish under par, hold a one-shot lead over three others heading into Tuesday’s round.
In Contention
A stout field of experienced players are chasing the two Texans including Alabama native Kathy Hartwiger who sits tied for second. Hartwiger put together a strong round of even-par 72 to begin her charge for victory.
Also sitting tied for second are Kim Keyer-Scott of Estero, Florida and Gigi Higgins of Cape Coral, Florida. They will begin Tuesday one shot back of Hardy and Hardin after carding rounds of even-par 72 on the classic links-style course.
Jayne Pardus of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Kimbra Benson of Leonardtown, Maryland sit tied sixth after carding rounds of 1-over-par 73.
This is the second Women’s Southern Golf Associations Senior Amateur Championship contested at Craft Farms Golf Resort, having played host to the 33rd annual championship in 2019. Among the eight past champions in the field looking to add their name to the Katharine Graham trophy for an additional time.
Golf Course
A perfect complement to its big sister, Cotton Creek, Cypress Bend has a coastal feel as it traverses a unique system of cord-grass accented lakes which come into play on nearly every hole. The Arnold Palmer-design offers 18 holes of spectacular golf, featuring staggered tee boxes, large undulating greens, sprawling bunkers and year-round lush and green conditions. The first round of the WSGA Senior Championship was played from 5903 yards in the Championship Division and 5366 yards in the Tournament Division.
The second round of the WSGA Senior Amateur Championship starts Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. For more information, click here.
36th Women’s Southern Senior Amateur Championship
October 4, 2021
Craft Farms Golf Resort – Cypress Bend
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Round 1 Results
Par 72
Championship Yardage: 5,903
Tournament Yardage: 5,366
Hinson-Tolchard, Connelly Win Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur
Lake Worth, Fl. – Oklahoma State University’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard emerged victorious to win her first Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur Championship. Hinson-Tolchard says her putting “got me over the line” in her match; she poured in five birdie putts on her way to winning the final match. After many months of practice, Hinson-Tolchard was very excited to see her hard work finally paying off and it made for a very special win.
Co-Medalist and top seed Tara Connelly drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole to claim the Mid-Amateur Championship. In the Mid-Amateur First Flight, Jewell Malick battled back to win 1 up on the 18th hole after losing her 3 up lead on the 17th.
Leaderboard
| Amateur – Final Match | |||
| Maddison Hinson-Tolchard | def. | Taylor Roberts | 5 and 4 |
| Mid-Amateur – Final Match |
|||
| Tara Connelly | def. | Kim Keyer-Scott | 1 up |
| Mid-Amateur – First Flight Final Match |
|||
| Jewell Malick | def. | Lecia Alexander | 1 up |
Golf Course
The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1983 and sitting on 170 acres, is one of the most luxurious and beautiful private clubs in Florida. The club, originally designed by Gentleman Joel Lee and upgraded by Kipp Schulties in 2007 to feature Mini-Verde greens. The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches served as host to the prestigious 2018 Florida Women’s Amateur Championship and 2021 Men’s Southern Invitational.
Weather
Consistent temperatures in the low 80s throughout the morning. The final round saw another beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze 10-15 mph out of the east by southeast.
In Contention
Florida State University’s Taylor Roberts was awarded the Amateur Championship Finalist after a tough match against Amateur Champion Hinson-Tolchard. In the Mid-Amateur Division, the 2020 WSGA Senior Amateur Champion, Kim Keyer-Scott claimed the Mid-Amateur Finalist after trading the lead all morning in a very close match with Mid-Amateur Champion Connelly. Mid-Amateur First Flight Finalist, Lecia Alexander, fought hard to erase Malick’s 3 up lead on the 17th, but Malick prevailed in the end.
What’s Next
The Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship will be hosted at WinStar Resort and Casino October 5-7, 2021. The Women’s Southern Golf Association would like to extend our immense gratitude to the staff and members of The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches for hosting and making this event memorable for all who took part.
For more information on the 2021 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur, click here.
Finals Set For Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships
Lake Worth, Fl. – Oklahoma State University’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard and Florida State University’s Taylor Roberts are set to face off for the title of Women’s Southern Amateur Champion. Hinson-Tolchard upset the Medalist and top seed Jenny Kim in 20 holes to move onto the final match while Roberts defeated the University of South Florida’s Ashley Zagers 6 and 5.
In the Mid-Amateur Division, Co-Medalist and top seed Tara Connelly will battle for the Mid-Amateur Champion against the 2020 WSGA Senior Amateur Champion Kim Keyer-Scott. Connelly won her Semifinal match against Dawn Woodard 4 and 3, while Jewell Malick bested Cindy Gilkeson on the 18th hole to win 1 up. Lecia Alexander and Jewell Malick tee it up tomorrow morning for the Mid-Amateur First Flight Winner.
| Amateur – Semifinal Matches | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maddison Hinson-Tolchard | def. | Jenny Kim | 20 holes |
| Taylor Roberts | def. | Ashley Zagers | 6 and 5 |
| Amateur – Quarterfinal Matches | |||
| Jenny Kim | def. | Jillian Bourdage | 1 up |
| Maddison Hinson-Tolchard | def. | Lisa Marie Rudometkin | 5 and 4 |
| Taylor Roberts | def. | Kayla Holden | 20 holes |
| Ashley Zagers | def. | Morgan Pankow | 3 and 2 |
| Mid-Amateur – Semifinal Matches | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tara Connelly | def. | Dawn Woodard | 4 and 3 |
| Kim Keyer-Scott | def. | Wendi Christensen | 2 and 1 |
| Mid-Amateur – Quarterfinal Matches | |||
| Tara Connelly | def. | Nancy Beck | 4 and 3 |
| Dawn Woodard | def. | Sarah Gallagher | 3 and 2 |
| Wendi Christensen | def. | Anna Schultz | 3 and 1 |
| Kim Keyer-Scott | def. | Heather Wall | 1 up |
| Mid-Amateur First Flight – Semifinal Matches | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecia Alexander | def. | Mimi Hoffman | 4 and 3 |
| Jewell Malick | def. | Cindy Gilkeson | 1 up |
| Mid-Amateur First Flight – Quarterfinal Matches | |||
| Mimi Hoffman | def. | Mary Payne | 3 and 2 |
| Lecia Alexander | def. | Melissa Gotfredson | 19 holes |
| Cindy Gilkeson | def. | Sherry Fox | 3 and 1 |
| Jewell Malick | def. | Kathie Westlund | 3 and 2 |
Golf Course
The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1983 and sitting on 170 acres, is one of the most luxurious and beautiful private clubs in Florida. The club, originally designed by Gentleman Joel Lee, was upgraded by Kipp Schulties in 2007 to feature Mini-Verde greens. The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches served as host to the prestigious 2018 Florida Women’s Amateur Championship and 2021 Men’s Southern Invitational.
Weather
Temperatures started out in the low 80s and rose to a high of 89 by late afternoon. Winds were steady at 10-15mph out of the east by southeast with gusts of up to 20mph.
In Contention
Wednesday morning saw the quarterfinals play out with Jenny Kim winning her match 1 up over the 2021 US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball runner-up, Jillian Bourdage. Maddison Hinson-Tolchard defeated the University of San Francisco’s Lisa Marie Rudometkin 5 and 4 to move on to the Semifinals in the afternoon. Taylor Roberts took down Tennessee’s Kayla Holden in 20 holes. Continuing the streak for Florida’s top golfers, Ashley Zagers of the University of South Florida defeated Morgan Pankow from the University of Miami 3 and 2.
In the Mid-Amateur Division, Co-Medalist Tara Connelly won her morning match against Nancy Beck 4 and 3 while the other Co-Medalist Wendi Christensen eliminated Anna Schultz 3 and 1. The number 5 seed, Dawn Woodard, dispatched Sarah Gallagher in the morning 3 and 2, and 2020 WSGA Senior Amateur Champion, Kim Keyer-Scott won 1 up against the number 3 seed, Heather Wall.
What’s Next
The championship matches will begin at 8:00 a.m. with live scoring provided.
For more information on the 2021 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur, click here.
Quarterfinals Set for Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur
Lake Worth, Fl. – Jenny Kim continued her streak as the top seed in the Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship at The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida. After a Bye during the first match in the Round of 32 Tuesday morning she advanced to the Quarterfinals with a 6 and 4 win over Ximena Gonzalez Garcia Tuesday afternoon.
In the Mid-Amateur Division, Tara Connelly defeated Connie Bousquet 7 and 6 during the Round of 32 and eliminated Mary Jane Hiestand 2 and 1 in the Round of 16. The quarterfinalists head into another marathon day Wednesday with the Semifinals to be contested in the afternoon.
Leaderboard
| Amateur – Round of 16 Matches | |||
| Jenny Kim | def. | Ximena Gonzalez Garcia | 2 and 1 |
| Maddison Hinson-Tolchard | def. | Cynthia Tu | 4 and 3 |
| Amateur – Round 32 Matches | |||
| Jenny Kim | bye | – | – |
| Victoria England | def. | Mary Cassity | 3 and 2 |
| Jenna Fonda | def. | Emma Rynn | 5 and 3 |
| Maddison Hinson-Tolchard | def. | Mary Murray | 6 and 5 |
| Mid-Amateur – Round of 16 Matches | |||
| Tara Connelly | def. | Mary Jane Hiestand | 2 and 1 |
| Wendi Christensen | def. | Tama Caldabaugh | 3 and 2 |
| Heather Wall | def. | Joann Ferrieri | 6 and 5 |
| Sarah Gallagher | def. | Mina Hardin | 2 and 1 |
| Dawn Woodard | def. | Lin Culver | 4 and 3 |
| Mid-Amateur – Round of 32 Matches | |||
| Tara Connelly | def. | Connie Bousquet | 7 and 6 |
| Wendi Christensen | def. | Taffy Brower | 5 and 4 |
| Heather Wall | def. | Julie Robichaux | 3 and 2 |
| Sarah Gallagher | def. | Mina Hardin | 2 and 1 |
| Dawn Woodard | def. | Leslie Olive Henry | 5 and 4 |
Golf Course
The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1983 and sitting on 170 acres, is one of the most luxurious and beautiful private clubs in Florida. The club, originally designed by Gentleman Joel Lee, was upgraded by Kipp Schulties in 2007 to feature Mini-Verde greens. The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches served as host to the prestigious 2018 Florida Women’s Amateur Championship and 2021 Men’s Southern Invitational.
Weather
Tuesday was sunny and breezy with winds 10-15mph out of the east by southeast and gusts of up to 25 mph. Temperatures were consistent in the 80s reaching a high of 88 in the afternoon.
In Contention
Tuesday morning’s matches saw four of the top five Amateur seeds moving on from the round of 32. The 5 seed, Georgia Ruffolo, fell to Lisa Marie Rudometkin 2 up. Tuesday afternoon saw the 2 and 3 Amateur seeds tumble. Kayla Holden, the 15 seed, defeated Victoria England, the number 2 seed, in 20 holes; while the 3 seed and Junior Medalist, Jenna Fonda, exited the field after the 19 seed Ashley Zagers won 1 up.
All of the top five seeds in the Mid-Amateur Division: Tara Connelly, Wendi Christensen, Heather Wall, Sarah Gallagher, and Dawn Woodard are teeing it up Wednesday morning in search of the title of Mid-Amateur Champion.
What’s Next
Quarterfinal Matches begin at 7:30 a.m., and the Semifinals take place tomorrow afternoon starting at 12:30 p.m. for the Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship Flights.
For more information on the 2021 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur, click here.