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 2021 Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & 7th Mid-Amateur Championships
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 2021 Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships
Lake Worth, Florida – 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.
Results
Amateur – Semifinal Matches
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Jenny Kim in 20 holes
Taylor Roberts def. Ashley Zagers 6 & 5
Amateur – Quarterfinal Matches
Jenny Kim def. Jillian Bourdage 1 up
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Lisa Marie Rudometkin 5 & 4
Taylor Roberts def. Kayla Holden in 20 holes
Ashley Zagers def. Morgan Pankow 3 & 2
Mid-Amateur – Semifinal Matches
Tara Connelly def. Dawn Woodard 4 & 3
Kim Keyer-Scott def. Wendi Christensen 2 & 1
Mid-Amateur – Quarterfinal Matches
Tara Connelly def. Nancy Beck 4 & 3
Dawn Woodard def. Sarah Gallagher 3 & 2
Wendi Christensen def. Anna Schultz 3 & 1
Kim Keyer-Scott def. Heather Wall 1 up
Mid-Amateur – Semifinal Matches
Lecia Alexander def. Mimi Hoffman 4 & 3
Jewell Malick def. Cindy Gilkeson 1 up
Mid-Amateur First Flight – Quarterfinal Matches
Mimi Hoffman def. Mary Payne 3 & 2
Lecia Alexander def. Melissa Gotfredson in 19 holes
Cindy Gilkeson def. Sherry Fox 3 & 1
Jewell Malick def. Kathie Westlund 3 & 2
Semifinal Results | Final Round Pairings
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 2021 Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships
Lake Worth, Florida – 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 |
Round of 16 Results | Quarterfinal Pairings
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.
The Women's Southern Golf Association and the Texas Golf Association join forces to help promote Women's amateur Golf
Women’s Southern Golf Association and the Texas Golf Association
Join Forces to help promote Women’s Amateur Golf
After exploring many options the WSGA recently partnered with the Texas Golf Association in an effort to bolster the competitiveness of both entities. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, the TGA will oversee tournament administration for the WSGA, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf associations in the nation.
The TGA will help conduct the Women’s Southern Amateur Championship, Women’s Southern Mid-Amateur Championship and the Women’s Senior Amateur Championship as part of a two-year contract.
“Being involved with the TGA affords us an opportunity to partner with an organization whose core competency is tournament administration,” WSGA President Donna Kay Meyer said. “The TGA is one of the elite golf associations in the United States and we are honored to be able to partner with them. We look forward to growing the game and promoting our brand together.”
The WSGA has a long and storied history dating back to 1911 when Mrs. Roger Smith of Nashville, TN captured the first title at Eastlake Golf Club in Atlanta. A number of well-known names have been engraved on the Championship Trophy through the years, including those of LPGA Tour Professionals and Major Champions Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis. Other recent winners include Sierra Brooks of Florida, Lucy Nunn of Oklahoma, Hally Leadbetter of Florida and Texan Calynne Roshult of Cedar Park, the two-time defending champion.
The 34th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship concludes the 2019 WSGA season at Craft Farms Golf Resort’s Creek Course Nov. 5-7. A full field of 112 players will be competing, with the winner claiming the Katherine Graham Senior Trophy.
TGA Executive Director Stacy Dennis and TGS Director of Women’s Operations Amy Worthington will oversee the day-to-day operations of the WSGA, including the administration of the association’s three championships. The partnership begins with the 2020 Women’s Southern Amateur and 2020 Women’s Mid-Amateur at The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches in Lake Worth, FL June 1-4.
The 2020 Women’s Southern Senior Amateur will be contested Oct. 27-29 at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, MS
“The TGA is thrilled to be involved with the WSGA,” Dennis said. “The WSGA and Texas share multiple past champions, current players and a deep commitment to impacting women’s golf. It is an honor and extremely natural fit to work together. We are excited to find new ways to collaborate to grow women’s golf and expand championship experiences for women in the South.”
“The primary objectives of the WSGA are to attract elite and full fields in all three of our championships and to be a tournament of choice among amateur women,” Meyer said. “Given the advances in the industry we feel we will be better served by having someone the caliber of the Texas Golf Association to help with our administration.”
Founded in 1910, the WSGA promotes the game of golf among women golfers in the southern states. Our association is governed by a Board of Directors, who conducts three championships and raises funds for college scholarships for graduating high school senior girls. The WSGA includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia.