THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS has the new clubhouse up and running. The DuPage Amateur returns this weekend at both Maple Meadows and the Preserve, so follow the results, then book a tee time. Visit DuPagegolf.com and see the clubhouse.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Emily Lauterbach (L) the first round leader-draws defending champion Marissa Wenzler in the first round of the match play this morning at Sunset Ridge Country Club, in the 122nd Women’s Western Golf Association Amateur Championship.
HIGH WINDS that got worse as the day went on, left much of the 120 player field backing up on the scorecard. All day long players stood over shots, and putts, having to back off as the winds blew.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Marissa Wenzler on advancing to the Match Play.
Things weren’t quite so bad for the very early starters. But late goes had their hands full from a conditions standpoint. When the day was over, and it wasn’t over early. Because it took a 9 for 3 playoff for players at +9 to see who would make the match play field.
2021 finalists-defending champion Marissa Wenzler avoided the playoff by one shot to make it back into the match play. Wenzler a member of the University of Kentucky women’s golf team, opened her round in the last tee time off the day Double Bogey-Bogey-Bogey before settling down on the back nine. Wenzler needed a crucial up and down from a greenside bunker on 15. Then hit her approach 4 feet from 150 yards to save par on 18 to avoid the playoff by a shot after carding a 78 (+6).
2021 runner-up at Park Ridge Maddison Hinson-Tolchard also made the match play. But playing in the last group with Wenzler struggled with the wind. Tolchard the current Big-12 Women’s player of the year and second team All-American at Oklahoma State. Says she’s ready to go one-step further this year and take home the trophy.
CLICK HERE to hear the interview with 2021 runner-up Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
First round leader Emily Lauterbach from Wisconsin, couldn’t find the fairway off the tee on many holes. But her superb putting made her an early entry into the match play. Lauterbach who has already won the Wisconsin Women’s Open and State Amateur plays Wenzler in the first round of the match play.
ILLINOIS AREA players fared pretty well. Both Megan Furtney of St. Charles and Sarah Arnold of Geneva advanced into the match play. They survived the 9 for 3 playoff. Grace Curran of New Lenox also advanced.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Sarah Arnold, after her round. But before the 9 for 3 playoff Arnold advanced from into the match play.
The round of 32 and the round of 16 will be played on Thursday. The round of 8 and the semi-finals will be played Friday. With the championship match on Saturday morning.