Terra Alta, WV – The 44th WV Women’s Senior Amateur came to a close on Wednesday at Alpine Lakes Resort as seventy-one ladies tee’d it up looking to claim the first of two women’s state titles of the year. Welcoming the players was 4,999 yard Ron Forse designed course that prides itself on some of the most challenging par-3’s in the state. While both days of competition saw sunny skies it was the breezy conditions of Round 1 that tested the ladies’ games early and often.
Claiming a position at the top of the leaderboard during the opening round was Karen Kinnett of Shepherdstown. Kinnett’s opening round of four over-par, 76, included seven bogeys and three birdies, two of which came in a three hole span. Kinnett’s opening round 76 was good enough to take a seven shot lead into Wednesday’s final round over Karen Rainey of Daniels and Sue Goldcamp of Parkersburg who both carded 83. Claytine Shepherd of Beckley found herself one shot back of Rainey and Goldcamp with an opening round of 84 and fourteen-time WV Women’s Senior Amateur Champion, Caroline Ramsey, opened with a 85 to place her in a tie for fifth with Glen Dale’s, Patti Maroney. Ramsey, who is coming off hip replacement surgery, battled through her long game but showed dashes of her tremendous short game throughout the round. At the completion of the opening round the field was divided into six (6) flights with the top thirteen players being placed in the Championship Flight.
It was more of the same during round 2 as Kinnett followed her opening round 76 with a closing round of 77. Even with back-to-back double bogeys on holes #9 and #10, Kinnett battled back carding three birdies and an eagle three on the par-5 15th. Kinnett’s two day total of 153 was good enough for a fourteen shot victory on her way to claiming her first WV Women’s Senior Amateur Title. Claiming runner-up honors was Karen Rainey who posted scores of 83-84. Clayting Shepherd claimed third with back to back rounds of 84, and Caroline Ramsey and Sue Goldcamp tied for fourth place in the Championship Divisions with two-day totals of 169 (+25).
Claiming honors in the five other flights were: Shelia Holstein (First Flight) who posted a tournament total 168, Judy Hutchins (Second Flight) who posted a tournament total of 177, Kathy Pinkston (Third Flight) who posted a tournament total of 192, Sherie Burns (Fourth Flight) who posted a tournament total of 200, and Kathleen Madrid (Fifth Flight) who claimed a victory with a tournament total of 217.
