Defending Champion and three-time Women’s Am Champion Julia Potter grabbed her fourth victory today at the 93rd IWGA State Amateur Championship at Meshingomesia CC. After carding a 36-hole total of 3-under-par, 141, Potter separated herself from the field by an impressive ten shots alleviating the pressure for her final round.
“l was actually more nervous this morning than I expected,” said Potter of Indianapolis. “It was an unfamiliar situation being ten shots ahead and I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle it. After the first few holes I calmed down a bit and focused on playing one shot at a time.”
Potter carded a 1-over-par, 73 today for a three-day total of 214 and an 11 shot victory over 14-year-old Erica Shepherd of Greenwood.
Potter has had a tremendous golf career, on both a state and national level. She is a three-time IHSAA State Champion (’02, 04, ’05), an IWGA Match Play Champion (’09), a USGA Champion (Women’s Mid-Am, ’13), a three-time IWGA Player of the Year and now a four time IWGA State Amateur Champion.
“Honestly when Kristtini (IWGA Tournament Director) said I have joined five people ever to win the Women’s Am four times, it gave me chills,” Potter said. “At 27, I’m not able to play as much golf as I would like to, so at the end of the day it makes me realize how lucky I am to still be able to compete at this level.”
The only title missing from Potter’s resume is the Indiana PGA Women’s Open. After opening with a 4-under-par, 68 during this year’s Women’s Open, Potter headed to the final round with a one shot lead. Potter was disappointed with a third place finish, but used the loss as motivation for this event.
“It was definitely motivation for me,” Potter said. “I made mistakes down the stretch down the open and Kleiman played great. Being so close to a victory that I have always wanted was disappointing, but it made me want this win even more.”
Potter’s season is far from over. She will compete at the IWGA Championship in Columbus this summer as well as the USGA Amateur Championship in Portland, Ore. and the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in Choudrant, La.
“The way I was hitting the ball this week definitely gives me a confidence boost heading to the USGA events,” Potter said. “This Women’s Am is definitely my favorite event of the year and something I would encourage everyone to play in. I won at 27 and Erica (Shepherd) finished second at 14. It’s an event for all ages and the state’s Championship.”
Shepherd finished second carding a three-day total of 225.
“I adjusted the alignment on my putting today and that helped,” Shepherd said. “I didn’t play well early in the week, so it feels great that I was still able to finish towards the top of the pack.”
Other flight winners included: First: Alexis Miestowski, Second: Ashley Sexton, Third: Mary Ellen Romero, Fourth: Nina Nipcon, Fifth: Sarah Frazier and Sixth: Sophia Alexandar.