Early this June, Julia Potter of Indianapolis, started off her tournament season with a win at the first women’s event of the season, the IWGA Match Play Championship. Today, Potter finds herself in contention for a second win of 2016 after posting a 36-hole total of 3-under-par, 141 at the Indiana Women’s Amateur Championship at The CC of Terre Haute.
“I’ve never won back-to-back IWGA events, so that would be a huge accomplishment for me,” Potter said. “I didn’t come into this event with any expectations, but hoped to be in contention on the final day.”
Potter’s round of 68 today consisted of six birdies coming on holes 2, 6, 9, 11, 12 and 15. She only carded two bogeys coming on holes 5 and 7.
“My approach shots were really good today and I continued to give myself opportunities to make birdies,” Potter said. “My drives were also all in play, which is huge on this course.”
Potter is a three-time IHSAA State Champion, a USGA Champion (Women’s Mid-Am, ’13), a four-time IWGA Alice O’Neal Dye Player of the Year, a two-time IWGA Match Player Champion (’09, ’16) and a four-time Indiana Women’s Amateur Champion (’07, ’08, ’14, ’15). A win tomorrow would be her fifth win in this event, and third consecutive year in a row.
“This would be a really big win for me,” Potter said. “It would be a huge confidence boost going into the second half of my season, but I’m going to try not to get ahead of myself.”
Potter heads to the final round with a three shot lead over Jocelyn Bruch, Westfield, and Anna Gleixner, Greenwood.
14 year-old Bruch posted a career best today at The CC of Terre Haute, carding a 1-under-par, 71. The incoming freshman at Westfield High School is currently even par for the event.
“I was struggling with my chipping and putting leading up to this event, and having my coach caddy for me yesterday really helped me,” Bruch said. “I knew I needed to make a birdie on my last hole today to shoot 71, my best score ever, so I was really excited when I was able to do so."
Bruch trails by three shots heading into tomorrow’s final round.
“I’m just going to take it one shot at a time and try to hit each shot the best that I can,” Bruch said. “It feels really good to be in this position and to know that I have a chance.”
Like Potter, Gleixner also posted a 4-under-par, 68 during today’s round. A recent graduate from Eastern Kentucky University, Gleixner says this is her last summer of competitive golf.
“It would be really special to end my career with a win this week,” Gleixner said. “I obviously can’t control what people do, but I am going to try to play my best tomorrow. I am excited about the position that I am in.”
Hometown favorite, Rachel Welker, is currently fourth after carding a 36-hole total of 3-over-par, 147.
After today’s round, the field was divided into six flights based on score. Tee times begin tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.