With wet and windy conditions today at Meshingomesia CC, an under par round seemed unlikely. For three-time Women’s Am Champion, Julia Potter, the conditions seemed irrelevant. Potter shook up the field with a 2-under-par, 70 during her opening round of the 93rd IWGA State Amateur Championship and looks to defend her title.
“I knew I wouldn’t get any getting roll today,” said Potter of Indianapolis. “That being said, the soft greens did allow for me to fire at pins.”
Potter carded five birdies across the 5826-yard layout. She looks for her fourth Women’s Am title this week at Meshingomesia, with previous wins coming in ’07, ’08 and ’14.
“There’s something about the State Am that I just love,” Potter said. “It’s my favorite tournament that I play in. After leading at the Open on the first day and not finishing how I had hoped, I definitely used that as motivation today.”
Potter has had an impressive Indiana Golf career. She is three-time IHSAA State Champion (’02, ’04, ’05) and an IWGA Match Play Champion (’09).
Her success does not just resonate state-wide, but she also thrives on a national level. In 2013, Potter became a USGA Champion after winning the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, and finished runner-up in last year’s event. She will compete at the USGA Amateur Championship in Portland, Ore. this fall as well as the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in Choudrant, La.
“Playing a course like Meshingomesia is great,” Potter said. “It’s always good to play in difficult conditions, but on a course that is in great shape. Whenever you have a chance to play a course of this quality, it is great preparation for national events. There is also strong competition out here; and of all ages. From players like Morgan Dabagia to Julie Carmichael, there’s such an impressive mix of golfers.”
Potter heads to round two with a two shot lead over Kayla Benge of Plainfield who carded an even par, 72.
“If I were able to repeat, it would mean everything to me,” Potter said.
Click here for full field results.