Ft. Wayne’s Michelle Smith outlasted two former Champions to capture her first IWGA title in the Indiana Women’s Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship. Her four-over-par 148 total was a shot better than two-time Mid-Amateur Champion Tobi Herron and two shots ahead of defending champion Nina Whalen.
Smith started the second round at Covered Bridge Golf Course in Sellersburg with a two-shot lead over Columbus’ Herron and a six shot lead over Whalen. Smith was the only player in the opening round to better par, firing a 71 at Champions Point Golf Course in Memphis.
All three of the contenders struggled on the opening nine at Covered Bridge. Smith fired a two over par 38 and Herron posted a 37, giving Smith a one shot lead heading to the final nine holes. Whalen was six behind the leader after also posting a 38 on the front nine.
A bogey 5 on the par 4, 339 yard 10th hole moved Smith into a tie with Herron. The lead was quickly given back to Smith after Herron suffered a double-bogey six on the 345 yard, 11th hole. Smith would never relinquish the lead. She finished the back nine with a three over par 39, equaling Herron’s back nine and finishing the Championship one shot ahead.
Whalen’s back-nine charge came up just short as she carded two birdies and a bogey on the back for a one-under par 35. The Indianapolis resident finished third overall and collected the Senior Division Title by 14 shots over Sellersburg’s Susan Peters.
The IWGA Mid-Amateur Championship is open to Indiana Women Golfers who are 25 years of age and over. The field was flighted after the first round with the low 12 players making the Championship Flight.
Other Flight winners were as follows:
First Flight Lisa Cook, Noblesville
Second Flight Joan Belschwender, McCordsville
Third Flight Denise Werner, Valparaiso