NOTE TO MEDIA: Links to scoring, photos, previous recaps, and the event preview can be found on the event portal at the link posted above. Please click on the “Media” tab to find those items.
By Sara Buechler
HOT SPRINGS — It was a tough match for defending champion Andrea Miller, who earned her spot in the Virginia State Golf Association Senior Women’s Amateur Championship title match after a 21-hole marathon Thursday at the Omni Homestead Resort. Dot Bolling, on the other hand, cruised her way to winning the VSGA Super Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.
Miller (The Club at Glenmore) fought her way through the semifinals against Mary Cabriele (CC of Fairfax) constantly toggling between being 1 up and tied throughout the round.
“It was a struggle,” Miller said. “I was tired and came out just a little loose and wasn’t striking the ball well, and Mary is such a grinder,” she continued. “We battled and battled and battled.”
The two were tied through 18 and went to extra holes. A birdie, par, and another birdie secured the win for Miller.
“The three playoff holes, I played extremely well,” Miller said. “I probably hit my best driver of the day on hole 1 and had a 25-foot putt for eagle. I hit a beautiful shot into 2; I was about 12 feet,” she continued. “And I had another great shot on 3, just within the green.”
Miller said she is excited to be back in the finals playing against Joanne Kitusky (The Dominion Club) who won her match against Shelley Savage 5 and 4.
“I also know Joanne is one heck of a competitor and she played really well today, so it should be a great match.”
In the Super Senior championship, the top-seeded Bolling (Hidden Valley CC) did it again and winning 2 and 1 for her third event championship and continues to hold the all-time lead in VSGA women’s titles. This is her 14th state championship win.
Bolling had a steady lead against Fran Hensley (Forest Park CC), leading 3 up throughout most of the front nine, until she bogeyed 11 allowing Hensley to win holes 10 and 11.
“I held on and then I birdied 16,” Bolling said, which put her 2 up. The match concluded and Bolling secured her win after they both made par on 17.
“Fran is a competitor; never take anything for granted,” Bolling said. “We have been fighting each other for 30 years. And we’re best friends.”
Buechler is a P.J. Boatwright intern with the VSGA.