Championship website | Scoring | Preview | Record book: Senior | Super Senior
Dates: Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9 (Super Senior: August 5-8)
Format: Senior: One round of stroke-play qualifying for the championship flight, with the top 16 players advancing to championship flight match play. All others placed in consolation flights. Round of 16 on Tuesday, quarterfinals on Wednesday, semifinals on Thursday, 18-hole championship match on Friday. Super Senior: One round of stroke-play qualifying for the championship flight, with the top eight players advancing to championship flight match play. All others placed in consolation flights. quarterfinals on Tuesday, semifinals on Wednesday, 18-hole championship match on Thursday.
Host site: The Omni Homestead Resort, Old Course
By Chris Lang
HOT SPRINGS -- Though the Virginia State Golf Association's Senior and Super Senior Women's Amateur championships are unique in their own ways, there was one tie that bound them this week at The Omni Homestead Resort's Old Course: New blood emerged in their respective winners' circles, and that new blood came about directly as a result of the players who have dominated their divisions over the past several years.
As Senior Women's Amateur champion Kristin Shifflett spoke after defeating four-time champion Andrea Miller 4 and 3 in the afternoon, she said, "You've made me a better player," adding, "I not sure you want to hear that right now, but it's true."
The same can be said for Casey Burley, a member at Kiln Creek Golf Course and Resort who upended three-time finalist Shawn McCullough 1-up in the Super Senior Women's Amateur title match. Burley credited playing against better players for helping her improve, knowing she had to if she wanted to compete.
Both Shifflett and Burley are first-time champions in their respective events. The Super Senior Women's Amateur final went on as scheduled on Thursday morning, but the remnants of Hurricane Debby, which produced squalls of what could only be described as "heavy light rain" during the morning, forced the Senior women to play two rounds of matches. With up to five inches of rain expected here overnight, there was little chance the course would be playable for Friday's scheduled final.
Shifflett and Miller each survived tough challenges from a pair of first-time semifinalists in the morning. Shifflett topped Amy Phelan 1 up in one semifinal, while Miller was extended to extra holes before dispatching Peggy Freeman on the 19th hole in the other semifinal. It marked the first time since 2021 that Miller--who was 19-0 in Senior Women's Amateur matches before falling to Shifflett--had played the 18th hole in a match.
It seemed business as usual in the final, as Miller birdied No. 1 to take a 1-up lead. But Shifflett calmly plugged away, keeping the ball in play and attacking when she could. Miller struggled with her putter for much of the day, and Shifflett was able to take advantage. Shifflett won No. 4 to tie the match, starting a stretch where she won four of six holes to take a 3-up lead at the turn. Miller rallied to win the next two, but a birdie on No. 12 put Shifflett back 2-up.
"I just tried to stay as steady as I could, and do the things around the course that I knew would be successful for me," Shifflett said. "Hitting fairways, staying in the short grass, trying to hit greens in regulation. I figured, the steadier I stayed, the better my chances were."
Miller's biggest advantage during her dominant Homestead run was her length, but that was negated on Thursday, as Shifflett often hit it past Miller off the tee. That was the case on the deciding hole, when Shifflett blasted a drive straight down the middle. Miller, who admitted she may have been overtaxed at the end, topped her drive, putting her hopes on life support. Shifflett made a stock birdie on the short par-5 to close the match, then got hugs from caddie Bev Lane and Shifflett's mother, who came out to watch.
"I knew the holes I'd have an advantage on against the rest of the field, it was even money against her," Miller said. "But Kristin played absolutely beautifully. It's probably the best I've ever seen her play. It was fantastic. I just wish I was at my best so I could stay with her. I missed more shots today than I did all week. It was frustrating for me. But I don't want to take anything away from Kristin, who played beautifully. It was fun to watch her."
For Burley, a reconstructed right elbow and lessons with teacher Madeline Foley helped re-invigorate her game. Burley said she's gained 20-30 yards off the tee post-surgery, and she used that length to her advantage against McCullough. Both players struggled to find their footing until deep into the back nine. On the par-5 13th, Burley hit a perfect 60-degree wedge to two feet for her first birdie of the day, then followed it with another birdie on the short par-4 14th to take a 2-up lead.
"That was a huge jolt, because putting is probably the weakest point in my game," Burley said. "But I've just been focusing on it. My motto is to just putt like a 13-year-old boy. I'm a First Tee coach, and those kids make amazing putts, the ones who really try. They're just really relaxed. You've got to have light hands and be relaxed."
McCullough didn't quit, though. Dormie heading to 17, she hit an excellent wedge approach from 42 yards out and nailed the birdie putt to head to 18 with a chance. McCullough hit her tee shot on the par-3 finishing hole short of the green, while Burley placed hers in the middle of the green. McCullough pressured Burley by chipping to kick-in range. Burley took a deep breath, two-putted for par, and celebrated a hard-earned win.
"This has really brought the best out of me," Burley said. "I haven't played this good of golf in 30 years now. You play against the better players, and you're going to play better."
Winners were crowned in numerous consolation flights in both championships. Please visit the scoring link above for full details.
(Shawn McCullough earns a third straight trip to the Super Senior final. Credit: Chris Lang/VSGA)
By Chris Lang
HOT SPRINGS -- For the third straight year, Mount Vernon Country Club's Shawn McCullough advanced to the final match of the Virginia State Golf Association Super Senior Women's Amateur Championship. For the first time, though, she won't have to face fellow Mount Vernon member Linda DiVall.
McCullough defeated Boodie McGurn 2 up in one semifinal on Wednesday and will advance to face Kiln Creek Golf Club & Resort's Casey Burley in Thursday's championship match. Burley defeated Army Navy CC's Shelley Savage 5 and 4 in the other semifinal. Both McGurn and Savage are three-time winners of the Senior Women's Amateur.
The Senior Women's Amateur semifinalists are set after Wednesday's quarterfinal action. The seniors will play two rounds of matches on Thursday, with the championship match set for the early afternoon. The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby are expected to bring up to five inches of rain to the Hot Springs area starting late Thursday afternoon, thus the decision to move the scheduled Friday morning championship match to Thursday.
Four-time defending champion Andrea Miller's quest for a fifth title remained alive as she defeated Bev Lane 3 and 2 in a rematch of last year's championship match. Miller (The Club at Glenmore) will face Stonehenge G&CC's Peggy Freeman, who advanced with a 1-up win over Hermitage CC's Cindy Hollingshead. On the other side of the bracket, Fawn Lake CC's Kristin Shifflett earned a second straight trip to the semifinals with a 3-and-2 win over Mount Vernon CC's Joan Gardner. She'll meet 1757 GC's Amy Phelan, who staged an impressive comeback to oust The Piedmont Club's Sunny Small in 19 holes. Small led 4-up after 12 holes but Phelan won the six of the final seven holes to secure the victory.
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(Shelley Savage defeats past champion Dot Bolling. Credit: Kate Brown/VSGA)
Photo galleryBy Kate Brown
HOT SPRINGS -- The Amateurs' second day, featuring the first round of match play, delivered intense competition and outstanding performances. Players showcased their skills on the course, setting the stage for an exhilarating tournament.
Andrea Miller delivered an impressive performance with a commanding 6 & 5 victory over Becky Hawkins, highlighting her consistent play and precise putting. Bev Lane also stood out, defeating Cindy Thompson 4 & 2 by adhering to her game plan and executing crucial birdies. Peggy Freeman, Kristin Shifflett, and Sunny Small each secured decisive wins, with Small making a notable comeback to beat Renee Lyles 1 up after trailing for most of the match.
In the Super Senior division, Shawn McCullough showcased her skill with a decisive 5 & 3 victory over Rica Rohrbaugh, displaying strategic play and consistent performance. Boodie McGurn, Shelley Savage and Casey Burley also advanced, adding to the anticipation of more exciting matchups as the tournament progresses.
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(Miller posted a 6-under par 66 to start off the week. Credit: Kate Brown/VSGA)
By Kate Brown
HOT SPRINGS -- The VSGA Senior and Super Senior Women's Amateurs kicked off with an exciting first day of competition, featuring standout performances during the stroke-play qualifying round.
After concluding the Super Senior Championship qualifying round, Linda DiVall from Mount Vernon Country Club earned medalist honors with a score of 75, finishing at 3-over par. DiVall's consistent play secured her the top spot among the super seniors.
Following the Super Seniors, the Senior group finished with Andrea Miller from The Club at Glenmore delivering an outstanding performance. Miller posted a remarkable score of 66, finishing at 6-under par, to win medalist honors by a wide margin over her nearest competitor, Mary Cabriele from the Country Club of Fairfax, who finished with a score of 74, at 2-over par.
The top 16 players from the Senior qualifying round and the top 8 players from the Super Senior qualifying round advance to the championship brackets, with Senior Round of 16 and Super Senior Quarterfinals taking place on Tuesday starting at 7:30 a.m.
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