News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
The Reign Continues for this Decade’s Majesty
(Photo courtesy of Easton Folster, Director of Rules & Competitions at the UGA)
By Beaux Yenchik, UGA Intern
Millcreek, UT – The reign of the queen continued as the fighter jets flew above at the Utah Women’s Senior Amateur Championship – becoming the third lady ever to win the event at least four times.
Sue Nyhus, along with 45 others, tackled Hubbard Golf Course on Hill Air Force Base Monday and Tuesday for the 26th playing of the senior women’s flagship event for those who are over the age of 50. With the course playing just over 5,000 yards, this northern-Utah gem provided the opportunity for plenty of birdies and low scores. Nyhus – the 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2014 Champion – walked away with the victory by finishing at 5 under par for the tournament.
Winning by nine shots over second-place finisher, Roberta Scott (+4), Nyhus appeared to be on cruise control from start to finish – carding six birdies, two eagles and five bogeys over the two days of golf.
“I played solid tee to green,” Nyhus said. “I minimized my mistakes … I knew that I had to because the field was so strong.”
Even though she went into the clubhouse with a three-stroke lead after day one, Nyhus’ round had some hiccups along the way. After birdieing the first two par 5s on the front nine, she stumbled backwards with two bogeys on holes six and nine.
Starting the back nine with five straight pars, Nyhus again capitalized with another birdie on a par 5. Yet, she slipped the very next hole with a bogey to get herself back to even par on the day and the tournament.
Round two, despite the two bogeys on holes six and 16, was much better for the eventual winner. Responsible for the only two eagles in the field, Nyhus took advantage of her length and accuracy on holes five and 15 – making her 8 under par for the tournament on the par 5s alone.
Nyhus said: “The senior women are really great players. I knew that many of them could have gone really low today. So, my goal, [and] I don’t know who said it in the PGA last week, [was to] ‘wear out the fairways and wear out the greens.’”
The 2018 victor also birdied holes one, eight and 18 en route to shooting an impressive 67 – the only round in red figures for the tournament.
With this victory, Nyhus has tied the great Gwen Adams with four titles. With a possibility to win four years in a row and a potential fifth overall, Nyhus will look to tie Annette Gaiotti’s record in 2019.
“I didn’t realize that was a thing,” Nyhus said in response to being told she was a four-time winner. “So, I am a little surprised by that … I’m grateful for the opportunity to play in the UGA and to have a Senior Amateur Championship.”
For complete tournament results, CLICK HERE.