Defeats Elizabeth Preus in Championship Match
Julie Baker, a rising senior at the University of Southern Mississippi, edged Troy University’s Elisabeth Preus to win the 88th Alabama Women’s State Amateur Championship on Thursday.
The tournament was played at Huntsville Country Club.
It was Baker’s first state title, and she did it with a 2&1 victory over Preus, who was the No. 6 seed in the match play portion of the tournament.
Julie Baker, of Hoover, was the No. 1 seed after shooting 70 in the qualifying round. She went on to defeat to beat Anna Claire Little, Lauren Thompson and Allison Howard to advance to the championship match.
Preus shot 72 in the qualifying round and then beat Linda Jeffrey, Ally Williams and Michaela Williams to reach the championship match.
Baker was 1 down early in the match before taking the lead on the back nine.
“It was neck and neck all day,” Baker told the Alabama Golf Association. “I knew that if I stayed consistent, hitting fairways and greens, it would help me win.”
Susan West of Tuscaloosa raced Donna Lowen of Huntsville toward the finish line of the 2nd Alabama Women’s State Senior Match Play Championship. Breaking a tie with Lowen, West took the lead in the match with a par on No. 12. Her birdie on No. 17 secured her victory, 3 & 1.
Full Results
Women’s State Amateur – Championship Semifinals
(1) Julie Baker, Hoover def. (12) Allison Howard, Newton, 3 & 2
(6) Elisabeth Preus, Auburn def. (2) Micheala Williams, Brownsboro, 6 & 4
Women’s State Amateur – Championship Finals
(1) Julie Baker, Hoover def. (6) Elisabeth Preus, Auburn, 2 & 1
Women’s State Amateur – Tournament Division Finals
(1) Kay Theodoss, Hampton Cove def. (2) Keri Rutledge, Birmingham, 8 & 6
Women’s State Amateur – Consolation Semifinals
(4) Morgan Jones, Auburn def. (8) Sophie Burks, Tallassee, 4 & 2
(6) Linda Jeffery, Prattville def. (7) Emma Pittman, Pike Road, 4 & 2
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 1 Finals
(1) Sarah Utley, Owens Cross Roads def. (2) Taylor Trible, Birmingham, 2 up
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 1 Consolation Finals
(4) Caroline Waldrop, Birmingham def. (3) Marilyn Steed, Birmingham, 4 & 2
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 2 Finals
(1) MK Horton, Birmingham def. (3) Emily Lankford, Huntsville, 7 & 5
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 2 Consolations Finals
(2) Zoe Walker, Vinemont def. (4) MacKinley Baird, Birmingham, 7 & 5
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 3 Finals
(1) Lauren Gilchrist, Spanish Fort def. (2) Anna Margaret Hays, Tuscumbia, 4 & 2
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 3 Consolation Finals
(3) Ruby Narrell, Union Grove def. (4) Raina Choi, Huntsville, 4 & 3
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 4 Finals
(2) Lindsey Oxley, Helena def. (1) Stacy Quilling, Birmingham, 5 & 4
Women’s State Amateur – Flight 4 Consolation Finals
(4) Hayley Morris, McCalla def. (3) Bella Duesing, Huntsville, 2 & 1
Senior Championship – Finals
(2) Susan West, Tuscaloosa def. (1) Donna Lowen, Huntsville, 3 & 1
Senior Championship – Consolation Finals
(3) Nancy Schlich, Auburn def. (4) Theresa Stratton, Opelika, 2 & 1
Senior Championship – Flight 1 Finals
(1) Theresa Mahlik, Madison def. (2) Ann Lanier, Fairhope, 5 & 4
Senior Championship – Flight 1 Consolation Finals
(3) Tami Green, Fairhope def. (4) Barbee Bryant, 7 & 5
Senior Championship – Flight 2 Finals
(4) Amanda Miller, Albertville def. (2) Dina Murray, Chelsea, 2 up
Senior Championship – Flight 2 Consolation Finals
(1) Candy Mitchell, Springville def. (3) Jennie Steuer, Madison, 4 & 3
Senior Championship – Flight 3 Finals
(2) Lisa Jones, Guntersville def. (4) Lynn Glover, Birmingham, 1 up
Senior Championship – Flight 3 Consolation Finals
(1) Toni Aila, Ozark def. Jane McGriff, Birmingham, 6 & 5
By Alabama Golf News staff
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Featured image: Alabama Golf Association
