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November 4, 2025
Lauren Gebauer and partner Erin Sampson didn't do a celebratory leap into the pond near the 18th green at Poppy Ridge, but the thought crossed their mind.
Gebauer made birdie on the first hole (par-5 18th) of a sudden-death playoff on Tuesday to defeat the veteran tandem of Lynne Cowan and Karen Garcia and win the annual NCGA Women's Four-Ball Championship.
On the playoff hole, both Gebauer and Sampson found the fairway. Cowan also found the fairway, but Garcia pulled her drive left near the pond, leaving her no option but to lay up. Both Gebauer and Sampson went for the green in two--Sampson's ball landing towards the front, while Gebauer was pin-high but just off the putting surface. Cowan, meanwhile, reached the green in regulation, giving her an 8-foot birdie putt.
With Garcia out of the running, Sampson missed her eagle putt. Gebauer then chipped up, nearly holing out for eagle and leaving a tap-in for birdie. Cowan's birdie attempt to force another playoff hole just missed the cup.
It was the first time that Sampson and Gebauer, who finished with a two-day total of 8-under 136, had teamed up.
"I love playing with Lauren and was so excited to be her partner," Sampson said. "To play with her, and then win it in a playoff...it was a great day."
"I'm usually a chipper for shorter distances, so I didn't really think of putting it," said Gebauer, who was the NCGA Women's Player of the Year in 2023. "Ijust focused on my touch, and let it feed to the hole."
Cowan, an NCGA Hall of Famer, and Garcia, the 2024-25 Senior Women's Player of the Year, had a shot at winning the title in regulation but could only muster pars on their final five holes for a 67. Gebauer and Sampson also had a chance to win it in regulation, but Sampson's putt for eagle on the 1st hole (their 18th due to a shotgun start) just missed.
"I think it was a great team effort," Gebauer said. "If one of us was down, the other picked it up. We really just gave it our all out there."
As per the potential victory jump into the pond, Gebauer, a practicing dermatologist, considered it but changed her mind.
"I could always give myself a prescription if something went array," Gebauer joked.
Third place went to the defending champion duo of Tina Barker and Jennifer Serbin at 137 following a final round 68. Serbin, known for her length, nearly drove the green on the 297-yard par-4 11th.
Big Sur Flight
Ina Byun and In Ra carded a final round 9-under 63 to come in at 132 for a one-shot victory over the team of Loreta Matty and Alice Chang, who also had a final round 63.
Third place went to Michelle Sherpa and Jennifer Pan at 137.
Golden Gate Flight
Pam Katros and Tyra Jarvis shot a final round 89-under 63 to win with a two-day score of 131.
Second place went to the tandem of Cheryl Saxton and Sarah Valentine (66) following a card-off win over the team of Ellen Soohoo and Jeanne Benedetti (68). Both teams finished tied at 134.
Yosemite Flight
Alexandria Breitman and Caroline Yim carded a final round 72 to win with a two-day total of 136. Second place went to Caroline Reynaud and Mia Heggie at 137. Third place went to the team of Mary Mackey and Heidi Russell at 139.
November 3, 2025
Some big names are on the prowl at the annual NCGA Women's Four-Ball Championship at Poppy Ridge.
In the Gross Flight, the teams of fellow Sierra View CC members Karen Garcia and Lynne Cowan and defending champions Tina Barker and Jennifer Serbin are tied for the lead at 3-under 69.
Barker and Cowan are both NCGA Hall of Famers, while Garcia recently earned her second NCGA Senior Women's Player of the Year title. Serbin is one of the longest hitters in the field.
The team of former Player of the Year Lauren Gebauer and Erin Sampson is just a shot back at 70.
Big Sur Flight: The team of Michelle Sherpa and Jennifer Pan lead at 65.
Golden Gate Flight: Ellen Soohoo and Jeanne Benedetti lead at 66.
Yosemite Flight: The teams of Caroline Reynaud and Mia Heggie and Alexandra Breitman and Caroline Yim are the co-leaders at 64.
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