October 5, 2022
NCGA Hall of Famer Lynne Cowan has done it again.
Cowan, a member at Sierra View Country Club in Rocklin, carded a final round even-par 72 to win the 44th annual California Senior Women's Amateur Championship at Santa Maria Country Club by a shot over runner-up Evelyn Orley. For Cowan, who finished with a 54-hole total of 3-over 219, it marks her fourth CWAC Senior crown.
"It was anyone's game," Cowan said. "State Ams are pretty cool. It's nice to add another one to my resume'. I really didn't have many expectations."
Having entered the final round tied at 3-over 147 with Orley, Lara Tennant and Karen Garcia, Cowan would be the only player to shoot par. Her clutch play included a bogey-free back-nine 33 that sealed the victory.
Over her three rounds, Cowan only three-putted once.
"I putted really well each day," Cowan said. "That and I didn't really make many mistakes."
Orley, a former pro who won on the Ladies European and Ladies Asian Tours, had a final round 73, while Tennant, who won the title in 2020, carded a 74 to take third at 221. Garcia, a former U.S. Senior Women's Amateur champ, placed fourth at 224 after a 77.
In the Super Senior Championship (ages 65-plus), NCGA Hall of Famer Marianne Towersey posted a final round 81 to come in at 25-over 241 for a four-shot victory over fellow NCGA Hall of Famer Pat Cornett.
Towersey, who holds the record for most CWAC Senior wins with seven, now has the most Super Senior titles as well with three. The Pebble Beach resident also won in 2017 and 2018. Cornett won the Super Senior in 2019 and 2020.
October 4, 2022
This one is looking like it's going to come down to the final strokes.
Four players--Karen Garcia, Lynne Cowan, Lara Tennant and Evelyn Orley--are tied for the lead at 3-over 147 with one more round to go at Santa Maria CC in Santa Maria.
Garcia, winner of the 2015 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur, jumped into a share of the lead with a 73 that included three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey. Also coming in with a 73 to move up was Orley.
Cowan, who's searching for her fourth CWAC Senior crown, slipped backwards to a 75 a day after taking the lead with an even-par 72. Tennant, A three-time U.S. Senior Women's Amateur champ and the 2020 winner of the CWAC Senior, had a 74.
The next closest player to the quartet is Jamie Hoffman, who is at 153 after a 77.
In the Super Senior portion (players ages 65-plus) of the championship, NCGA Hall of Famer Marianne Towersey still holds the lead. She's at 16-over 160 after a second round 83. In second place at 162 is fellow NCGA Hall of Famer Pat Cornett.
In the North/South Challenge, which features NCGA players competing as a team (best two-out-of-three) against three SCGA members, the NCGA cruised to a 16-shot win, 292-308.
The NCGA was represented by Cowan, Tennant and Karen Garcia. The SCGA was represented by Shelly Haywood, Akemi Nakata Khaiat and Kurata.
October 3, 2022
Rocklin resident Lynne Cowan is a day away from adding another title to her collection.
Already an NCGA Hall of Famer, Cowan took the lead in this week's annual California Senior Women's Amateur, posting an even-par 72 Monday at Santa Maria Country Club. With a victory, Cowan will become a four-time winner of the event. The Sierra View CC member previously won the title in 2014, '15 and '18.
Cowan, the NCGA's Senior Women's Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, had three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey on the par-5 9th.
In second place at 73 is Portland resident Lara Tennant. A three-time U.S. Senior Women's Amateur champ and multiple Oregon Golf Association winner, Tennant had two birdies and three bogeys.
Karen Garcia and Evelyn Orley are tied for third at 74. Garcia won the U.S. Senior Women's Am in 2015.
Over in the Super Senior portion (players ages 65-plus) of the championship, NCGA Hall of Famer Marianne Towersey took the lead with a score of 77. With a win, Towersey would become the first player to win three Super Senior titles. The Pebble Beach resident also won the Super Senior in 2017 and 2018). Fellow NCGA Hall of Famer Pat Cornett is also a two-time champ (2019 and 2020).
Towersey is a record seven-time winner of the CWAC Senior, having won six years in a row (2004-09). Defending champ Kathy Kurata opened with an 82.
In the North/South Challenge, which features NCGA players competing as a team (best two-out-of-three) against three SCGA members, the NCGA leads, 145-155.
The NCGA is being represented by Cowan, Tennant and Karen Garcia (74). The SCGA is being represented by Shelly Haywood (77), Akemi Nakata Khaiat (78) and Kurata (82).
Monday, October 3rd: Round 1 (18 holes stroke play).
Tuesday, October 4th: Round 2 (18 holes stroke play).
Following the second round, the field will be cut to the low 30 players and ties.
Wednesday, October 5th: Final Round (18 holes stroke play).