Mary Doyen didn’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but before the start of a scheduled playoff that was supposed to decide the CWGA Senior Stroke Play champion, she had something important to say to a tournament official Tuesday afternoon.
And though she certainly didn’t phrase it this way, the basic implication was straightforward: Why are three fellow competitors going to play off when I’ve already won?
The point was well-taken, and after all the scores were confirmed, the playoff was nixed and Doyen was declared the champion by one stroke.
“I’m still kind of in shock,” the 59-year-old from Denver said minutes later.
Indeed, after Doyen shot an 84 in Monday’s first round at Colorado Springs Country Club, the last thing on her mind was winning the title. With 18 holes left, she was in eighth place and trailed leader Cindy Pallatino by seven strokes.
“I didn’t have any thought that I would win,” Doyen said.
But a nifty 1-over-par 74 on Tuesday — the best final-round score by four shots — combined with the leaders faltering a bit changed the complexion of the tournament. Still, the lead threesome — Pallatino (pictured at left), Sue Davis and 2011 CWGA Senior Match Play champion Laurie Steenrod — had no idea about Doyen’s comeback. And when all three tied at 13-over-par 159, a playoff was organized and they were set to go — until Doyen pointed out the problem.
“I’m not sure the three of us could have taken another hole anyway,” Davis said. “We threw a lot of shots away.”
With Doyen posting a 158 total, Pallatino, Davis and Steenrod had to settle for a second-place tie, one behind the champion. Steenrod (pictured at left) closed with a 78, while Davis had an 80 and Pallatino an 82.
“First off, congrats to Mary,” Pallatino said. “A 74 is a great round on the final day.”
And it resulted in the biggest victory ever for Doyen, who placed second to Kim Eaton in the Senior Stroke Play last year.
“I’m absolutely elated,” she said. “This is probably the biggest golf thrill I’ve had in my life. This is the pinnacle. And I’m 59 so it gets harder every year.”
Playing two groups ahead of the leaders, Doyen went even par over her last 16 holes Tuesday and finished her second round with three birdies. “I just played pretty darn well — about as good as I could play,” she said.
“I think it might have helped” not playing with the first-day leaders, Doyen added. “I was only playing against myself. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I was just trying to shoot a good score. The pressure of being in there and knowing what was going on (with the leaders) might have been more than I wanted.”
Not only was Doyen not thinking about winning the tournament, she said wasn’t even keeping track of her score.
“I never thought of anything but one hole at a time,” said Doyen, who plays out of both Foothills and Broken Tee Englewood. Even afterward, the possibility of victory didn’t enter her mind. “I was just so proud of myself for shooting 74 that I didn’t think about anything else. “
It was quite a different mindset than she had after carding an 84 on Monday.
“I was playing so bad I was ready to pack my bags and go back home,” she said.
While Doyen had a very good final round, Pallatino, Davis (pictured at left) and Steenrod each could point to key letdowns in the stretch run that may have cost them the title. Pallatino dropped six shots to par in the last five holes, Davis went 3 over in the last three and missed a two-foot par putt on No. 16, and all three players bogeyed No. 18.
“What typically happens on the last day when you have three people who think they’re the ones who are competing (for the title), you get a goofy kind of karma going on,” observed Pallatino, a former member at Colorado Springs Country Club. “Unfortunately, ours wasn’t very positive.”
Pallatino, who held a four-stroke lead with five holes remaining, was left with a second-place showing for the umpteenth time in her career.
“I like being a bridesmaid, I guess,” said Pallatino, who did win the senior division of the 2008 CWGA Match Play. “It’s so bad that when I moved into my house in Scottsdale (Ariz.), my little neighbor friend next door said, ‘Why do you have so many runners-up (trophies)?'”
Three of the top four finishers Tuesday — Doyen, Steenrod and Davis — all recently qualified for the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur that will be played Sept. 10-15 in Oolteewah, Tenn.
CWGA Senior Stroke Play
At Colorado Springs CC
GROSS RESULTS
Championship Flight
Mary Doyen, Foothills GC – 84-74–158
Cindy Pallatino, CommonGround GC – 77-82–159
Laurie Steenrod, Saddle Rock GC – 81-78–159
Sue Davis, CommonGround GC – 79-80–159
Beth Clippinger, South Suburban GC – 83-81–164
Deb Hughes, Green Valley Ranch GC – 87-80–167
Ruth Van Zee, Canongate at Blackstone CC – 84-84–168
Sandra Young, Eisenhower GC – 85-83–168
Carla Shearer, Perry Park CC – 82-89–171
Lynn Larson, The Pinery CC – 81-91–172
Kay Griffel, The Meadows GC – 81-95–176
Liz Kennedy, Tiara Rado GC – 90-87–177
Lynn Zmistowski, Willis Case GC – 87-90–177
First Flight
Ron Irons, Eisenhower GC – 74-76–150
Marie Driessen, Pinery CC Wga – 81-83–164
Lois Meredith, Perry Park CC – 79-87–166
Sheryl Larsen, Lakewood CC – 84-82–166
Mary Lou Grooms, Willis Case GC – 82-86–168
Virginia Love, The Ranch CC – 83-87–170
Brenda Cook, The Pinery CC – 89-82–171
Jessi McVay, CommonGround GC – 82-89–171
Jill Kirkpatrick, Broken Tee GC – 87-85–172
Barbara Hoversten, Meridian GC – 86-87–173
Ouida Neil, Broadmoor GC – 89-85–174
Jan Carter, Indian Tree CG – 93-86–179
Mary Jo Deming, Lakewood CC – 97-92–189
Second Flight
Jeanette Ali, CC at Castle Pines – 79-83–162
Pam Cortez, Coal Creek GC – 82-85–167
Pat Wenger, Eisenhower GC – 85-86–171
Jennifer Hocking, Cherokee Ridge GC – 86-86–172
Jill Kirkham, Eisenhower GC – 88-87–175
Kay Geitner, South Suburban GC – 87-88–175
Kimalee Hull, Foothills GC – 85-91–176
Nancy Boodel, Valley CC – 89-88–177
Marilyn Heustis, Broken Tee GC – 92-87–179
Sandra Hill, Valley CC – 89-90–179
Juna Orr, Broken Tee GC – 90-90–180
Pat Dwyer, Patty Jewett GC – 90-90–180
Vivian Parle, Colorado Springs CC Lga – 95-86–181
Kathryn Davis, The CC at Castle Pines – 95-88–183
Patricia Tracy, Greeley CC – 98-87–185
Patty Smogor, Broken Tee GC – 98-88–186
Lynne Janis, Riverdale GC – 92-95–187
Mary Repetto, Broken Tee GC – 97-101–198
Third Flight
Peggy Puckett, Wellshire GC – 87-85–172
Barbara Klenovich, Colorado Springs CC Lga – 85-88–173
Bobby Jackson, Willis Case GC – 87-88–175
Frankie Hood, Deer Creek GC at Meadow Ranch – 89-88–177
Pat Johnson, Indian Tree GC – 92-89–181
Carol Race, Valley CC – 92-93–185
Patricia Swanson, West Woods GC – 95-90–185
Nondis Lowther, Rifle Creek GC – 90-97–187
Susan Beck, Highlands Ranch Wga – 90-97–187
Vicki Porter, CommonGround GC – 95-93–188
Denise Thornton, Eisenhower Wga – 91-99–190
Norma Bisdorf, Overland GC – 91-99–190
Juliet Miner, Bear Dance GC – 97-94–191
Carlene Decker, Kissing Camels at The Garden of the God’s Club – 97-95–192
Lyndon Lieb, Broken Tee GC – 97-95–192
Paula Maes, The Club at Pradera – 97-95–192
Willie DiLoreto, The Ranch CC – 98-95–193
Jenny Elliott, Broken Tee GC – 97-100–197
Fourth Flight
Cindy Christiano, Meadow Hills GC – 85-94–179
Sharon Thiel, Riverdale GC – 93-90–183
Marsha Swoboda, Coal Creek GC – 94-92–186
Barbara DeGrand, Garden of the Gods Lga – 97-90–187
Ginger Doubek, Meadow Hills GC – 94-93–187
Nancy Wilson, Indian Tree GC – 92-98–190
Dolly Moreno, Broken Tee GC – 92-99–191
Jo Honeyman, Overland GC – 96-96–192
Donna Edelen, Riverdale GC – 94-100–194
Judy Maillis, Broken Tee GC – 101-93–194
Marty Hall, Foothills GC – 92-105–197
Pat O’Connor, Collindale GC – 106-98–204
Fifth Flight
Irene Stein, Collindale GC – 90-91–181
Patrish Bergamo, Perry Park CC – 94-92–186
Sally Lou Schultz, Meeker GC – 97-94–191
Susan Elliott, Riverdale GC – 101-90–191
Pam Penfold, Willis Case GC – 99-94–193
Becky Finger, Riverdale GC – 98-97–195
Reed Wolff, Broken Tee GC – 95-100–195
Sherry Lewis, Vail Wga – 101-94–195
Bunny Ambrose, Meadow Hills GC – 97-99–196
Paula Sinn-Penfold, Lake Valley GC – 100-100–200
Sharon Cooksey, Patty Jewett Wga – 98-105–203
Mary Moisio, Eisenhower Wga – 116-113–229
Sixth Flight
Nancy Peters, Hyland Hills GC – 91-99–190
Laurie Schlager, Broken Tee GC – 99-93–192
Stella Madrid, Broken Tee Englewood Wga – 97-102–199
Kathleen Comes, Valley Hi GC – 97-103–200
Kathy Flynn, Sunset Wga – 102-98–200
Susie Goldberg, Overland Park Wgc – 106-94–200
Barbara Schutz, Perry Park CC – 99-104–203
Sally Beswick, Deer Creek GC at Meadow Ranch – 101-102–203
Jan Squires, West Woods GC – 103-101–204
Kathy Mansueto, Broken Tee GC – 107-103–210
Roben Deines, Buffalo Run GC – 107-107–214
Seventh Flight
Sammy Scoma, The Courses at Hyland Hills – 97-95–192
Cindy Gilbert, Eagle Vail GC – 103-102–205
Jo-El Freyer, Denver CC – 110-103–213
Julie Berge, Meadow Hills Wga – 104-112–216
Mary Lou Ray, Heritage Eagle Bend GC – 108-110–218
Phyllis Finlay, Eagle Vail GC – 108-110–218
Barbara White, Buffalo Run GC – 110-109–219
Jan Lee Heath, Lamar Ladies Golf Association – 116-110–226
Cookie Henry, Indian Tree GC – 119-117–236
Suzan Romek, Broken Tee GC – 116-124–240
NET RESULTS
Championship Flight
Mary Doyen, Foothills GC – 79-69–148
Cindy Pallatino, CommonGround GC – 73-78–151
Laurie Steenrod, Saddle Rock GC – 78-75–153
Sue Davis, CommonGround GC – 76-77–153
Ruth Van Zee, Canongate at Blackstone CC – 77-77–154
Sandra Young, Eisenhower GC – 78-76–154
Beth Clippinger, South Suburban GC – 80-78–158
Carla Shearer, Perry Park CC – 76-83–159
Lynn Larson, The Pinery CC – 76-86–162
Liz Kennedy, Tiara Rado GC – 83-80–163
Kay Griffel, The Meadows GC – 76-90–166
Deb Hughes, Green Valley Ranch GC – 87-80–167
Lynn Zmistowski, Willis Case GC – 83-86–169
First Flight
Ron Irons, Eisenhower GC – 65-67–132
Lois Meredith, Perry Park CC – 71-79–150
Marie Driessen, Pinery CC Wga – 74-76–150
Brenda Cook, The Pinery CC – 79-72–151
Jessi McVay, CommonGround GC – 72-79–151
Mary Lou Grooms, Willis Case GC – 74-78–152
Sheryl Larsen, Lakewood CC – 77-75–152
Virginia Love, The Ranch CC – 74-78–152
Jill Kirkpatrick, Broken Tee GC – 78-76–154
Barbara Hoversten, Meridian GC – 77-78–155
Ouida Neil, Broadmoor GC – 80-76–156
Jan Carter, Indian Tree CG – 83-76–159
Mary Jo Deming, Lakewood CC – 88-83–171
Second Flight
Jeanette Ali, CC at Castle Pines – 67-71–138
Pam Cortez, Coal Creek GC – 70-73–143
Pat Wenger, Eisenhower GC – 74-75–149
Jennifer Hocking, Cherokee Ridge GC – 75-75–150
Kay Geitner, South Suburban GC – 75-76–151
Jill Kirkham, Eisenhower GC – 77-76–153
Nancy Boodel, Valley CC – 77-76–153
Juna Orr, Broken Tee GC – 77-77–154
Kimalee Hull, Foothills GC – 74-80–154
Vivian Parle, Colorado Springs CC Lga – 82-73–155
Kathryn Davis, The CC at Castle Pines – 82-75–157
Marilyn Heustis, Broken Tee GC – 81-76–157
Sandra Hill, Valley CC – 78-79–157
Pat Dwyer, Patty Jewett GC – 79-79–158
Patricia Tracy, Greeley CC – 85-74–159
Patty Smogor, Broken Tee GC – 85-75–160
Lynne Janis, Riverdale GC – 79-82–161
Mary Repetto, Broken Tee GC – 85-89–174
Third Flight
Peggy Puckett, Wellshire GC – 73-71–144
Barbara Klenovich, Colorado Springs CC Lga – 71-74–145
Bobby Jackson, Willis Case GC – 73-74–147
Frankie Hood, Deer Creek GC at Meadow Ranch – 74-73–147
Pat Johnson, Indian Tree GC – 78-75–153
Nondis Lowther, Rifle Creek GC – 74-81–155
Patricia Swanson, West Woods GC – 80-75–155
Carol Race, Valley CC – 78-79–157
Susan Beck, Highlands Ranch Wga – 75-82–157
Norma Bisdorf, Overland GC – 75-83–158
Carlene Decker, Kissing Camels at The Garden of the God’s Club – 81-79–160
Denise Thornton, Eisenhower Wga – 76-84–160
Vicki Porter, CommonGround GC – 81-79–160
Willie DiLoreto, The Ranch CC – 82-79–161
Paula Maes, The Club at Pradera – 82-80–162
Juliet Miner, Bear Dance GC – 83-80–163
Lyndon Lieb, Broken Tee GC – 83-81–164
Jenny Elliott, Broken Tee GC – 83-86–169
Fourth Flight
Cindy Christiano, Meadow Hills GC – 67-76–143
Sharon Thiel, Riverdale GC – 75-72–147
Marsha Swoboda, Coal Creek GC – 75-73–148
Barbara DeGrand, Garden of the Gods Lga – 78-71–149
Ginger Doubek, Meadow Hills GC – 75-74–149
Dolly Moreno, Broken Tee GC – 73-80–153
Judy Maillis, Broken Tee GC – 82-74–156
Nancy Wilson, Indian Tree GC – 75-81–156
Donna Edelen, Riverdale GC – 76-82–158
Jo Honeyman, Overland GC – 79-79–158
Marty Hall, Foothills GC – 74-87–161
Pat O’Connor, Collindale GC – 88-80–168
Fifth Flight
Irene Stein, Collindale GC – 70-71–141
Patrish Bergamo, Perry Park CC – 73-71–144
Sally Lou Schultz, Meeker GC – 75-72–147
Susan Elliott, Riverdale GC – 79-68–147
Sherry Lewis, Vail Wga – 79-72–151
Pam Penfold, Willis Case GC – 79-74–153
Becky Finger, Riverdale GC – 78-77–155
Reed Wolff, Broken Tee GC – 75-80–155
Bunny Ambrose, Meadow Hills GC – 77-79–156
Paula Sinn-Penfold, Lake Valley GC – 80-80–160
Sharon Cooksey, Patty Jewett Wga – 78-85–163
Mary Moisio, Eisenhower Wga – 95-92–187
Sixth Flight
Nancy Peters, Hyland Hills GC – 67-75–142
Laurie Schlager, Broken Tee GC – 76-70–146
Kathleen Comes, Valley Hi GC – 71-77–148
Kathy Flynn, Sunset Wga – 78-74–152
Susie Goldberg, Overland Park Wgc – 82-70–152
Stella Madrid, Broken Tee Englewood Wga – 74-79–153
Barbara Schutz, Perry Park CC – 75-80–155
Jan Squires, West Woods GC – 79-77–156
Sally Beswick, Deer Creek GC at Meadow Ranch – 78-79–157
Kathy Mansueto, Broken Tee GC – 82-78–160
Roben Deines, Buffalo Run GC – 81-81–162
Seventh Flight
Sammy Scoma, The Courses at Hyland Hills – 68-66–134
Cindy Gilbert, Eagle Vail GC – 76-75–151
Mary Lou Ray, Heritage Eagle Bend GC – 75-77–152
Phyllis Finlay, Eagle Vail GC – 77-79–156
Jan Lee Heath, Lamar Ladies Golf Association – 82-76–158
Jo-El Freyer, Denver CC – 83-76–159
Julie Berge, Meadow Hills Wga – 76-84–160
Barbara White, Buffalo Run GC – 81-80–161
Suzan Romek, Broken Tee GC – 82-90–172
Cookie Henry, Indian Tree GC – 92-90–182
