Christie Austin was on the verge of skipping Monday’s USGA Senior Women’s Amateur qualifying. As a member of the USGA Executive Committee — and of Cherry Hills Country Club — it had been a busy last week and a half for her, with the U.S. Amateur being contested at Cherry Hills and CommonGround Golf Course.
“I almost didn’t even try,” Austin said of qualifying. “I was so tired with the Amateur and I haven’t played very much. I thought, ‘At least I increased the field size (in the qualifier) so there’s more (national spots at stake).’ I had kind of a bad attitude going into the day.”
And while she didn’t play great, the 55-year-old competed well enough Monday at Columbine Country Club to land one of the six available berths in the Senior Women’s Amateur, one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, for which Austin plays such a prominent leadership role.
“I really kind of feel like I don’t deserve it, but I’m not going to turn the spot back,” Austin (pictured above) said after shooting a 9-over-par 81 at Columbine to advance to her second Senior Women’s Am. “I would love to go. And I get to be supportive of the USGA staff that’s there. So I can wear both hats and enjoy it.
“It’s always such a treat to go to our national championships. You feel like a professional, they treat you so well. Which is something we strive to do; we strive to make it the best championship for anybody that plays in them.”
This year’s USGA Senior Women’s Amateur will be contested Sept. 8-13 in Hershey, Pa. Joining Austin at the championship out of Monday’s field of 29 will be medalist Marilyn Hardy (pictured at left), a part-time resident of southwest Colorado who shot a 73 on Monday; Charlotte Barley of Springfield, Ore. (77); Beverly Hoffenberg of Greenwood Village (81); Debbie Blount of Vail (82); and Laurie Steenrod of Aurora (82).
Blount and Steenrod qualified for the second straight year, but they needed a playoff to advance. The five golfers who shot 82 went extra holes to settle the final two qualifiers, and Blount and Steenrod posted a bogey and a par on the two playoff holes to punch their tickets.
Barley and Hoffenberg will be competing in a USGA championship for the first time and Blount the second. The other qualifiers are more veterans, with Austin and Steenrod at about 10 USGA championships each.
But Hardy really has a long resume when it comes to national golf championships. By her estimate, she’s played in roughly 35 of them, including two U.S. Women’s Open, 10 or 11 Women’s Amateurs and about 22 Mid-Ams. In fact, she made the semifinals of the very first U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, losing to eventual champion Cindy Scholefield in 1987 in Tulsa, Okla.
USGA championships “are always special,” said Hardy, who splits time between Houston and the Gunnison/Lake City area of Colorado.
But this will be the first Senior Women’s Am for the 50-year-old Hardy, who missed the age deadline by three days last year.
“I had to wait last year, so this will be a new experience to play the seniors,” she said. “I’ve played in a lot of Mid-Ams and a lot of Amateurs, so this will be a new adventure.”
Meanwhile, Barley and Hoffenberg are ready to soak in the USGA competitor experience for the first time.
“It’s a big deal to me,” said the 55-year-old Barley. “It’s the biggest deal (of her golfing life).”
Added Hoffenberg, also 55: “I’m very excited. It’ll be the thrill of a lifetime.”
Indeed, when Blount made her USGA championship debut last year, it left a deep impression on her. And that’s why she was so determined on Monday to earn a return trip.
“I wanted it so bad this year because I learned so much from it last year, and all I wanted to do is get back,” said the 54-year-old, who still serves as a ski instructor in Vail. “It was truly the most phenomenal golf experience of my life last year. It’s so special. I love it.”
Steenrod, the 1995 CWGA Match Play champion, will be going to her sixth Women’s Senior Amateur. The 56-year-old retired teacher has advanced every year but one since turning 50.
“I’m delighted,” she said. “I love to go. I’ve never been to that part of the country (Hershey, Pa.) and I’m happy to see new golf courses and go hit it out there with the rest of them. It’s going to be a hoot.”
Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton, who went to the quarterfinals of the USGA Senior Women’s Am in 2011 for the second time in three years, was exempt from qualifying this year.
USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying
At Par-72 Columbine CC in Littleton
QUALIFIED FOR USGA SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR
Marilyn Hardy, Houston, Texas – 36-37–73
Charlotte Barley, Springfield, Ore. – 37-40–77
Christie Austin, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. – 43-38–81
Beverly Hoffenberg, Greenwood Village, Colo. – 38-43–81
Debbie Blount, Vail, Colo. – 38-44–82
Laurie Steenrod, Aurora, Colo. – 42-40–82
ALTERNATES (in order)
Deb Hughes, Denver, Colo. – 44-38–82
Christine Gingrich, Centennial, Colo. – 39-43–82
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Beth Clippinger, Centennial, Colo. – 40-42–82
Charlotte Jorgensen, Windsor, Colo. – 44-39–83
Liz Kennedy, Grand Junction, Colo. – 42-41–83
Nancy Ziereis, Centennial, Colo. – 43-40–83
Cindy Pallatino, Scottsdale, Ariz. – 42-42–84
Jennifer Hocking, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 43-41–84
Sandra Young, Monument, Colo. – 41-43–84
Sue Davis, La Quinta, Calif. – 44-42–86
Marianne Ceriani, Golden, Colo. – 42-46–88
Sheryl Larsen, Denver, Colo. – 44-45–89
Jessi McVay, Denver, Colo. – 42-47–89
Katty Rothberg, Denver, Colo. – 46-44–90
Jan Ugale, Greenwood Village, Colo. – 44-46–90
Tangy Buchanan, Littleton, Colo. – 44-48–92
Juliet Miner, Castle Rock, Colo. – 51-49–100
Ginger Doubek, Sedalia, Colo. – 52-53–105
Mary Drey, Lakewood, Colo. – 52-56–108
Cindy Joos, Littleton, Colo. – 53-57–110
Patty Smogor, Centennial, Colo. – WD
Patricia Neuenhoff – WD
