Deb Hughes has only been playing tournament golf for about four years, but she’s no stranger to high-level sports endeavors, and that experience apparently serves her well on the golf course.
The Denver resident shot a 2-over-par 74 Thursday at Pinehurst Country Club to earn medalist honors in USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifying.
It marked Hughes’ second straight year of qualifying for the Senior Women’s Am, but she’s also competed in plenty of other big-time sports events, most notably at a national level in softball. She gave that up a while ago, but her competitive fire is still intact.
“Softball is a team sport, so you can have an off day or an off game and some of your teammates will pick you up, but not so much here (in golf),” she said. “It’s very different in that way, but I almost like it better in that regard.”
Hughes (pictured) was one of eight USGA Senior Women’s Amateur qualifiers out of a field of 33 on Thursday. Joining her in advancing to the national event were Kim Eaton of Greeley (75), Laurie Steenrod of Aurora (77), Marybeth Clippinger of Centennial (79), Sue Davis of La Quinta, Calif. (79), Sandra Young of Monument (80), Debbie Blount of Vail (81) and Mary Doyen of Denver (81).
All earned spots in the 50th USGA Senior Women’s Am, which is set for Sept. 10-15 at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn.
Steenrod qualified for the fifth time in six years, while Eaton will play for the third consecutive summer, Clippinger for the third time in four years, and Hughes for the second straight year.
Hughes only took up golf eight years ago, and she’s obviously improved by leaps and bounds over that time.
“I’ve only been competing for a short time, so I’m learning as I go,” said the 54-year-old, who plays out of Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. “I’m at an older age, trying to find my place, and I love competing. I feel like I’m finally getting to where I can compete toe to toe with some of these girls.
“I practice a lot and read a lot and study the game. I feel like I’m doing pretty good right now. (Qualifying) is a huge deal. I’ve been planning for it for an entire year.”
Eaton, the CWGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year in 2010, will be going to her 13th non-team USGA championship and her third Senior Women’s Amateur. Two years ago, she not only qualified for this event, but she made it to match play and advanced to the quarterfinals. She also earned a spot in match play last year.
“The USGA Seniors (is a big deal) because I think I can win it,” said Eaton, a 52-year-old who also made it to the round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur last year. “I know I can play with them.”
In addition to her three USGA Senior Women’s Amateurs, Eaton has qualified for two U.S. Women’s Opens (making the cut in 1983), three U.S. Women’s Amateurs, four U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs and a U.S. Girls’ Junior.
“It’s fun playing in USGA events,” said Eaton, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
Eaton, who teamed up with Tami Holt to win the CWGA Brassie Championship earlier this week, hit 16 greens in regulation on Thursday, but four three-putts left her 3 over par for the day.
“I wanted to be the medalist or tie for the medalist, but hey, I’m going (to the national tournament),” she said.
Steenrod, who defeated Eaton in the senior-division finals of the CWGA Match Play last month, was 1 over par through 15 holes Thursday before faltering a little down the stretch, but she still qualified for her seventh non-team USGA championship.
“They really are” a significant accomplishment, said the 55-year-old recently-retired teacher. “You’re playing against good players, and on a tough course. So yeah, they’re a big deal, especially the older I get.”
Clippinger was one of five players to break 80 on Thursday, in her case despite carding a triple-bogey 8 on the 16th hole and a double bogey on No. 10.
“When you get a triple bogey and a double bogey and you shoot 79, I’m happy with that,” said the 59-year-old who plays out of Inverness Golf Club. “(Qualifying) is my highlight of the summer. It’s a big deal. I’ve been working hard at my game.”
Like Steenrod, Davis broke 80 despite a less-than-ideal finish — in her case double bogeys on both No. 17 and 18 following a bogey on No. 16.
USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-72 Pinehurst CC in Denver
QUALIFIERS
Deb Hughes, Denver, Colo. – 37-37–74
Kim Eaton, Greeley, Colo. – 36-39–75
Laurie Steenrod, Aurora, Colo. – 37-40–77
Marybeth Clippinger, Centennial, Colo. – 37-42–79
Sue Davis, La Quinta, Calif. – 36-43–79
Sandra Young, Monument, Colo. – 39-41–80
Debbie Blount, Vail, Colo. – 40-41–81
Mary Doyen, Denver, Colo. – 40-41–81
ALTERNATES (in order)
Kathy Malpass, Evergreen, Colo. – 39-43–82
Jennifer Hocking, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 40-43–83
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Sally Lawrence, Englewood, Colo. – 41-42–83
Shawna Ianson, Boise, Idaho – 43-41–84
Lindsay Wortham, Richmond, Va. – 41-44–85
Lynn Larson, Iron Mountain, Mich. – 40-45–85
Liz Kennedy, Grand Junction, Colo. – 43-43–86
Jessi McVay, Denver, Colo. – 43-44–87
Nancy Ziereis, Centennial, Colo. – 44-43–87
Christine Gingrich, Centennial, Colo. – 41-47–88
Mary S. Smith, Sheridan, Wyo. – 41-48–89
Jan Milne, Carefree, Ariz. – 43-47–90
Beverly Hoffenberg, Greenwood Village, Colo. – 42-48–90
Darlene Evans, Arvada, Colo. – 43-47–90
Virginia Love, Westminster, Colo. – 44-47–91
Shirley Kaetzer, Cheyenne, Wyo. – 43-49–92
Patricia Swanson, Arvada, Colo. – 44-48–92
Juliet Miner, Castle Rock, Colo. – 46-48–94
Mary Drey, Lakewood, Colo. – 45-52–97
Patty Smogor, Centennial, Colo. – 48-49–97
Ginger Doubek, Sedalia, Colo. – 47-51–98
Suzann Burley, Englewood, Colo. – 49-53–102
Katty Rothberg, Denver, Colo. – 54-48–102
Peggy Puckett, Denver, Colo. – 51-53–104
Pat O’Connor, Fort Collins, Colo. – 52-54–106
