Thompson Continues Onward; Quarterfinal Matches SetSouthern Pines, N.C. – Two-time winner Marlene Streit, 68, of Canada took three-time defending champion Carol Semple Thompson, 53, of Sewickley, Pa., to 18 holes Tuesday in the third round of match play, but couldn’t pull off the upset at the 41st USGA Senior Women’s Amateur, being held at the par-72, 5,873-yard Mid-Pines Inn and Golf Club.
On a cool and rainy day, Streit couldn’t derail the runaway train that is Thompson at this event, losing 2 down. With two match victories Tuesday, Thompson broke and extended a USGA record for most consecutive matches won in a single championship, which now stands at 21 straight. Thompson entered the day tied with Alexa Stirling and Glenna Collett Vare, both of whom won 19 in a row.
“I’m sort of thinking about my game than setting any records,” said Thompson.
After Streit cut the deficit to 1 down with a 20-foot for birdie on the 15th hole, Thompson continually opened the door for a Streit comeback. On the 16th and 17th holes, Thompson missed putts within 5-foot range to close out the match.
Thompson finally won on the 18th green, when Streit conceded after three-putting.
“Marlene is always a tough competitor,” said Thompson. “It’s nice to get to the quarterfinal. It makes the trip worthwhile at the very least.”
Said Streit, who won her Senior Women’s Amateur titles (1985, ’94) when the format for the championship was 54 holes of stroke play: “They always say the best player wins at stroke play, but I don’t know that I agree with that, because you have to be on the top of your game all through match play.”
On Wednesday, Thompson faces another former champion, this time 1997 victor Nancy Fitzgerald, 58, of Carmel, Ind. Fitzgerald defeated Alice Harcourt, 59, of Fallbrook, Calif., 3 and 2.
Last year’s runner-up, Anne Carr of Renton, Wash., got by Marianne Towersey, 51, of Newport Beach, Calif., 2 and 1. Carr had fallen 2 down through the first three holes, but didn’t give up in a rematch between the two players who faced each other in 2001.
This year Carr took a job as a realtor after retiring from Boeing as a Web page designer in 2000. It left her with less time to practice. So she said she felt fortunate to be as far as she is.
“Last night Marianne told me, ‘It’s my turn this year.’ I said, ‘No, it isn’t,’” said Carr laughing.
In arguably the third round’s most exciting match, Barbara Berkmeyer, 58, of St. Louis, Mo., held off hard-charging Tish Preuss, 63, of Colorado Springs, Colo., in 20 holes after losing a 4-up lead on the last six holes.
On the 20th hole, a 157-yard par 3, Preuss sent her drive into a right green bunker but couldn’t get up and down. A relieved Berkmeyer, exempt after her second-place finish at the Canadian Senior Amateur, grinned from ear to ear.
“I felt like I needed to just hang on,” said Berkmeyer of her thoughts when the lead evaporated, “hit good shots and I’d be OK.”
Others making the quarterfinal were: 55-year-old Connie Shorb of York, Pa.; Alison Murdoch, 52, of Canada; Marsha Butler, 53, of San Diego; and Taffy Brower of Boynton Beach, Fla.
The quarterfinal round begins at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, with the semifinal and final set for Thursday.
The Senior Women’s Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. The event was first played in 1962.
Story written by Ken Klavon, USGA.
Third Round Match Play Results
Southern Pines, N.C. – Scores following the third round of match play Tuesday at the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur, played at the par-72, 5,873-yard Mid-Pines Inn and Golf Club:
1:30 pm Carol Semple Thompson, Sewickley, Pa. (150) def. Marlene Streit, Canada (167), 2 up
1:39 pm Nancy Fitzgerald, Carmel, Ind. (163) def. Alice Harcourt, Fallbrook, Calif. (169), 3 and 2
1:48 pm Anne Carr, Seattle, Wash. (161) def. Marianne Towersey, Newport Beach, Calif.
(154), 2 and 1
1:57 pm Connie Shorb, York, Pa. (161) def. Patty Moore, Charlotte, N.C. (164), 19 Holes
2:06 pm Barbara Berkmeyer, St Louis, Mo. (165) def. Tish Preuss, Colorado Springs,
Colo. (167), 20 Holes
2:15 pm Alison Murdoch, Canada (156) def. Karen Ferree, Hilton Head, S.C. (156), 2 and 1
3:00 pm Taffy Brower, Boynton Beach, Fla. (155) def. Beverly Kim, Wahiawa, Hawaii
(161), 4 and 2
3:09 pm Marsha Butler, San Diego, Calif. (153) def. Sharon Keil, Lady Lake, Fla. (168), 3
and 1
Quarterfinal Pairings (Fourth Round)
9:15 am Carol Semple Thompson, Sewickley, Pa. (150) vs. Nancy Fitzgerald, Carmel, Ind. (163)
9:25 am Anne Carr, Seattle, Wash. (161) vs. Connie Shorb, York, Pa. (161)
9:35 am Barbara Berkmeyer, St Louis, Mo. (165) vs. Alison Murdoch, Canada (156)
9:45 am Marsha Butler, San Diego, Calif. (153) vs. Taffy Brower, Boynton Beach, Fla. (155)
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