Mrs. David L. Hibbs

For the first time in five years the senior women had a new Champion. Mrs. David L. Hibbs, of Long Beach, Calif., concluded Mrs. Philip J. Cudone's custody of the Senior Women's Amateur Championship by scoring 229 for 54 holes at the San Marcos Country Club, Chandler, Ariz., in her second attempt.

Mrs. Cudone, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., had won every year since 1968. Mrs. Hibbs' 229 set a record; the previous record of 231 was first set by Mrs. Cudone in 1970. Mrs. I. Wayne Rutter, of Williamsville, N.Y., was runner-up for the second year in succession, with a score of 235, six strokes back of Mrs. Hibbs.

Mrs. James Roessler, of San Jose, Calif., was third at 236, while Mrs. Cudone finished fourth, one stroke back with 237. In the first round Mrs. Hibbs scored a four-over-par 8 on the first hole, but recovered and shot 77, tying Mrs. Cudone for second place.

At the end of the day, Mrs. Rutter led with 76. Mrs. Hibbs shot even par 74 the second day and took a six-stroke lead with a 36-hole score of 151. Mrs. Rutter was second with 157, Mrs. Cudone third at 158, and Mrs. Roessler fourth with 159. Both Mrs. Rutter and Mrs. Cudone shot 81, while Mrs. Roessler had an 80.

Mrs. Hibbs shot 78 in the final round to Mrs. Rutter's 78 and Mrs. Cudone's 79. Mrs. Roessler had a 77 to pull ahead of Mrs. Cudone into third place. There were 98 entries-the second largest in the 12-year history of the Championship-and 95 starters.