Mrs. Alberta Bower

Mrs. Alberta Bower, of Pelham, N.Y. improved her score in every round and won the 14th United States Senior Women's Championship a day before her 53rd birthday. Mrs. Bower opened with 82, shot 79 in the second round, and finished with 73, for a 54-hole score of 234.

Mrs. Bower won by six strokes over Mrs. Philip Cudone, of Myrtle Beach, S.C. with 240. Mrs. Mark Porter, of Cinnaminson, N. J., was third with 243. The Championship was played at the Rhode Island C. C., West Barrington, R.I.

The defending champion, Mrs. Justine B. Cushing, from Glen Head, N.Y. finished in a tie for eighth place. Mrs. Cudone, who had won this event five times shared the first day lead with Mrs. Porter at 79, and took sole possession of first place with another 79 the second day.

Mrs. Bower was in third place, three strokes behind Mrs. Cudone. Mrs. Porter shot an 81-despite six three-putt greens-and was in second place.

In the final round Mrs. Bower picked up nine strokes on Mrs. Cudone, who could manage only an 82. Mrs. Porter added an 83. Mrs. Bower's closing 73, the only sub-par round of the Championship, included four birdies.

There were 109 entrants, representing 22 states and the District of Columbia.