Oregon's Budke Prepared For Long 'Stay' At Home

Mary Budke, 53, has had this championship marked on the calendar for several years now. For the Eugene, Ore., native, this is almost like a home game.

“Yes, I have been looking forward to this week for some time now,” said Budke, who won her opening-round match, 4 and 2, over Mitsue Lewis, of San Diego, Calif.

“I think the deeper I go, more friends and I’m sure my brothers will come out. But, a lot of people have told me they’ve been following me online, as well. So it’s been nice.”

Mary Budke, of Eugene, is the only remaining player from Oregon. Her preparations are helping her cause. (Robert Walker/USGA)

To make sure she did not disappoint, Budke amped up her preparation for this championship. She played the Meadows Course three times in June and had played it about a half dozen times prior to this week. All this was happening while she held down a job as an emergency room doctor. Familiarity, in this case, has not bred contempt.

“I feel comfortable on the course,” said Budke, who was the 1972 Women’s Amateur champion, a 19742U.S. Curtis Cup Match member and the 2002 U.S. captain. “It’s helped mentally to know where to hit shots and such. And, this course sets up well for my tee ball.”

Budke did not recall missing a fairway in a round in which she was 2-under through 16 holes with the usual concessions.

About five years ago, Budke began working with Jennifer Yockey, who at the time was a Sunriver Resort summer instructor. The bug to play at a high competitive level again was feeding her desire to regain her game.

“I just really loved the learning process,” she said. “And turning 50, I thought was a good time to work more on my game. Then, when you see the improvement, you want to put it to the test.”

So far this week, Budke is passing with high marks.   

Thompson Still Feels The Nerves, Despite A Ton of Experience

Carol Semple Thompson, despite this being her 106th USGA championship and ninth USGA Women’s still allows herself to get nervous in playing conditions. In fact, she relishes the emotion to a certain degree.

“If I don’t, then I wonder if there is any meaning to what I’m doing,” said Thompson, of Sewickley, Pa., who defeated Kathleen Hunt, of Buffalo, N.Y., 3-and-2 in the opening round of match play. Thompson will face Connie Shorb, of York, Pa., in Tuesday’s second round.

Thompson, who has been ousted by reigning two-time champion Diane Lang each of the past two years, admits her game is “a little suspect” this week.

“My swing and putting just are not where I would like them to be,” she said, “So it’s a little frustrating. I’m still trying to get my body and soul to do what I want them to do.”

Thompson said she will try to find that something “magical” in her swing, as opposed to just trying to put a band-aid on the problem. So even with a possible 36-hole day looming on Tuesday, Thompson was off to the range to hit a few balls.

NAMES, NOTES AND NOTABLES: Who ever said seeding did not matter in match play. On Tuesday, 24 of the 32 matches were won by players who had lower stroke-play scores. … Only five matches managed to reach the 18th hole, while 12 were decided on the 17th. … There still remains a very large international contingent left in the field of 32 as Holly Horwood (Canada), Lynda Palahniuk (Canada), Cecilia Mourgue D’Algue (France), Beatriz Arenas (Guatemala) and Diane Lang (Jamaica) all won in the opening round.

Compiled by Stuart Hall

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