Around the Green

Mina Hardin Becomes Three-Time Winner of the Senior Stroke Play

San Angelo — Fort Worth’s Mina Hardin has a nearly perfect scorecard for the final round of the 34^th Women’s Senior Stroke Play carding 16 pars and two bogeys at Bentwood Country Club. Hardin’s 2-over 74 was good for a five-shot victory over San Antonio’s Kelley Nittoli on Wednesday. Hardin adds another win along with her victories in 2013 and 2020 to an already impressive career resume.

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Leaders: Hardin had a comfortable lead of three shots heading into Wednesday’s round ahead of Lubbock’s Marian Barker. Hardin’s stayed steady throughout the round while San Antonio’s Kelly Nittoli made a charge up the leader board to second after a round of 1-over 73. Nittoli, who finished runner-up in last year’s championship, came close again as she finished five shots behind Hardin at 12-over 228 total for the week. Lubbock’s Marian Barker, the 2020 champion, finished in third at 13-over par for the championship after a final round 5-over 77. San Antonio’s Claudia Ramirez fired a final round of 2-over 74 to move up one spot into fourth place. Rounding out the top-5, Heath’s Anna Schultz posted a 4-over, 76 to finish 18-over 234.

Flights Division Update: Alvarado’s Debbie Macdonald capped off a wire to wire victory with a final round 9-over 81. The Super Senior Champion of the Championship Division belonged to Lubbock’s Marian Barker after she finished at 13-over 229 total for the tournament. Alvarado’s Debbie Macdonald claimed the Super Senior title over the Flights Division with a total 25-over 241 for the tournament. Lastly, Amarillo’s Rebecca Jones clinched the Legends title.

Founders Cup: This year’s championship host club, Bentwood Country Club, took home this year’s Founders Cup. The Founders Cup is awarded to the club with the two lowest combined net scores from Round 1. Representing Bentwood Country Club was Mary DeJacomo and Jerry Whitfield. The club posted a net score of 5-under for Round 1.

Course: Bentwood Country Club, host of this year’s championship, has been expertly designed by William P. Martindale, (noted golf architect and former touring professional). Penalty areas and numerous bunkers are strategically placed to give the 6,932 yard course a challenging unique character. The par-72 West Texas gem first opened in 1979.

Tournament Info: The Women’s Senior Stroke Play is in its 34th year on the schedule and is the second to last event for the women on the 2023 TGA schedule. Marilyn Hardy captured the victory last year at Shady Valley Country Club. The championship is a 54-hole stroke play competition. The 16 players with the lowest handicap indexes at the Women’s Senior Stroke Play will be required to play from the Championship Tees (approx. 5500-5700 yards). All other players may select which tees they wish to play from – the Championship Tees or the Flights Tees (approx. 5100-5300 yards). Upon completion of Round 2, the flights division will be broken into flights based on 36-hole scores.

POY Points Race: Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top ten finishers of the championship division for the Senior Player of the Year race. The champion will earn 500 points towards the honor followed by 450 for runner-up, 400 for third, 350 for fourth and 300 for fifth.

What’s Next: One more event remains on the TGA’s schedule for the women in 2023. The Women’s Texas Pinehurst will take place on Nov. 6-7 at Sterling Country Club in Houston.

About the TGA: The Texas Golf Association was established in 1906 with a mission to promote the playing and advancement of the royal and ancient game of golf in Texas. The association is one of the most respected in the country with an ongoing commitment to its members, contestants, volunteers and all who strive to preserve the great traditions of the game.

For More information about the Women’s Senior Stroke Play, click here. To see all the scores from Bentwood Country Club, click here.

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