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.

Click here for full leaderboard

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.

#TGA#

Mina Hardin Leads at 34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play

San Angelo — Mina Hardin separates herself from the field at the 34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play sitting at 5-over total after firing rounds of 2-over 74 on Monday and 3-over 75 on Tuesday at Bentwood Country Club. Hardin will have a 3 shot lead going into Wednesday’s final round. 3-shots behind Hardin sits Lubbock’s Marian Barker at 8-over after rounds of 74 and 78.

Click here for full leaderboard

Leaders: In Tuesday’s second round, Fort Worth’s Mina Hardin rolled in two birdies accompanied by five bogeys and eleven pars. Hardin is no stranger to winning Senior Championships, a two-time champion of the Women’s Senior Stroke Play and the 2010 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. At five-over for two rounds, Hardin has a 3-shot lead on the field. Sitting at 8-over par, Lubbock’s Marian Barker fired a 6-over 78. In third place with the tied low round of the day, San Antonio’s Kelly Nittoli fired an even par 72 improving after her first round by 11 strokes.

Flights Division Update: In the Flights Division, Alvarado’s Debbie Macdonald continues to lead the Flights Division with consistent play on Tuesday’s round by firing an 82. With a solid round of 79, Plano’s Sara Nelson is 3-shots back of Macdonald in second. One shot behind Nelson, Heath’s Kristin Hawk sits in third place after a score of 83 in Tuesday’s round. The Flights Division has been divided into three flights based on 36-hole scores for Wednesday’s final round.

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: The final round will tee off from Bentwood Country Club at 9:00 AM on Wednesday morning. After this, 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.

#TGA#

Hardin and Barker Lead at 34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play

San Angelo — Mina Hardin and Marian Barker share the lead at the 34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play after firing rounds of 2-over 74 on Monday at Bentwood Country Club. The duo sits one shot ahead of Dallas’s Nancy Beck headed into Tuesday’s second round.

Click here for full leaderboard

Leaders: In Monday’s first round, Fort Worth’s Mina Hardin along with Lubbock’s Marian Barker rolled in three birdies. Hardin and Barker both know what it takes to win this event with Hardin taking home the trophy in 2013 and 2021 while Barker is a four-time champion winning most recently in 2020. Sitting just one shot back, Nancy Beck put herself in a great position heading into Tuesday. The Dallas natives card featured 14 pars and one birdie. In tie for fourth, and three shots back of the leaders, is Corinth’s D’Lynn McCoppin and San Antonio’s Kathy Crumley.

Flights Division Update: In the Flights Division, Alvarado’s Debbie Macdonald took the early three shot lead by shooting a first round 6-over 78. Sitting in second is Heath’s Kristin Hawk who carded a 9-over 81. Larue’s Deborah Rounsavall and Plano’s Sara Nelson sit in a tie for third at 12-over.

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: Round 2 will tee off from Bentwood at 9:00 AM on Tuesday morning. After this, 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.

34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play Heads to San Angelo 

SAN ANGELO– Bentwood Country Club will be the host site for the 34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play, the second to last event of the year on the Women’s schedule conducted by the Texas Golf Association. The 54-hole championship, which features the state’s top amateur golfers aged 50 and older, will be held Sept. 18-20. 

“We are so excited to bring this event to Bentwood Country Club,” said Amy Worthington, TGA’s Director of Women’s Operations. “It’s a fantastic venue for our ladies to come compete at and allows them to see one of the premiere TGA Member Clubs in West Texas.” 

This championship has seen many highly accomplished players come away victorious. The 2023 field is no different as a multitude of players with impressive resumes will look to add to their illustrious careers. 

The following player profiles have been created as a preview of some of the top storylines coming into this year’s championship. 

►Anna Schultz, 68, of Heath, is one of the most accomplished golfers in the state and a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame since 2013. A three-time winner of this event, Schultz captured the USGA’s 2007 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur title. Her resume would put any golfer in awe as it features incredible success at the local, state, and national level. Last year, Schultz earned co-honors for being the low Super Senior in the field. 

►Mina Hardin, 63, of Fort Worth, is a two-time winner of this event. Most notably, Hardin’s resume includes a win at the USGA’s 2010 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur. A five-time Women’s Texas Amateur champion and a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012, Hardin’s career also features a runner-up finish at the USGA’s 2001 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. 

►Marian Barker, 69, of Lubbock, is back in the field this year after earning Super Senior co-honors last year. The four-time winner of this event will look to capture the title for a fifth time. Her most recent victory was in 2020. A highlight of Barker’s impressive career is advancing to the match play rounds of the USGA’s U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur in 2004, ’09, and ’16. 

►Kelley Nittoli, 60, of San Antonio, finished runner up in last year’s championship at 11-under total. Nittoli, who played for a short stint on the LPGA Tour right after college, is married to Jim Nittoli, Director of Golf at San Antonio Country Club. Nittoli’s impressive playing history also features advancing to match play at the USGA’s U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur in 2022. 

In 2022, Magnolia’s Marilyn Hardy became a two-time champion of this event as she finished the championship at 9-over 225 total. She bested Nittoli by two strokes at Arlington’s Shady Valley Country Club. 

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. 

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 field will be broken into flights based on 36-hole scores. 

Live scoring updates, daily recaps, as well as tee-times and pairings, will be available on the TGA website once the action is underway from Bentwood Country Club. 

For more information on the 34th Women’s Senior Stroke Play, click here. 

Hardy Becomes Two-Time Winner of Women’s Senior Stroke Play

Arlington — Magnolia’s Marilyn Hardy eagled Shady Valley Country Club’s par-5 eighteenth hole to capture the Women’s Senior Stroke Play for the second time. Hardy’s 2-over 74 was good for a two shot victory over San Antonio’s Kelley Nittoli on Thursday. Hardy adds this win along with her victory in 2011 to an already impressive career resume.

Click here for full results

Leaders: Thursday’s final round was a back and forth affair as Hardy and Nittoli traded punches for all eighteen holes. The two competitors came into the last hole tied but Hardy stuck her second shot five feet from the hole. She then calmly sank her eagle putt to clinch the title.

“I think I hit every club in my bag today and every day,” said Hardy. “It’s so hard to play against a really good friend and Kelley just did great today. It was really fun competing against her.”

Nittoli, who finished runner-up in 2020, came close again as she finished two shots behind Hardy at 11-over 227 total for the week.

Austin’s Anna Morales, last years’ runner-up, finished in third at 20-over par for the championship after a final round 7-over 79.

Flights Update: In the Flights Division, Athens’ Lori Daniels capped off a wire to wire victory with a final round 6-over 78. The Super Senior Champion of the Championship Division belonged to both Heath’s Anna Schultz and Lubbock’s Marian Barker after they finished at 24-over 240 total for the tournament. Georgetown’s Joanna Davis claimed the Super Senior title over the Flights Division with a final round 8-over 80. Lastly, Diane Henigan of Montgomery and Waco’s Nannette Wheelis clinched the Legends title.

Founders Cup: The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands Country Club was Margaret Bosman and Lorraine Werner. The club posted a net score of even-par for Round 1.     

Course: Shady Valley Country Club is a privately owned club in Arlington that was founded in 1959 by golf enthusiast Howard Wilemon, Jr. The course is fun and challenging as it features a tight layout and stays true to its name with many trees. This is the first TGA event Shady Valley has hosted.

Tournament Info: The Women’s Senior Stroke Play is in its 33rd year on the schedule and is the second to last event for the women on the 2022 TGA schedule. Mina Hardin captured the victory last year at Ridgewood 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 field will be broken into flights based on 36-hole scores.

POY Points Race: Player of the Year points are awarded to the top ten finishers of the championship division for the Senior Player of the Year race. Marilyn Hardy earned 500 points towards the honor followed by 450 for Nittoli, and 400 for Morales.

What’s Next: One more event remains on the TGA’s schedule for the women in 2022. The Women’s Texas Pinehurst will take place on Nov. 7-8 at Indian Creek Golf Club in Carrollton.

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 Shady Valley Country Club, click here.

Marilyn Hardy Leads 33rd Women’s Senior Stroke Play

Arlington — Magnolia’s Marilyn Hardy shot a 4-over 76 in Wednesday’s second round to take the lead at the Women’s Senior Stroke Play. Hardy, the 2011 champion of this event, will look to claim her second title on Thursday at Shady Valley Country Club. She sits two ahead of San Antonio’s Kelley Nittoli who sits at 9-over for the championship.

Click here for full leaderboard

Leaders: In Wednesday’s second round, Hardy rolled in two birdies on her even-par front nine before going 4-over on the back. She sits at 7-over for the championship. Nittoli, who sits two shots back, played steady golf on Wednesday outside of a triple-bogey on the par-4 fourteenth hole at Shady Valley.

Nittoli has come close before in this event finishing runner-up in 2020 and in a tie for fourth last year. She spoke about what it would mean to win on Thursday.

“I would love to win it because I’ve been runner-up a couple times before,” said Nittoli. “It would be great to be the Senior champion, for sure.”

Austin’s Anna Morales, last years’ runner-up, occupies the third spot at 13-over for the championship behind a 9-over 81 in the second round. Sugar Land’s Cindy Gilkeson sits in fourth at 14-over for the championship after a 11-over 83. Rounding out the top five is Heath’s Anna Schultz at 15-over.

Flights Division Update: In the Flights Division, Athens’ Lori Daniels held onto her round one lead by shooting a second round 12-over 84. She leads Plano’s Sara Nelson and Georgetown’s Joanna Davis by three shots heading into the final round. Dallas’ Jan Rapp shot her second consecutive 12-over 84 to put herself in fourth. The Flights Division has been divided into three flights based on 36-hole scores for Thursday’s final round.

Founders Cup: The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands Country Club was Margaret Bosman and Lorraine Werner. The club posted a net score of even-par for Round 1.     

Course: Shady Valley Country Club is a privately owned club in Arlington that was founded in 1959 by golf enthusiast Howard Wilemon, Jr. The par-71 course is fun and challenging as it features a tight layout and stays true to its name with many trees. This is the first TGA event Shady Valley has hosted.

Tournament Info: The Women’s Senior Stroke Play is in its 33rd year on the schedule and is the second to last event for the women on the 2022 TGA schedule. Mina Hardin captured the victory last year at Ridgewood 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 field 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: The final round will tee off from Shady Valley at 9:00 AM on Thursday morning. After this, one more event remains on the TGA’s schedule for the women in 2022. The Women’s Texas Pinehurst will take place on Nov. 7-8 at Indian Creek Golf Club in Carrollton.

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 Shady Valley Country Club, click here.