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.

Gilkeson, Hardy and Nittoli Share Lead at Women’s Senior Stroke Play

Arlington — Cindy Gilkeson, Marilyn Hardy, and Kelley Nittoli share the lead at the 33rd Women’s Senior Stroke Play after firing rounds of 3-over 75 on Tuesday at Shady Valley Country Club. The trio sits one shot ahead of Austin’s Anna Morales headed into Wednesday’s second round.

Click here for full leaderboard

Leaders: In Tuesday’s first round, San Antonio’s Nittoli rolled in five birdies, Magnolia’s Hardy carded four, and Sugar Land’s Gilkeson tallied three of her own. Hardy previously won this event in 2011, while Nittoli and Gilkeson are seeking their first victory at this championship. Nittoli is fresh off a win last week at the WSGA’s Women’s Southern Senior Amateur. Sitting just one shot back, Morales put herself in great position heading into Wednesday. The Austin Country Club member’s card featured an eagle on the par-5 16th hole. In fifth, and three shots back of the leaders, is Mission’s Stephanie Blount at 6-over.

Flights Division Update: In the Flights Division, Athens’ Lori Daniels took the early three shot lead by shooting a first round 8-over 80. Sitting in second is Plano’s Sara Nelson who carded an 11-over 83. Dallas’ Jan Rapp and The Woodlands’ Margaret Bosman sit in a tie for third at 12-over.

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: Round 2 will tee off from Shady Valley at 9:00 AM on Wednesday 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.

Women’s Senior Stroke Play Set for Oct. 11-13

ARLINGTON – Shady Valley Country Club will be the host site for the 33rd 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 Oct. 11-13.

“We are so excited to bring this event to Shady Valley Country Club,” said Katie O’Connell, TGA Tournament Coordinator. “It’s a fantastic venue for our ladies to come compete at. They have been a joy to work with.”

This championship has seen many highly touted players come away victorious. The 2022 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 to some of the top storylines coming into this year’s championship.

►Anna Schultz, 67, 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.

►Mina Hardin, 62, of Fort Worth, is the defending champion and a two-time winner of this event. Last year, Hardin pulled out the victory by two strokes at 11-under for the championship. 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, 68, of Lubbock, is back in the field this year after missing the 2021 championship. 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, 59, of San Antonio, is fresh off capturing her second WSGA Women’s Southern Senior Amateur title this week. 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 play this year also features advancing to match play at the USGA’s U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur in September.  

►Marilyn Hardy, 62, of Magnolia, was the 2011 champion of this event and a runner-up in 2019. She has made impressive runs in several of the USGA’s U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur championships. In 2020 and 2021, Hardy finished runner-up at the WSGA’s Women’s Southern Senior Amateur.

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.

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 Shady Valley Country Club.

For more information on the 33rd Women’s Senior Stroke Play, click here.

Hardin Wins Women’s Senior Stroke Play

Waco: Mina Hardin of Fort Worth goes wire to wire to win 2021 Women’s Senior Stroke Play by two shots. Hardin entered the Final Round with a three-shot lead over the rest of the field and played solid golf to get the job done. After making bogey on her opening hole, the par-4 first hole, she quickly bounced back with a birdie on the par-4 second hole. Hardin went on to par six of her next seven holes and made the turn at 1-over-par for the day. The back nine got off to a strong start as Hardin made back-to-back birdies on the par-4 12^th and par-3 13^th. With the wind picking up and conditions becoming more difficult, Hardin hit a bump in her round with a pair of bogeys on the 14^th and 15^th and a double bogey on the par-3 16^th. Hardin would settle down and make par on her final two holes to shoot 2-over par on the back, 3-over par on the day. Hardin’s Final Round 75, along with Wednesday’s 73 and Thursday’s 79 was enough to claim the title Friday afternoon with a tournament total 227, 11-over-par.

The Championship Division Super Senior Champion was Linda Light of Arlington. Light posted scores of 80-76-81. The Championship Division Legends Champion was Waco’s very own Nannette Wheelis. Wheelis, representing her home club of Ridgewood CC, carded scores of 81-86-85. The Super Senior Champion coming out of the Flights Division was Jan Rapp of Dallas who finished with scores of 85-85-84.

Leaderboard

1.Mina Hardin (73-79-75, 227)

2.Anna Morales (78-77-74, 229)

3.Linda Light (80-76-81, 237)

T4.Kelley Nittoli (82, 75, 82, 239)

T4.Joanna Staton (74, 82, 83, 239)

Full Leaderboard

In Contention: Finishing runner-up was Anna Morales of Austin. Morales’ Final Round score of 74 was the low score of the day but wasn’t enough to overcome the three-shot deficit. She finished the tournament at 13-over-par 229 with scores of 78-77-74. In third place was Arlington’s Linda Light and in a tie for fourth place was Kelley Nittoli of San Antonio and Joanna Staton of McKinney.

Founders Cup: The Club at Falcon Point, located in Katy, 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 Club at Falcon Point was Dora Daniluck, Annie Gonzales, and Lori Griffith. The club posted a net score of 1-under-par for Round 1. The scores to count included Griffith’s net 3-under-par 69 and Daniluk’s net 2-over-par 74.

Weather: Friday’s Final Round started with calm conditions and mostly cloudy skies before the sun started to break through in the afternoon. Along with the sun came a strong easter wind with gusts up to 30 mph. Temperatures during the final round were in the high 60’s and low 70’s.

Golf Course: Designed by Texan Ralph Plummer, Ridgewood opened for play in 1947. Plummer utilized the site’s natural features – rolling, wooded land overlooking Lake Waco – to create a classic layout that features narrow fairways, cavernous bunkers and exceptionally quick, undulating green complexes.

Next Up: Next on the TGA Women’s schedule is the Women’s Texas Pinehurst. This year’s championship will be played November 1-2 at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course in Fredericksburg. Registration for the Women’s Texas Pinehurst will close on October 20 at 5:00 pm.

For more information on the Texas Golf Association, Women’s Events and more, please visit www.txga.org.