Part-time Gunnison resident Marilyn Hardy estimates she’s competed in about 20 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs over the years, and she once advanced as far as the semifinals at the national championship.
Hardy (left, with husband Jim) would like to make another deep run in the tournament for players 25 and older, but first things first. She must make match play to extend her stay at this year’s tournament, which began on Saturday at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Mo.
Hardy shot a 7-over-par 79 on Saturday to lead the way for the Colorado competitors at the Women’s Mid-Am. She made 11 pars and seven bogeys on day 1 and trails stroke-play leader Meghan Stasi of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by 10 with one round of stroke play remaining. Stasi has won this national title four times.
The top 64 players — out of the original field of 132 — after Sunday’s round 2 will make the 64-person match-play bracket.
Also in the top 64 after one round was Staci Creech of Englewood, who has earned spots in match play in three of her last four appearances in this national championship. Creech, the wife of new University of Denver athletic director Karlton Creech, shot an 80 and is tied for 63rd place despite taking a triple-bogey 8 on Saturday.
Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore opened with an 82 and shares 88th place.
U.S. WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR
Norwood Hills CC in St. Louis, Mo.
53. Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison 79
63. Staci Creech, Englewood 80
88. Janet Moore, Centennial 82
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
