Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton overcame very strong winds in Saturday’s semifinals and final to win the senior title in the prestigious Ione D. Jones/Doherty national women’s amateur championship in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The former Greeley resident, who now lives in Mesa, Arizona, also claimed the senior championship in 2010, and was a likewise a finalist in 2011.
Eaton, 56, prevailed 3 and 2 over Californian Lynne Cowan in Saturday afternoon’s final of the 84th annual tournament, which featured a senior field of 64. Earlier in the day, she beat Gigi Higgins in the semifinals. In both matches, the wind was blowing between 30-40 mph.
Eaton, a three time quarterfinalist in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, won three of her matches in Florida by 1-up margins, including in 19 holes in the round of 16 and in 20 holes in the quarterfinals. She was the 15th seed going into match play.
Eaton has been the CWGA Senior Player of the Year six times since turning 50 in 2009.
