Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Christie Austin, winner of the CWGA Brassie Championship five times, has put herself in position for title No. 6, with the help of teammate Kathy West.
With West’s hole-in-one at the 112-yard 15th hole, she and Austin combined to shoot a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday and take a three-stroke lead at the midway point at Rifle Creek Golf Course in Rifle.
Ironically, West’s ace came two holes after she, and then Austin, hit from the wrong tee on the par-5 13th, where a two-stroke penalty left them with a double-bogey 7.
“(West’s) comment after the ball drifted into the hole (on 15 was) ‘I redeemed myself,'” Austin noted in a text. “It was hysterical and great, all at once.”
Austin and West carded an eagle, three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey on Saturday in the best-ball stroke-play event.
Their closest pursuers in the championship flight going into Sunday’s final round are Kathy Malpass and Katherine Moore-Lilly, whose 74 included three birdies.
Sitting in third place are Lynn Larson and Laurie Steenrod, who won the Brassie in 2000 and ’08. They posted a 77 on Saturday.
The gross-score leaders in the other flights after round 1 are Judy Maillis and Lyn Bullen (80 in first flight), Karla Hutchinson and Kathleen Mikoloyck (87 in second flight), and Nondis Lowther and Sue Means (84 in third flight).
The tournament will conclude on Sunday.
For scores from the Brassie, CLICK HERE.
