Kim Eaton now has an even handful of titles when it comes to the CWGA Senior Stroke Play.

The Colorado Golf Hall of Famer dominated the 35th playing of the tournament this week at Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland, winning the event for the fifth time “” but the first since 2013.

On Tuesday, the margin of victory was 13 shots, giving her three wins by double digits in the tournament. She prevailed by 16 shots in 2012 and by 10 in 2013.

Tuesday’s victory gave the Mesa, Ariz., resident her third season sweep of the CWGA Senior Stroke Play and Senior Match Play. She also managed to pull off that feat in 2010 and ’13.

“It’s a big deal to win both (in the same year),” said the 58-year-old (pictured). “There’s some good players here and when you can win both, that kind of tells you really who the best senior is in Colorado.”

Overall, Tuesday’s CWGA title was the 24th of Eaton’s career, leaving her just one shy of Carol Flenniken’s record of 25.

“It means I’m a step closer,” said Eaton, who tentatively plans to compete in the Senior Match Play, Senior Stroke Play and Brassie in Colorado in 2018. “It means next year I could do it.”

Eaton followed up her 5-under-par 67 on Monday with a 3-over 75 on Tuesday, leaving her with a 2-under 142 total. The four-time U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur quarterfinalist made three birdies on Tuesday, including an impressive one from 8 feet on the final hole after hitting her approach with her feet in a fairway bunker and her ball in the rough. “That was probably the longest putt I made all week,” said Eaton, whose one major blemish of the final round was a triple-bogey 8 on the fifth hole. (Eaton is pictured at top receiving a high-five from playing partner Tiffany Maurycy on No. 18 on Tuesday.)

“I started out birdie-par-birdie and thought, “˜Maybe I can do as good as I did yesterday,'” said Eaton, a former police officer who won two gold medals and two silvers in golf last week in the World Police and Fire Games in Los Angeles. “But that 8 kind of derailed me.”

Kathy West of Castle Pines, who recently won the CWGA Brassie title with Christie Austin, finished runner-up on Tuesday in just her second CWGA championship. West carded the best score of the final round, a 74, to check in at 11-over-par 155.

It was a welcome result for West, who has undergone a fusion of vertebrae in her neck and two shoulder surgeries in recent years, and endured a very rough airplane landing in 2016 that set back her recovery.

“I’m really thankful that I’m even able to play golf,” said West, who splits her time between Tulsa, Okla., Castle Pines and Scottsdale, Ariz. “I’m not sure I was going to be able to play (following the surgeries). Today I had it going. It was so much fun. This was probably was one of the best (ball)-striking rounds I’ve had since I had my surgeries. And it was in a tournament, which makes it better.

“It was a really good tournament for me. (The airplane situation) screwed up my neck again and so I had to start all over again getting healthy. This is only the second individual event for me since over a year ago. That’s one reason I’m kind of proud of (the result).”

Mary Doyen of Denver, the 2011 champion, came in third at 156 after a closing 76. (Pictured, from left, are Doyen, Eaton and West.) And two-time winner and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Lynn Zmistowski of Boulder was fourth at 157 after an 80 on Tuesday.

Maurycy, who had been in second place after Monday, self-reported signing an incorrect scorecard in the first round and was disqualified.

The gross score champions in the other flights were: Linda Raunig (First Flight, 74 82″“156); Patricia Sato (Second Flight, 83-79″“162); Peggy Puckett (Third Flight, 86-80″“166); Claudia Gallegos (Fourth Flight, 85 87″“172); Ann Scarry (Fifth Flight, 91-85″“176); Insook Bhushan (Sixth Flight, 87-97″“184); and Lucille Carroll (Seventh Flight, 93-96″“189).

The net flight winners were Doyen (Championship Flight, 73-69″“142); Linda Raunig (First Flight, 64-72″“136); Donna Edelen (Second Flight, 69-69″“138); Peggy Puckett (Third Flight, 70-64″“134); Claudia Gallegos (Fourth Flight, 68-70″“138); Ann Scarry (Fifth Flight, 70-64″“134); Insook Bhushan (Sixth Flight, 64-74″“138); Lucille Carroll (Seventh Flight, 64-67″“131).

For all the net scores, CLICK HERE.

CWGA Senior Stroke Play

At Par-72 Mariana Butte GC in Loveland

GROSS SCORES

Championship Flight

 Kim Eaton 67 75 “” 142

 Kathy West 81 74 “” 155

 Mary Doyen 80 76 “” 156

 Lynn Zmistowski 77 80 “” 157

 Kelly Martin 77 82 “” 159

 Christie Austin 77 83 “” 160

 Katherine Moore-Lilly 81 80 “” 161

 Kathy Malpass 82 80 “” 162

 Lisa Lee 84 81 “” 165

 Sandra Bickel 79 86 “” 165

 Meghan Christensen 84 82 “” 166

 Debra Woolf 85 82 “” 167

 Nina Dulacki 82 85 “” 167

 Laurie Steenrod 86 85 “” 171

 Pam Ryan 88 85 “” 173

 Tiffany Maurycy DQ

First Flight

Linda Raunig 74 82 “” 156

Jane Ford 78 79 “” 157

Jennifer Hocking 80 78 “” 158

Jill Kirkpatrick 82 76 “” 158

LeAnna Rosenow 80 78 “” 158

Nancy Werkmeister 83 81 “” 164

Louise Lyle 83 81 “” 164

Patty Smogor 83 81 “” 164

Mary Lou Grooms 80 85 “” 165

Kathleen Johnson 81 85 “” 166

Kate Connor 83 84 “” 167

Dee Baker 86 83 “” 169

Phyllis Emrich 84 85 “” 169

Second Flight

Patricia Sato 83 79 “” 162

Donna Edelen 82 82 “” 164

Pam Cortez 84 83 “” 167

Karen Leuschel 83 84 “” 167

Mariko Coplin 83 86 “” 169

Wendy Atkinson 81 89 “” 170

Kay Geitner 82 89 “” 171

Kimalee Hull 89 83 “” 172

Myoungsoon Kim 86 86 “” 172

Patricia Swanson 87 85 “” 172

Valerie Hunter 83 90 “” 173

Sue Dischner 86 88 “” 174

Karen Chase 89 87 “” 176

Debra Bolke 95 89 “” 184

Maggie Brindley 94 95 “” 189

Chris Jansen WD

Tina Johnson WD

Third Flight

Peggy Puckett 86 80 “” 166

Karin Hathaway 80 89 “” 169

Hee Chung 85 84 “” 169

Anne Cadden 82 88 “” 170

Berta Thimmig 87 83 “” 170

Barbara Mcduffie 86 87 “” 173

Dot Lindsey 90 83 “” 173

Janine Lowe 84 90 “” 174

Vicki Porter 84 90 “” 174

Pam Levkulich 88 91 “” 179

Darlene Evans 89 90 “” 179

Suzanne Wibby 92 89 “” 181

Suzanne Kanaly 89 93 “” 182

Kathryn Davis 91 92 “” 183

Jean Melaragno 93 91 “” 184

Jennifer Tempas 94 93 “” 187

Lea Croghan 98 92 “” 190

Fourth Flight

Claudia Gallegos 85 87 “” 172

Pam Hauck 85 88 “” 173

Pat O’Connor 90 87 “” 177

Joni Hornbeck 90 89 “” 179

Amy Hicks 86 93 “” 179

Paula Sinn-Penfold 89 91 “” 180

Deborah Sturm 92 89 “” 181

Kate Laudon 93 88 “” 181

Jenny Elliott 87 95 “” 182

Judy Maillis 91 94 “” 185

Peggy Bauer 93 93 “” 186

Paulette Engrav 101 95 “” 196

Irene Stein 103 100 “” 203

Fifth Flight

Ann Scarry 91 85 “” 176

Sharon Thiel 91 87 “” 178

Linda Yamaguchi 93 86 “” 179

Juna Orr 89 93 “” 182

Cindy Ortega 95 87 “” 182

Mary Goulart 91 93 “” 184

Connie Garcia 91 94 “” 185

Amber Leis 104 84 “” 188

Sammy Scoma 95 94 “” 189

Dee Riedel 99 91 “” 190

Kim Normandin 100 90 “” 190

Sue Knutson 104 89 “” 193

Veronica Crain 100 96 “” 196

Carol Jessop 101 101 “” 202

Deb Stratton 100 110 “” 210

Sixth Flight

Insook Bhushan 87 97 “” 184

Beverly Byer 94 92 “” 186

Rochelle Tisdale 94 92 “” 186

Becky Finger 97 90 “” 187

Susan Elliott 102 91 “” 193

JoAnn Barbour 97 97 “” 194

Bunny Ambrose 96 100 “” 196

Betty-Ann Wittenberg 101 96 “” 197

Vickie Bajtelsmit 100 101 “” 201

Laura Laux 106 98 “” 204

Sandy McChesney 103 101 “” 204

Rachel Maes 100-WD

Seventh Flight

Lucille Carroll 93 96 “” 189

Barbara Bender 96 96 “” 192

Marcia Hall 99 95 “” 194

Nancy Loftus 101 98 “” 199

Kathy Flynn 101 99 “” 200

Woody Hagin 102 98 “” 200

Susie Goldberg 105 100 “” 205

Cheri Wallace 101 105 “” 206

Kathy Mansueto 101 106 “” 207

JoAnn Smith 105 103 “” 208

Dolly Moreno 107 104 “” 211

Deanna Messerli 107 109 “” 216

Lesley Ackerman 110 113 “” 223 

Eaton, a Mesa, Ariz., resident who last won this championship in 2013, made six birdies on Monday and fired a 5-under-par 67.

Earlier this summer, Eaton (pictured) won the CWGA Senior Match Play and now she’s seeking a 2017 sweep of the top state titles for women amateurs 50 and older. Should Eaton win on Tuesday, she’ll own 24 CWGA championships overall, leaving her one short of Carol Flenniken’s career record.

Tiffany Maurycy of Denver is Eaton’s closest pursuer heading into Tuesday’s final round. She shot a 3-over-par 75 on Monday.

Two Colorado Golf Hall of Famers “” Christie Austin of Denver and Lynn Zmistowski of Boulder, each of whom has won this championship twice “” share third place at 77 with Kelly Martin.

In all, 116 players are entered in the 36-hole championship, with competition broken up into eight flights, both gross and net.

Tuesday’s final round will begin at 9 a.m., for all competitors “” via shotgun start.

 For all the scores, CLICK HERE.

The three “” Kim Eaton, Christie Austin and Lynn Zmistowski “” have combined to win this championship eight times since 2006, with Eaton capturing the title four times, and Austin and Zmistowski twice each.

The 36-hole tournament will feature 116 players competing in a variety of flights, with handicap indexes ranging from plus-1 for Eaton to 32.

Last year’s champion, Deb Hughes, isn’t entered as she’s competing in the Senior Women’s North & South Amateur Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. But the winners of every CWGA Senior Stroke Play from 2006 through ’14 are scheduled to tee it up. In addition to Eaton (winner in 2009, ’10, ’12 and ’13), Zmistowski (2006 and ’08) and Austin (2007 and ’14), 2011 champion Mary Doyen is entered. Only six-time champion Lynn Larson has won the CWGA Senior Stroke Play more than Eaton.

Eaton will be seeking her 24th CWGA championship overall as she’s pursuing the record of 25, set by Carol Flenniken. Eaton won the CWGA Senior Match Play title last month at Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City.

For Monday’s first-round pairings, CLICK HERE.

But to hear her tell it, that was about the furthest thing from the truth.

“I haven’t won this before — I’ve come in second once — but that’s a lot of pressure,” the player from Green Valley Ranch Golf Club said. “I was so distracted by how I stood and what I wanted to do — and then I’ve got to hit a shot. It’s very, very stressful.”

However it came about, Tuesday’s performance resulted in a lopsided victory. And not only that, but a career “senior slam” for Hughes in CWGA championships.

Two years after claiming the CWGA Senior Match Play title, Hughes posted her double-digit victory in the Senior Stroke Play. She shot a 5-over-par 79 on Tuesday, leaving her at 7-over 155 overall.

Hughes, who will turn 59 next week, becomes the sixth player to have won both the CWGA Senior Stroke Play and the Senior Match Play over their careers. She joins Lynn Larson, Mary Doyen and Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Christie Austin, Kim Eaton and Lynn Zmistowski.

“When I won the (Senior) Match Play, I wanted this so bad — too much, to be honest,” Hughes said. “I wanted to win both. My wife (Alex) and I, we’re not Buddhists, but in Buddhism you’re supposed to (let go) of expectations. That kind of helped me. But now that I have (the CWGA senior slam), my golf career is pretty awesomely set. It’s the source of immense pride for me.”

Colorado Golf Hall of Fame inductee Janet Moore trailed Hughes by three after the first round, but withdrew before round 2 due to back problems. So tying for second place in the championship flight on Tuesday, at 166, were Bev Hoffenberg of Columbine Country Club and Kathleen Johnson of The Ranch Country Club.

Though Hughes made two double bogeys on Tuesday, including three-putting from 1 foot on one hole, the rest of the round she was rock solid, posting a birdie, 13 pars and two bogeys. And she almost aced the 128-yard par-3 11th hole, where she made birdie, hitting an 8-iron to 6 inches.

For the 36-hole tournament, Hughes finished with six birdies.

All in all, it was a very satisfying end to a golf season in which she has played in an abundance of tournaments, including the recent U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Wellesley, Mass.

“I had a really (busy) year” on the golf course, Hughes said. “I was tired. To be honest when I came into the tournament, I was saying to a friend, ‘I just want this to be over. I want to rest, I want to sleep.’ So I get to rest now. And I feel so great about the win.”

Gross-score champions in the other flights of the Senior Stroke Play on Tuesday were: Pam Cortez of Coal Creek (165, first flight), Carol Key of the Country Club of Colorado (173, second flight), Marie Schriefer of South Suburban (177, third flight) and Connie Garcia of Fox Hollow (192, fourth flight).

For interactive scores, CLICK HERE.
 

CWGA Senior Stroke Play
At Par-74 Patty Jewett GC in Colorado Springs
GROSS

Championship Flight
Deb Hughes, Green Valley Ranch Wga 76-79–155
Beverly Hoffenberg, Columbine CC Lga 85-81–166
Kathleen Johnson, Ranch CC Lga 87-79–166
Ron Irons, Eisenhower Wga 86-81–167
Nancy Ziereis, Valley CC Wga 79-89–168
Louise Lyle, Patty Jewett Wgc 83-86–169
Carla Stearns, Wellshire Women 86-89–175
Betty Bullington, Eisenhower Wga 94-86–180
Patty Smogor, Saddle Rock Wga 98-85–183
Jane Ford, Hyland Hills Wga 96-92–188
Janet Moore, Cherry Hills CC Wga 79-WD–WD
 
First Flight
Pam Cortez, Coal Creek Wga 84-81–165
Patricia Swanson, West Woods Wga 88-82–170
Wendy Atkinson, Ranch CC Lga 85-86–171
Karen Leuschel, Riverdale Wga 88-84–172
Lisa Bolam, Highland Meadows GC 89-83–172
Maggie Brindley, Pinehurst CC Wga 90-82–172
Nancy Werkmeister, Foothills Wga 82-90–172
Janine Lowe, South Suburban Wga 85-88–173
Penny Mack, Patty Jewett Wgc 89-84–173
Carol Heupel, Colorado Springs CC Lga 93-81–174
Betsy White, Kissing Camels Lga 87-93–180
Karen Chase, Fox Hollow Lgc 99-82–181
Kay Geitner, Littleton Lgc 94-91–185
Peggy Puckett, Wellshire Wga 96-94–190
Dee Baker, Shining Mountain Wga 99-92–191
 
Second Flight
Carol Key, CC of Colorado Wga 84-89–173
Valerie Hunter, CC of Colorado Wga 87-87–174
Andrea Berry, Indian Peaks Wga 90-86–176
Becky O’Brien, Links Lga 90-86–176
Pat Dwyer, Patty Jewett GC 89-87–176
Karin Hathaway, Wellshire Women 92-87–179
Lea Croghan, Spring Valley Wga 92-89–181
Jennifer Tempas, Columbine CC Lga 92-90–182
Carlene Decker, Kissing Camels Lga 92-95–187
Claudia Gallegos, South Suburban Wga 96-92–188
Annette Sulzman, Aurora Hills Wga 93-97–190
Kim Kaiser, Foothills Wga 97-95–192
Donna Edelen, Riverdale Wga 94-103–197
Barbara Ingledue, Fox Hollow Lgc 99-99–198
Juliet Miner, Bear Dance Wga 98-100–198
Bobby Jackson, Willis Case Wga 97-WD–WD
 
Third Flight
Marie Schriefer, South Suburban Wga 85-92–177
Barbara DeGrand, Kissing Camels GC 96-82–178
Lyndon Lieb, Broken Tee Englewood Wga 90-90–180
Becky Hammer, Kissing Camels Lga 96-89–185
Becky Finger, Riverdale Wga 95-92–187
Marilyn Swedenburg, Eisenhower Wga 93-95–188
Judy Maillis, Broken Tee Englewood Wga 95-94–189
Sharon Thiel, Riverdale Wga 98-91–189
Beverly Byer, Wellshire Wga 103-94–197
Denise Thornton, Eisenhower Wga 98-99–197
Jalinda Gieck, Patty Jewett Wgc 103-94–197
Amy Hicks, Spring Valley Wga 101-100–201
Connie Norkoli, Heritage Eagle Bend Wga 107-94–201
Holly Schuetz, Meadow Hills Wga 106-96–202
Susan Elliott, Riverdale Wga 100-102–202
 
Fourth Flight
Connie Garcia, Fox Hollow Lgc 101-91–192
Cindy Ortega, Foothills Wga 101-92–193
Harlene Bowman, South Suburban Wga 99-97–196
Kathleen Comes, Patty Jewett GC 103-98–201
Linda Schippers, Heritage Eagle Bend Wga 105-100–205
Audrey McEwen, Coal Creek Wga 105-101–206
Ramona Conner, Murphy Creek Wga 107-99–206
Barbara Fagan, Heritage Eagle Bend Wga 102-105–207
Virginia Newton, Aspen Wga 105-102–207
Bunny Ambrose, Riverdale Wga 104-105–209
Diane Dubose, Applewood Wga 105-104–209
Sandra Schnitzer, Riverdale Wga 104-106–210
Cheri Wallace, Meadow Hills Wga 109-105–214
JoAnn Smith, Foothills Wga 103-111–214
Deanna Messerli, Riverdale Wga 105-112–217
Carol Peterson, Twin Peaks 115-122–237

NET
Championship Flight

Kathleen Johnson, Ranch CC Lga 80-72–152
Nancy Ziereis, Valley CC Wga 71-81–152
Ron Irons, Eisenhower Wga 79-74–153
Beverly Hoffenberg, Columbine CC Lga 79-75–154
Carla Stearns, Wellshire Women 76-79–155
Deb Hughes, Green Valley Ranch Wga 76-79–155
Louise Lyle, Patty Jewett Wgc 76-79–155
Betty Bullington, Eisenhower Wga 87-79–166
Patty Smogor, Saddle Rock Wga 91-78–169
Jane Ford, Hyland Hills Wga 88-84–172
Janet Moore, Cherry Hills CC Wga 79-WD–WD
 
First Flight
Pam Cortez, Coal Creek Wga 73-70–143
Karen Leuschel, Riverdale Wga 75-71–146
Janine Lowe, South Suburban Wga 72-75–147
Penny Mack, Patty Jewett Wgc 76-71–147
Wendy Atkinson, Ranch CC Lga 73-74–147
Carol Heupel, Colorado Springs CC Lga 80-68–148
Patricia Swanson, West Woods Wga 77-71–148
Maggie Brindley, Pinehurst CC Wga 79-71–150
Lisa Bolam, Highland Meadows GC 79-73–152
Nancy Werkmeister, Foothills Wga 72-80–152
Betsy White, Kissing Camels Lga 74-80–154
Karen Chase, Fox Hollow Lgc 88-71–159
Kay Geitner, Littleton Lgc 81-78–159
Peggy Puckett, Wellshire Wga 83-81–164
Dee Baker, Shining Mountain Wga 88-81–169
 
Second Flight
Carol Key, CC of Colorado Wga 69-74–143
Pat Dwyer, Patty Jewett GC 73-71–144
Becky O’Brien, Links Lga 75-71–146
Valerie Hunter, CC of Colorado Wga 73-73–146
Andrea Berry, Indian Peaks Wga 76-72–148
Karin Hathaway, Wellshire Women 77-72–149
Lea Croghan, Spring Valley Wga 77-74–151
Jennifer Tempas, Columbine CC Lga 78-76–154
Carlene Decker, Kissing Camels Lga 76-79–155
Claudia Gallegos, South Suburban Wga 81-77–158
Annette Sulzman, Aurora Hills Wga 78-82–160
Kim Kaiser, Foothills Wga 83-81–164
Donna Edelen, Riverdale Wga 78-87–165
Barbara Ingledue, Fox Hollow Lgc 83-83–166
Juliet Miner, Bear Dance Wga 84-86–170
Bobby Jackson, Willis Case Wga 83-WD–WD
 
Third Flight
Marie Schriefer, South Suburban Wga 68-75–143
Barbara DeGrand, Kissing Camels GC 79-65–144
Lyndon Lieb, Broken Tee Englewood Wga 73-73–146
Becky Finger, Riverdale Wga 76-73–149
Becky Hammer, Kissing Camels Lga 79-72–151
Judy Maillis, Broken Tee Englewood Wga 77-76–153
Sharon Thiel, Riverdale Wga 80-73–153
Marilyn Swedenburg, Eisenhower Wga 76-78–154
Jalinda Gieck, Patty Jewett Wgc 84-75–159
Beverly Byer, Wellshire Wga 85-76–161
Connie Norkoli, Heritage Eagle Bend Wga 88-75–163
Denise Thornton, Eisenhower Wga 81-82–163
Holly Schuetz, Meadow Hills Wga 87-77–164
Amy Hicks, Spring Valley Wga 83-82–165
Susan Elliott, Riverdale Wga 82-84–166
Sue Knutson, Coal Creek Wga DQ
 
Fourth Flight
Diane Dubose, Applewood Wga 72-71–143
Kathleen Comes, Patty Jewett GC 74-69–143
Harlene Bowman, South Suburban Wga 75-73–148
Connie Garcia, Fox Hollow Lgc 80-70–150
Bunny Ambrose, Riverdale Wga 76-77–153
Cindy Ortega, Foothills Wga 81-72–153
Ramona Conner, Murphy Creek Wga 81-73–154
Audrey McEwen, Coal Creek Wga 80-76–156
Deanna Messerli, Riverdale Wga 75-82–157
Cheri Wallace, Meadow Hills Wga 81-77–158
Sandra Schnitzer, Riverdale Wga 78-80–158
Barbara Fagan, Heritage Eagle Bend Wga 79-82–161
Virginia Newton, Aspen Wga 83-80–163
JoAnn Smith, Foothills Wga 78-86–164
Linda Schippers, Heritage Eagle Bend Wga 85-80–165
Carol Peterson, Twin Peaks 83-90–173

Next week, the historic course will be the site of another CWGA championship, the 34th Senior Stroke Play.

When the tournament is held Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 26-27), a first-time champion is guaranteed to be crowned. No former winners of the Senior Stroke Play championship flight are entered this year — a rarity in CWGA events.

But among the dozen championship flight players entered is Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore, a five-time winner of the CWGA Stroke Play who made it to the round of 64 earlier this week in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. Also in the field is Deb Hughes, the 2014 CWGA Senior Match Play champ. Hughes and fellow Senior Stroke Play competitor Bev Hoffenberg joined Moore in playing in the U.S. Senior Women’s Am.

Overall, 76 players are entered in the CWGA Senior Stroke Play, with competition set for five different flights.

For Monday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.

Sometimes it takes a rookie to topple an undefeated champion.

At least apparently it did on Tuesday at Red Rocks Country Club in Morrison.

Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton had won the CWGA Senior Stroke Play all four previous times she’d competed, with the last two victories coming by margins of 16 and 10 shots, respectively. She had claimed the CWGA Senior Player of the Year award for five straight years before opting to “retire” from CWGA championships in 2013. But the three-time U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur quarterfinalist decided to return to CWGA competition this week, making her a good bet to hoist the Senior Stroke Play trophy again.

But Jill Gaschler of Denver, a newly minted senior player at 50 years old, had another storyline in mind. The player from Willis Case Golf Course went head-to-head with Colorado Golf Hall of Famers such as Eaton, defending champion Christie Austin, Janet Moore and Lynn Zmistowski, and emerged victorious from the stellar field.

Gaschler (pictured above and at left), playing in the same group as Eaton, Austin and Deb Hughes on Tuesday, kept them all at bay in capturing the title in the 33rd Senior Stroke Play. The senior rookie shot a 6-over-par 78 in Tuesday’s final round at Red Rocks CC and prevailed by two shots with an 8-over 152 total for two days.

“She’s a great player,” Gaschler said of Eaton. “I have great respect for her. I enjoyed playing with her today, I really did. I’m sorry that she didn’t win, but I’m glad I did.”

Eaton, now a full-time resident of Arizona, carded her second consecutive 77 and was runner-up at 154. Austin was in contention for her third Senior Stroke Play title until a triple bogey derailed her on the 11th hole Tuesday. There, she hit a shot out of bounds and another into the water, but drained a 30-foot putt from behind the green, giving her a score of 7 with — technically — 0 putts. Austin (bottom photo), who shared the lead with Gaschler after round 1, placed third at 158 after an 84 on Tuesday. And Moore posted the best second-round score, a 75, to share fourth place with Zmistowski at 163.

Eaton (left) has won 14 or 15 individual state senior titles — in Colorado, Arizona and California combined, including stroke play and match play — since turning 50 in 2009. So prevailing against her is no easy feat.

But a combination of Eaton not being in peak form and Gaschler making few costly errors did the trick for the golfer from Willis Case. Gaschler never made anything worse than a bogey in the two rounds, while recording six birdies, including two on par-3s on Tuesday.

“You know, Jill played very steady today,” Eaton said. “She really didn’t make any big mistakes. She made a few bogeys.

“I was starting to catch up and I made a really stupid double bogey on 8. I was just very flat today. I just couldn’t get anything going. That putt (on No. 18, where she drained a 25-foot par) was probably the only putt I made (of significant length) the last two days. My putting was pathetic today and I didn’t hit my fairway woods very well. But Jill played very steady and she putted very well.”

And Gaschler was in control almost all the way during Tuesday’s final round. Indeed, after she made pars on the first two holes, her lead was never less than two shots the rest of the way.

Gaschler has won club championships at Willis Case and at Foothills, but Tuesday marked her first CWGA championship.

“It feels great,” she said. “It was my first time in this tournament and my first time winning anything CWGA-wise.”

In that sense, Gaschler’s mindset coming into the championship probably helped her cause.

“I really didn’t have much expectations,” she said. “I just wanted to play and have fun.I was trying to be relaxed and play golf. So that (victory) was a real surprise.”

Gaschler comes from a long line of strong women players from Willis Case, including Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Katie Fiorella and Zmistowski. In fact, when Gaschler started developing as a golfer after taking up the game in her 20s, she played a considerable amount with another Hall of Famer, Carol (Sorenson) Flenniken. Flenniken is one of the top female amateurs in state history, having won a dozen CWGA Match/Stroke Play championships after claiming titles in the 1960 U.S. Girls’ Junior and the 1964 British Ladies Amateur.

“I’m fortunate to play out of Willis Case,” Gaschler said. “There are a lot of good players there. We have a lot of strength. And I played a lot with Carol Flenniken when I started golfing, and that was real good for me too. That was a big part of it in me becoming better.”

For the scores from all eight flights of the Senior Stroke Play, CLICK HERE.

After Mary Doyen birdied her first hole in Tuesday’s final round of the CWGA Senior Stroke Play Championship, a thought occurred to her: “If I can do that every hole, maybe I’d have a chance” to win.

Yes, that’s how lopsided the tournament was at Greeley Country Club.

Doyen, the defending champion, only exaggerated slightly in inferring it would have taken near perfection for her — or just about anyone else in the field — to overtake Kim Eaton on the final day of the Senior Stroke Play.

Eaton, a Colorado Golf Hall of Famer who was competing on a course she estimates she’s played more than 1,000 times, took a six-stroke lead into Tuesday’s final round, and she was nine shots ahead of the third-place golfer.

And that was just the beginning. Eaton extended that lead considerably on Tuesday, to the point that her victory margin was one of the largest — if not the largest — in CWGA championship history.

The records are far from comprehensive, but it’s hard to imagine many wins bigger than 16 strokes. That’s how much separated Eaton from runner-up Doyen.

Eaton won her third Senior Stroke Play — she missed last year’s tournament — and her 19th CWGA championship overall, but this one was extra special, and it wasn’t because of the margin of victory.

“It’s not so much (claiming the title) the third time that I’m happy about; it’s winning on my home course that I grew up on,” said the 53-year-old former golf professional, a graduate of University High School in Greeley. “I’ve never been able to win a (state) tournament in Greeley until today.”

Eaton shot a 3-over-par 74 on Tuesday and finished at 5-over 147 for two rounds. Doyen, the player from Foothills Golf Course who won the senior division of the CWGA Match Play earlier this summer, closed with a 79 to earn second place at 163. Laurie Steenrod of Saddle Rock and Jessi McVay of CommonGround tied for third at 165.

Eaton was a member at Greeley Country Club — or the daughter of members — most of his life, though she now resides in Tempe, Ariz. So while most of the competitors struggled at the course, Eaton was right in her element. She even had some fans on hand, including her uncle, Larry Eaton, a fellow Colorado Golf Hall of Famer.

“It’s just nice winning in your hometown and having my aunt and uncle out watching me and telling me I played well,” said Kim Eaton, who was coming off a runner-up finish last weekend in the Senior Women’s North and South Championship in Pinehurst, N.C.

Eaton made two birdies in her final five holes Tuesday — including a chip-in on No. 17 (pictured at left) — to make her margin of victory all the more impressive.

“The golf course is set up for me; it’s long, and I hit it long,” she said.

Doyen said Eaton, a quarterfinalist two of the last three years in the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur, is tough to beat anywhere, much less on a course with which she’s so familiar.

“It’s a tough course,” Doyen said. “I understand a little bit better about why Kim Eaton is such a good player, having grown up here, because you get every shot here.”

Tuesday’s victory gives Eaton 10 individual CWGA championships: three Senior Stroke Plays, four Stroke Plays, one Match Play, one Senior Match Play and a Junior Match Play. She’s also captured nine team titles: six Brassies, a Chapman, a Mashie and a Mixed.

Meanwhile, while Doyen was no match for Eaton this week, she rightfully took stock in what she’s accomplished in the last year in the Colorado women’s senior ranks. Doyen held the Senior Match Play and Senior Stroke Play trophies at the same time, and she placed second on Tuesday.

CWGA Senior Stroke Play

At Par-71/72 Greeley CC

            Championship Flight

                Kim Eaton, Greeley, Colo. – 73-74–147
                Mary Doyen, Denver, Colo. – 84-79–163
                Laurie Steenrod, Aurora, Colo. – 83-82–165
                Jessi McVay, Denver, Colo. – 79-86–165
                Deb Hughes, Denver, Colo. – 82-86–168
                Pam Ryan, Longmont, Colo. – 85-83–168
                Sue Davis, La Quinta, Calif. – 87-82–169
                Sally Lawrence, Englewood, Colo. – 91-79–170
                Nancy Ziereis, Centennial, Colo. – 83-87–170
                Sandra Young, Monument, Colo. – 86-85–171
                Sheryl Larsen, Denver, Colo. – 89-87–176
            First Flight
                Charlotte Jorgensen, Windsor, Colo. – 80-77–157
                Ruth Van Zee, Denver, Colo. – 82-81–163
                Nina Dulacki, Denver, Colo. – 77-89–166
                Leanna Rosenow, Denver, Colo. – 87-83–170
                Liz Kennedy, Grand Junction, Colo. – 85-89–174
                Katty Rothberg, Denver, Colo. – 87-87–174
                Jill Kirkpatrick, Denver, Colo. – 88-86–174
                Cheryl Flygare, Boulder, Colo. – 87-88–175
                Linda Raunig, Denver, Colo. – 84-91–175
                Mary Deming, Denver, Colo. – 87-89–176
                Marianne Ceriani, Golden, Colo. – 86-90–176
                Jill Kirkham, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 89-89–178
                Pam Cortez, Louisville, Colo. – 88-90–178
                Jan Ugale, Greenwood Village, Colo. – 93-94–187
            Second Flight
                Mary Repetto, Denver, Colo. – 84-84–168
                Nancy Boodel, Parker, Colo. – 90-81–171
                Jeanette Ali, Castle Rock, Colo. – 87-89–176
                Lisa Bolam, Fort Collins, Colo. – 89-88–177
                Kimalee Hull, Denver, Colo. – 90-89–179
                Jan Carter, Lafayette, Colo. – 91-89–180
                Jenny Tempas, Littleton, Colo. – 93-88–181
                Bobby Jackson, Denver, Colo. – 94-88–182
                Dot Lindsey, Brighton, Colo. – 95-89–184
                Jan Milne, Fort Collins, Colo. – 92-92–184
                Marilyn Heustis, Denver, Colo. – 86-100–186
                Kathryn Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. – 95-92–187
                Patricia Swanson, Arvada, Colo. – 97-93–190
                Peggy Puckett, Denver, Colo. – 94-100–194
            Third Flight
                Donna Edelen, Thornton, Colo. – 94-83–177
                Kay Geitner, Centennial, Colo. – 94-84–178
                Sue Knutson, Superior, Colo. – 90-91–181
                Darlene Evans, Arvada, Colo. – 91-90–181
                Paulette Jerpe, Golden, Colo. – 92-90–182
                Juna Orr, Denver, Colo. – 91-91–182
                Karen Leuschel, Lafayette, Colo. – 90-94–184
                Vicki Porter, Denver, Colo. – 93-92–185
                Juliet Miner, Castle Rock, Colo. – 96-90–186
                Mary Smith, Arvada, Colo. – 98-89–187
                Barbara Whinery, Greeley, Colo. – 89-99–188
                Karen Chase, Littleton, Colo. – 96-92–188
                Lyndon Lieb, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 100-93–193
                Pat Kuntz, Tempe, Ariz. – 97-97–194
                Jane Anhold, Lakewood, Colo. – 102-93–195
                Katie Kinney, Eaton, Colo. – 94-102–196
                Joanne Braucht, Cotopaxi, Colo. – 112-95–207
            Fourth Flight
                Berta Thimmig, Brighton, Colo. – 87-87–174
                Nondis Lowther, Rifle, Colo. – 86-90–176
                Claudia Gallegos, Lone Tree, Colo. – 92-87–179
                Jenny Elliott, Arvada, Colo. – 95-85–180
                Patricia Tracy, Greeley, Colo. – 95-91–186
                Pat O’Connor, Fort Collins, Colo. – 95-91–186
                Judy Maillis, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 90-99–189
                Barbara Mcgrath, Denver, Colo. – 94-98–192
                Paula Maes, Castle Rock, Colo. – 96-97–193
                Paula Sinn-Penfold, Boulder, Colo. – 99-100–199
                Andrea Youngers, Windsor, Colo. – 102-98–200
                Nancy Wilson, Denver, Colo. – 93-WD–WD
            Fifth Flight
                Cindy Christiano, Franktown, Colo. – 88-96–184
                Irene Stein, Fort Collins, Colo. – 94-97–191
                Marsha Swoboda, Boulder, Colo. – 100-94–194
                Carolyn Lawson, Arvada, Colo. – 100-94–194
                Laura Laux, Golden, Colo. – 97-98–195
                Sandra Schnitzer, Erie, Colo. – 99-97–196
                Barbara Bender, Broomfield, Colo. – 94-103–197
                Sharon Thiel, Thornton, Colo. – 100-99–199
                Bunny Ambrose, Aurora, Colo. – 101-102–203
                Joan Schempp, Boulder, Colo. – 104-100–204
                Vickie Sugar, Lakewood, Colo. – 108-102–210
                Reed Wolff, Denver, Colo. – 113-102–215
            Sixth Flight
                Susan Schroeder, Castle Rock, Colo. – 97-99–196
                Becky Finger, Thornton, Colo. – 101-96–197
                Pam Penfold, Boulder, Colo. – 101-101–202
                Mary Davidson, Longmont, Colo. – 99-104–203
                Barbara White, Thornton, Colo. – 107-96–203
                Laurie Schlager, Centennial, Colo. – 103-103–206
                Sherry Lewis, Avon, Colo. – 100-108–208
                Kathy Flynn, Longmont, Colo. – 107-103–210
                Cogie Elzea, Thornton, Colo. – 105-108–213
                Sammy Scoma, Westminster, Colo. – 106-109–215
                Dianna Pfeifer, Fort Morgan, Colo. – 107-109–216
                Wilhelmina Colvill, Evergreen, Colo. – 108-NS–NS
            Seventh Flight
                Lucille Carroll, Lafayette, Colo. – 104-98–202
                Cindy Gilbert, Vail, Colo. – 108-99–207
                Connie Comer, Loveland, Colo. – 105-104–209
                Nancy Peters, Westminster, Colo. – 100-109–209
                Mary Lou Ray, Aurora, Colo. – 105-108–213
                Cookie Henry, Arvada, Colo. – 108-106–214
                Julie Berge, Aurora, Colo. – 112-103–215
                Phyllis Finlay, Vail, Colo. – 111-111–222
                Kathy Mansueto, Denver, Colo. – 115-112–227
                Karen Leake, Avon, Colo. – 115-121–236