Final round coverage written by George Geise for The Great Falls Tribune. (Published Thursday, August, 8, 2013).
GREAT FALLS, MT. Neither Amber Lundskog nor Dorsey Addicks blinked for about two hours Thursday afternoon, as the golfers matched pars and birdies for eight straight holes on the back nine at Meadow Lark Country Club.
But with the championship of the 96th annual Women’s State Amateur on the line on the final hole, the 18-year-old Addicks missed a critical 5-foot putt, handing the title to her more experienced rival.
Both Lundskog and Addicks fired 1-over-par 73s on a warm, windy afternoon. Both could easily have fired 68s, but very few putts dropped into the hole on the slick putting surfaces at MLCC.
“It was one of those days where I hit a lot of good golf shots but just burned the edges (of the cup),” said Lundskog, a former Vanderbilt University golfer who works as a teacher and youth minister at Heritage Christian School in Bozeman.
“I played 2 under par my last 12 holes after going bogey-double bogey on Nos. 5 and 6, and I feel good about that. There was a lot of pressure on both of us, and we both came through.”
Lundskog finished 54 holes at 219, 3 over par at the 5,500-yard course.
Addicks, who played her prep and junior golf in Atlanta and will compete this fall at Seattle University, finished at 220.
“I’m disappointed I didn’t win, and I’ll probably make that last putt 1,000 times, but I feel good about the way I played,” said Addicks. “I gave myself lots of birdie opportunities, but the putts just didn’t fall.”
The long-hitting Addicks could have iced the tourney earlier if she had putted better on the par-5 holes. She reached all four holes in two shots, but managed only one birdie and three pars. She finished her round with four 3-putt greens, including the 18th where she was too aggressive on her 16-foot birdie try, then missed coming back.
“Amber played great today and deserved to win,” said Dorsey. “I’ll have other chances.”
Day 1 Great Falls Gazette coverage. Click here.
Day 2 Great Falls Gazette coverage. Click here.
Lundskog said she felt good about her championship chances after receiving a text message from a close friend, Bozeman golf pro Kylee Naffziger. Both women work at Bridger Creek Golf Course.
“Kylee won this tournament right here at Meadow Lark in 1997,” said Lundskog. “She said I was going to do it, too.”
The former Kylee Moullet was the State Amateur champion the last time the event was played at MLCC, 16 years ago.
Lundskog once was a high school All-American in the San Diego area, but suffered through serious back problems for nearly five years. Her health – and her golf skills – have improved a lot since undergoing surgery.
Hailey Hoagland, a 17-year-old who will be a senior this year at Butte High, finished in third place at 224 after closing with a 74. Hoagland got herself back into contention with birdies on Nos. 4 and 8, but a bogey at the par-5 13th stopped her charge.
Meadow Lark member Cathie Williamson fired the low round of the day, a 72 despite bogeys on the final two holes. The 2003 State Amateur champion tied for fourth place at 227 with 18-year-old Maggie Crippen of Missoula, the 2011 State Amateur winner.
Katy Peterson of Glendive, who plays at Rocky Mountain College, was sixth at 228, followed by Jackie Mee of Libby and Kyla Clancy of Park City. Mee plays for Carroll College, while Clancy competes for the University of Montana team.
Twin sisters Katie and Cayley Fish of Great Falls finished 1-2 in their flight and were in the top 15 overall. Katie, who shot 69 Wednesday, finished with 78 for 231, while Cayley went 79-234.
Deb Erwin of Meadow Lark served as the local tournament chairperson, while Carla Berg of the MSWGA ran the event.
Day 1 Great Falls Gazette coverage. Click here.
Day 2 Great Falls Gazette coverage. Click here.