2012 Women’s Match Play Championship

Laura Coble Wins 2012 Georgia Women's Match Play Championship 
Claims nine titles in 15 years event has been played

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Laura Coble of Augusta won the 15th annual Georgia Women’s Match Play Championship with a victory over Nikki Crowley of Phenix City, Ala., 2 and 1, at Sunset Hills Country Club on Friday.  This marks the ninth time Coble has won this event in its 15-year history.

The final contest of the Georgia Women’s Match Play Championship was a ‘tale of two nines’ as Crowley took a 1 up lead after the first hole.  Playing with the lead through the first four holes, Coble wins No. 5 to bring the match to all square.  Crowley briefly regained a 1 up advantage over holes seven and eight, but dropped No. 9 to make the turn at all square.

The back nine went more in Coble’s favor, as she quickly took a 1 up lead through 10 holes played.  Coble would hold steady through holes 11, 12 and 13, before dropping No. 14 to Crowley and moving the match back to all square.  Coble won No. 15 to regain the lead for good as she went on to win, 2 and 1, for the ninth time at Sunset Hills Country Club.

“This is humbling,” said Coble.  “I am very fortunate and lucky to win that many times, especially putting the way I did this week.  I’m very lucky; I had some good shots, so that helped.  I love coming here.  I have a lot of good memories from this place.”

To start the week at Sunset Hills Country Club, Coble tied for ninth at 3-over-par 75 in the 18-hole stroke play qualifying round, which gave her the 10-seed for match play.  Her first win in the round of 32 was over Colleen Panosian of Smyrna, 5 and 3.  In the round of 16, Coble outlasted Abby Johnson of Braselton, 2 and 1.  The quarterfinals put Coble up against Jackie Rajek of Suwanee, but Coble once again prevailed, winning 3 and 1.  Next up in the semifinals was a rematch of the 2010 Georgia Women’s Match Play finals with Amira Alexander of Alpharetta, and the outcome was also the same going to Coble, 4 and 3.

Crowley, who hails from Phenix City, Ala., is a member of Bull Creek Golf Course in Midland, Ga., and played her collegiate golf at Columbus State University.  Her road to the finals came via wins over Susan Rheney of Greensboro, 5 and 3, in the round of 32; Annie Swords of Newnan, 1 up, in the round of 16; and Annie Buchanan of Athens, 19 holes, in the quarterfinals.  To earn a spot in the final match, Crowley defeated five-time reigning GSGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year Brenda Pictor of Marietta, 2 and 1, in the semifinals.

In the Tournament flight, Clarice Cannon of Marietta earned flight honors by defeating Ellen Connors of Sharpsburg, 1 up.  Receiving a bye in the round of 16, Cannon won her quarterfinal match by her opponent, Wally Fairvalley of Atlanta, withdrawing.  In the semifinals, Cannon defeated her sister, Holly Cannon of Marietta, 1 up, for a trip to the finals.

This was the 15th playing of the Georgia Women’s Match Play Championship, which has been held at Sunset Hills Country Club each year.  Entries were open to female amateur golfers who were members of a GSGA member club.