2014 Women’s Match Play Championship

Janet Mao, Johns Creek

 

GSGA Player of the Year standings

 

Janet Mao Wins Georgia Women's Match Play Title

 

NEWNAN, Ga. - Janet Mao of Johns Creek defeated Mercedes Huarte of Suwanee, 1 up, to win the Georgia Women's Match Play Championship. The 17th annual competition took place at Canongate-on-White Oak, May 29-31.

 

To start the final match, Mao took a 1 up lead after two holes. Winning holes five and six, Huarte then grabbed a 1 up advantage through six holes played. Mao made her putt for par on the eighth, making the turn at all square. Hole 12, 13 and 14 would go back-and-forth, as the lead went from Mao's favor, to all square, back to Mao's favor. The two finalists both were even over the final four holes, so Mao secured the championship, 1 up.

 

Mao made her way through the bracket with wins over Tiffany Kang of Cumming in the round of 16 (3 and 2), Hannah Mae Deems of Taylorsville in the quarterfinals (6 and 5) and Amira Alexander of Alpharetta in the semifinals (19 holes.)

 

Huarte made it to the final match with wins over Melissa Siviter of Alpharetta in the round of 16 (1 up), Megan Carter of Blackshear in the quarterfinals (2 and 1) and Danielle Davis of St. Simons Island in the semifinals (1 up).

 

Mao and Huarte both play out of St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek.

 

In the final match of the Tournament flight, Meredith Owen of Madison defeated Mariko Sato of Alpharetta, 5 and 4, to claim flight honors. In the flight's quarterfinal round, Owen beat Gracie Henderson of Norcross, 3 and 2. In the longest match of the championship, Owen needed 22 holes to top Colleen Panosian of Smyrna, which secured her a spot in the final.

 

Entries were open to female amateur golfers who are members of a GSGA member club and residents of Georgia. The low 16 players from the 18-hole stroke play qualifying round comprised the Championship flight and the remaining players made up the Tournament flight.

 

Canongate-on-White Oak played to 5,939 yards and a par 72 for the Georgia Women's Match Play Championship.