Arizona Women's Golf Association

JOYCE BUSS IS MEDALIST
AT USGA SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR QUALIFIER

CHRIS GIZA AND MARY FINK TIE FOR SECOND

With a score of 76, Joyce Buss, a member of Desert Mountain WGA, took the top honor as Medalist at Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale on September 6th in the US Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier. Chris Giza and Mary Fink tied for second with a score of 78, and Judy Miller from Tucson came in 4th with a score of 79. The remaining eight qualifiers include, Janet Weber with a score of 81, Etsu Suzuki with a score of 82, Maggie Gray, Barb Byrnes, Marlu Allen, Sue Erredge and Paula Page all with a score of 83, and Ginny Zak with a score of 85. The two alternates are Kay Daley with a score of 85 and April Riggins with a score of 86. Of the 55 women playing in the qualifying round, these 12 women qualified and will be going to Sea Island Golf Course in Sea Island, Georgia from October 7-12th to play in the US Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

Along with our winners, special recognition goes to Kathy Ehrlich, AWGA Board Member and caddie for Chris Giza. In Chris’ own words, “I cannot begin to tell you what a great caddie Kathy was today. Her ability to read greens is incredible and she said and did all the right things to keep me relaxed and having fun!” Barb Byrnes, who also qualified, said, “For those of you not on the course, there were miles between some greens and tees. I don’t think I could have done it. Kathy was awesome!” According to observers, Kathy walked or ran the whole 18 holes at Silverleaf, experiencing her home course from the perspective of the young men and women who provide this service on a daily basis for the members and guests at Silverleaf.

Eighteen-hole qualifiers were held nationwide from September 4-11, with spots awarded at each site to fill the championship field of 132 players. The championship format will be two rounds of stroke play with the low 64 scorers advancing to single-elimination match play.

The US Senior Women’s Amateur Championship is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Congratulations to Joyce, Chris, Mary, Judy Janet, Etu, Maggie, Barb, Marlu, Sue, Paula and Ginny who will be playing in the Championship next month. And Kudos to Kathy for being “caddie extraordinaire!”