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Recap by: Jerry Stewart, NCGA
IIt became inevitable that it would be a UCLA alum who would win. This time, it was Eunice Cho.
Cho sank a 3-foot par putt on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff Wednesday to knock off Debbie Kim and win the 47th annual California Senior Women's Amateur Championship at Green Valley CC in Fairfield.
Among the circumstances surrounding Cho and Kim: both turned 50 earlier this year. As juniors, the two once played against each other in a match at the California Junior Girls' State Championship. They also competed together on the UCLA women's golf team in the 1980s.
"I just can't believe that I won it," Cho said. "It hasn't hit me yet."
In what was a thriller, Cho, who lives in Manhattan Beach, looked to be a long shot in regulation after three straight bogeys from holes Nos. 10 through 12. placed her behind Debbie Kim and Kelly Wilson. Wilson, winner of the inaugural NCGA Women's Mid-Am, appeared to be in control following a brilliant up and down for par on the par-5 15th.
But then things got crazy.
Kim, playing in the group ahead of Cho and Wilson, birdied the 16th hole to become the solo leader at a total of 6-over. Behind her, on both the 16th and 17th holes, Wilson carded a bogey. As for Cho, a birdie of her own on the 16th got her to a total of 7-over.
On the 18th hole, Kim could have won it with a birdie. Instead, she three-putted for a bogey to finish at 7-over. With the bogey, Wilson had a shot to get to 7-over with a birdie, but she could only make par for a final round 75. Cho would make par, tying Kim for the lead.
On the first playoff hole, the par-5 1st, Kim looked to be in deep trouble after getting stuck in the bunker just off the green. She'd miraculously sink a 30-foot par putt to force another extra hole.
After two more tied holes, the drama ended on the par-4 4th when Kim three-putted and Cho made par.
Super Senior
Following each hole of the playoff was a group of former CWAC Senior champions Kathy Kurata, Lynne Cowan and 2024 champion Lara Tennant.
Kurata, who won the 2021 championship at San Jose CC, cruised to a win in the Super Senior division (ages 65-plus), finishing with a three-day total of 13-over 229. Tina Barker, a member at Green Valley and an NCGA Hall of Famer, was second at 239.
