News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Sirene Blair Cards Final-Round 66 (-6) to Capture Mary Lou Baker Open Victory
By Megan Terry, Programs Administrator
The 2017 Mary Lou Baker Open, a 36-hole UGA Women’s Championship that was started in 2010, included 38 of Utah golf’s most talented and competitive female golfers. Crater Springs Golf Course at The Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah, hosted the two-day event June 22-23.
After the first round, Brigham Young University’s Rose Huang and San Diego State Women’s Golf Alumna Sirene Blair led the pack at one-under 71. Huang carded 35 (-2) on the front nine with three birdies and a bogey on the par-4 No. 6. On the back, Rose shot one-over 36 to top the leaderboard heading in to Friday’s final round.
Other than one bogey on No. 9, Blair was incredibly consistent, especially during her back nine. Sirene carded one-under 36 with birdies on Nos. 1 and 7 and made nine pars in a row coming in to tie Huang after Round 1.
Former BYU athlete Kendra Dalton and Utah Valley University’s Carly Dehlin each posted rounds of even-par 72 during the first round, and three-time consecutive Mary Lou Baker Open Champion Kelsey Chugg finished Round 1 at 75 (+3).
With two tied at the top and two one stroke behind, the Final Round was anyone’s game. Still, only one would be crowned champion.
With a bogey-free round of 66, 34 (-3) on the front nine and 32 (-3) on the back, Sirene Blair pulled ahead of Rose Huang to earn the win by three strokes, 71-66—137. Blair was so “in the zone” from start to finish, she had no idea that 66 was her outcome while in the scoring tent.
“My best shot of the day was definitely on 17,” explained Blair. “I almost holed out from 85 yards for eagle.”
She settled for birdie and ended up with the victory in return.
Blair has been on a winning streak the entire month of June. She won her first two events as an amateur on The Cactus Tour at The Legacy Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, the first by three strokes with a three-day total of seven-under 209 and the second by a whopping nine strokes at nine-under 207.
“My game felt great on Friday,” Sirene stated. “I was putting really well. I enjoyed playing with fellow Division I athletes, especially Rose. She played very well.”
Sirene plans to pursue her dream of playing on the LPGA Tour this year. She also has additional Cactus Tour events lined up this summer to prepare her for Q-School in August.
Sue Nyhus earned Low Senior after posting rounds of 80-77—157 (+13).
CLICK HERE to view complete results.