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Co-Champions Crowned at Women’s Four-Ball Championship
In the fourth playing of the Utah Women’s Four-Ball Championship at Toana Vista Golf Club, former two-time champions Lila Galea’i and Kareen Larson had their sights set on a third title since 2021.
While they accomplished that goal finishing the 36-hole best ball competition at (-7) 137 they will share the title with first time champs Nuny Khamken and Jane Olson who also finished at 137.
2024 Utah Women’s Four-Ball Champions (L-R) Lila Galea’i, Kareen Larson, Nuny Khamken and Jane Olson. The sides tied after 36-holes at Toana Vista GC at (-7) 136. (Photo: Fairways Media/Randy Dodson)
Coming into the 16th hole tied at 7-under at the West Wendover NV couse, the Khamken/Olson side had two chances on the remaining holes to win the UGA championship with birdie putts. Both players, Khamken on 17 and Olson on 18, lipped out those game winning attempts.
Larson/Galea’i nearly won in miraculous style at the last when Larson’s birdie attempt from beyond 35-feet stopped short of the winning drop. Larson squatted as the ball neared the hole and then fell backward flat on the ground exclaiming, “what do I have to do” when her ball failed to drop.
After accepting their shared awards, Larson said, “I think we all were ready to play hole 18 again, to have a playoff. We were ready to go again.” But the Larson/Galea’i “dynasty” in the Women’s Four-Ball Championship will have to be shared with Khamken/Olson this year.
While the teams of Rina Slade/Julie McMullin (2012, 2013) and Anna Kennedy/Naomi Soifua (2018, 2019) claimed two titles each, Larson/Galea’i are the first team to capture three wins in the 12-year old annual championship.
Junior golfers Isabel Wade and Kindra Hirasuna carded rounds of 71-66 – 149 to finish third in Flight 1 while defending champions Annette Gaiotti and Lindsay Cone finished 4th at (+7) 151.