NYSGA Women’s & Women’s Senior Championship
on Holiday Valley’s
Double Black Diamond Golf Course

By John Cronly, NYSGA (08/22/2008)

Holiday Valley G.C.- Kim Kaul sank a clutch 3-foot putt to win the NYSGA Women’s Senior Championship in her first attempt today. Kaul, who only turned 50 earlier this year, fired a two-over-par 72 for a total of 144, edging Deerfield C.C.’s Maggie Kril by one shot.

Due to slow play yesterday, the 11th hole had to be reduced to a par-3 for today’s play making the course a par 70.

At one point it looked as though it was going to be a battle between Kaul and playing partner Susan Kahler. Kahler turned in 1-under-par 34 on the front nine to Kaul’s 38, putting Kahler one ahead for the championship overall.

Kaul had faltered after double-bogeying the par-3 fifth, before coming back strongly with a birdie on 10 to draw level with Kahler. Kaul continued to play strongly with pars all the way in, including two crucial up and downs on 16 and 17.

Kahler, however, saw her hopes of winning dashed when she bogeyed 16 and 17, the latter after hitting into a hazard with her second shot. Kaul stood on the 18th tee three clear of Kahler but unaware of the exploits of Kril earlier in the day.

Kril posted 145 after a scintillating 68 in the second round, which she said was the lowest score of her life.

Kril had three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine for 34, before coming back with eight pars and a lone birdie on 17 to hold the clubhouse lead with the first-round leaders yet to finish.

“I was nervous coming into the last few holes because I had never broken 70 before,” Kril said. “It was great to come through and trust my swing at the end when it mattered.”

After splitting the fairway with her tee-shot, Kaul pitched her second to within six feet of the hole on 18, leaving a downhill right-to-left putt for a 71 and the title.

“I could sense something from the people around the 18th green that it was close,” Kaul said. “No one said anything to me so I thought I might need to go for my birdie putt.”

Her putt looked good for a moment before lipping-out violently on the high side and finishing 3 feet below the hole. She was then able to collect herself and bravely hole the par putt too secure victory.

“I think it was good that I didn’t know the 3-footer on the last was to win, it might have felt more like 10 feet if I had,” Kaul said.

“Maggie had a great round today and she is an awesome player, so I knew she was going to finish well,” Kaul said. “I heard some rumblings at the turn that she was playing well so even though I had a three-shot lead on Susan on 18 I didn’t think it was over.”

“I can only take positive things from this,” Kril said. “Kim played some great golf and I shared a room with her this week so I’m happy for her.”

Kril recently won the Rochester Women’s District title for the first time and said that gave her some confidence coming into this week.

Kaul missed the state Women’s Amateur earlier in the year as she was celebrating her 50th birthday with her sister playing golf at Pebble Beach. Kaul’s sister followed Kim the entire round today for moral support.

“It’s a great feeling to be state senior champion,” Kaul said “I’m glad my sister could be here to see me do it today. That was pretty special.”

In the Super-Senior division defending champion Gail Brophy of Saratoga National G.C. backed up her opening 78 with a round of 76, to win by four shots from Lula Garland of Drumlins G.C.

Brophy once again played well on the front nine, posting an even-par 35 before dropping six shots on the last seven holes to finish on 154 for the championship. She finished tied for fifth in the overall standings.

“Not bad considering two of the girls that beat me have just turned 50,” Brophy said. “I hit the ball well again today and was happy with how I played.”

Garland started the day three behind Brophy, but closed to within one shot after the 13th. Brophy then pulled away once again after Garland double-bogeyed 14 and bogeyed 15.

“She really closed the gap on me there on 13,” Brophy said. “I managed to come through in the end though so I was pleased.”

After turning in even par, Brophy still had her sights set on winning the overall championship, but the last seven holes prevented her from doing that.

“I was thinking about the main championship right up until the end but I didn’t want to lose focus on the super-senior either,” Brophy said. “This week has been a lot of fun though. Holiday Valley is a great place and I have renewed friendships with people who I haven’t seen in 40 years.”

Brophy was a two-time Women’s Amateur champion in the early 1960s before giving up the game completely until two years ago. She said she was been enjoying her rekindled interest in the game ever since.