Robertson Comes Back to Win Senior Amateur, Barnes Cruises to Mid-Amateur Title
Final Round Conducted Sunday at Platteview Golf Club
BELLEVUE (September 24, 2023) - Anne Robertson of Columbus came back to win the 45th Nebraska Women's Senior Amateur Championship in a playoff, and Bellevue's Kayla Barnes cruised to win the 3rd Nebraska Women's Mid-Amateur Championship, during the final round on Sunday.
Robertson, who coaches the Columbus High School golf teams, shot the round of the day on the Senior Amateur side. She fired an 81 (+9) to come from four strokes back to tie the first round leaders, Susan Marchese and Jane Pohlman of Omaha. Marchese and Pohlman, who own a combined 13 titles, both shot rounds of 85 (+13) to fall into the playoff at 167 (+23).
In the playoff, Robertson hit a drive into the left rough and after searching for a couple minutes, finally found her ball under a leaf. She didn't let it affect her though, as the ensuing approach shot settled about six feet from the hole. After Marchese and Pohlman both missed their birdie attempts, Robertson calmly rolled in hers for the win, and her first state title.
Barnes, who is nearly seven months pregnant, had absolutely no drama during her final round, shooting a 72 (E) to tie the championship scoring record, and win by 10 strokes with a 146 (+2) total, also a championship record.
The former Husker and two-time Nebraska Women's Amateur Champion, Barnes, started with a four-stroke lead, and quickly pushed it to six with birdies on the first two holes. She added her third and fourth birdies of the day on Nos. 6 and 8, and her lead had reached seven strokes.
It was smooth sailing from there for Barnes, who made another birdie on No. 12 to get to 3-under on the round, and 1-under for the championship, with an 11-stroke lead. Even three-straight bogeys on Nos. 13-15 didn't stop her, as she rallied with three pars to finish and keep her winning margin in double-digits.
Omaha's Ashlyn Eden finished runner-up after a second-straight round of 78 (+6) for a 156 (+12) total. Eden was 12 strokes clear of the next players.
Grand Island's Emily Schimbeno and Omaha's Lindsay Eggers both shot rounds of 86 (+14) to tie for third at 168 (+24). Omaha's Amy Benge and Megan Place McAfee tied for fifth at 171 (+27).
Back on the Senior Amateur side, Lincoln's Jill Pilkington finished fourth with another round of 85 (+13) for a 170 (+26) total. Elkhorn's Miae Hatfield shot one of the best rounds of the day, an 83 (+11), to take fifth at 172 (+28).
Full results are available on the championship websites below, along with additional information.
Nebraska Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
Nebraska Women's Senior Amateur Championship
About NebGolf
The Nebraska Golf Association (NebGolf), founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by NebGolf. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
