Taulbee is Top Seed at Nebraska Women's Match Play
Stroke Play Qualifying Conducted Tuesday at Landmand Golf Club
HOMER (July 23, 2024) - Papillion's Kelli Taulbee finished with a flurry to secure the No. 1 seed and earn medalist honors after Stroke Play Qualifying for the 101st Nebraska Women’s Match Play Championship at Landmand Golf Club in Homer on Tuesday.
Taulbee was one of two players to break par on the day, shooting a round of 70 (-3) to take the top seed by a stroke. A newcomer to Nebraska, Taulbee played golf at the University of South Florida, graduating in 2012. She was a top mid-amateur player in Florida, until recently moving to the state.
It was a strong start for Taulbee, as she made some early birdies and made the turn in 34 (-2). The par-3 12th claimed one of many victims on the day though, as she made triple-bogey to move out of red numbers. Taulbee finished on fire though, making birdies on the par-3 14th and the par-4 16th. She then drove the green on the 265-yard par-4 17th and rolled in the putt for eagle to get to 3-under.
The 2020 Champion Katie Ruge of Omaha is the No. 2 seed, as she was the only other player to break par, firing a 71 (-2). The reigning Nebraska Women's Amateur Champion birdied the first, and also had to bounce back from a big number, making double-bogey on No. 3. Ruge played the rest of the way bogey free, and 3-under over the last 15 holes.
A playoff for the final two spots was needed, after three players tied at 87 (+14), including Elly Speece of La Vista, Kaitlyn Dumler of Lincoln and Molly Goc of Columbus. Speece made par on the first playoff hole, No. 17, to take the No. 31 seed and will play Ruge in the Round of 32.
Dumler two-putted for birdie on the next hole, No. 18, to secure the No. 32 seed. She will face Taulbee in the first round at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Round of 32 begins at 7:30 a.m., with the Round of 16 scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. The bracket is available on the championship website below, along with the scoring page and additional information.
Nebraska Women's Match Play 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.
