Sunny skies and warm temperatures were present all weekend in Naples as Quail Creek Country Club hosted the third Women’s Net Stroke Play Championship, September 10-11.
No stranger to the Florida State Golf Association, Kimberly Byle, of Dunedin, stood in first place by three strokes after round one, firing a net 68. Following close behind her was Beatriz Niemeyer with a one-under par 71 along with Peggy Butts and Tinker Sanger who both carded even pars.
The Forward Division saw five numbers in the red with a tight leader board heading into the final round. Janet Strong, of Saint Petersburg, led the division with a tournament low of 67, followed by Susan Lee's 69 and three players tied for third at 70, including Terry Tipton, Kathleen Aldrige-Cooper and Sharon Sheline.
Quail Creek’s Creek Course proved difficult during Sunday’s final round, owning up to its name as difficult water hazards tested all players in the field. In the end, Byle (pictured left) was able to stay steady and continue her lead to finish first in the Middle Division with a two round total of 68-75-143. In similar fashion, Niemeyer, of Bradenton, also played steady to secure second place with a tournament total of 147, while Tinker Sanger, of North Palm Beach, captured solo third.
Just like Byle, Janet Strong (pictured right) did not give up her lead, capturing first place in the Forward Division by three strokes, posting a final total of 67-74-141. Strong’s three under-par total marked the tournament’s low finish. Quail Creek member, Terry Tipton, was one of four who tied for second place in the Forward Division. Along with Tipton, Kathleen Aldridge-Cooper, Sharon Sheline and Susan Lee all finished tied for second with even par 144.
Quail Creek Country Club will play host to the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship next September.
