Hawaii’s Patricia Ehrhart won her quarterfinal match 4 and 2, but fell in the semifinal by the same score Wednesday at the 58th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
Ehrhart, a 53-year-old former LPGA player who regained her amateur status in 2014, also reached the semifinals in 2016 and 2017. She fell in the quarterfinals last year.
She beat California’s Tina Barker Wednesday morning at Cedar Rapids Country Club in Iowa, winning the first two holes, then taking four of the last five after Barker tied it.
In the afternoon, defending champion Laura Tennant, of Portland, Ore., won the second and third holes with birdie and Ehrhart couldn’t catch up.
Tennant and Australia’s Sue Wooster will meet in the final for the second straight year today.
Watabu holds on to capture Kauai Amateur crown
Kapaa’s Casey Watabu, who beat Anthony Kim to win the 81st U.S. Public Links Championship, added another title last weekend.
Watabu captured the third annual Hawaii State Golf Association Kauai Amateur Sunday at Wailua Golf Course. He opened with a 2-under-par 70 Friday and fired 74 the final two days to finish at 218. That was six shots better than Keegan Loo and Jaime Matsumura. Isaac Jaffurs, who had a 69 Saturday, tied for third with Kolbe Irei at 226.
Jim Williams took the Senior Flight at 74—151, winning a scorecard playoff with Pat Viernes (75—151). Jaben Schalk (82—244) won the A flight and Antolin Apalla claimed the 36-hole low net championship at 75—150.
Hearn takes Aloha Section PGA Senior Championship title
Oahu Country Club’s John Hearn rode an opening round 73 to victory Monday in the Aloha Section PGA’s Senior Championship at Kapalua Bay.
Hearn’s 36-hole total was 152, a shot better than Hilo Muni’s Kevin Hayashi and Nanea’s Kris Kitt. All three qualify to represent the ASPGA at the national championship.
Eddie Lee, Brendan Moynahan and Juan Rodriguez are alternates.
Kohanaiki’s Hunter Larson will represent the Aloha Section at the 42nd National Car Rental PGA Assistant Championship after winning the local qualifier Sunday at Hoakalei Country Club.
He beat Hawaii Kai’s Corey Kozuma in a playoff. Larson, who earned $1,700, shot rounds of 75-71. Kozuma shot 73-73.
The national championship, which has a $100,000 purse, is Nov. 15-18, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Travel stipend available through women’s golf foundation
Female golfers from Hawaii who qualified and traveled to USGA events this year are eligible to apply for a travel stipend from the Hawaii State Women’s Golf Foundation.
Deadline to apply is Sept. 30. Visit hswga.net for more information.
