Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications
JEROME, Idaho—It’s safe to say that no script was followed at this week’s Senior Amateur Championship. Two first-time winners hoisted their respective trophies, while the third held it like it was their first. For a field featuring the top senior players in the state, both men and women, age seemed to be less of a factor than one would have imagined. And for being one of the more recognized courses on the “rota” for the Idaho Golf Association, Jerome Country Club proved it was once again worthy to host such a tournament by keeping players at even par or higher at about 97 percent of the time—only yielding five sub-par rounds to the field for the week.
Karen Darrington claimed the title of victor for the Senior Women’s division—going 76-69-73 for a final score of 218 (+2).
Senior Women’s Division
Humbled would be the word to describe Darrington’s mood following what is now her EIGHTH Senior Women’s Amateur victory. In an event where even the trophy is named after her, Darrington proved yet again that her name will go down in Idaho golfing history as being one of the best players, of either sex, to compete in an IGA event.
Darrington stated: “It’s humbling. I really appreciate the IGA for naming it after me. That mean’s a lot. Some day I am not going to be here, and who knows what my legacy will be if I have a legacy…I just hope I can keep going.”
As day one finished, Darrington found herself trailing her Four-Ball partner, Kris Fenwick, by a stroke. In what may be considered an uncharacteristic round of golf for her, Darrington struggled to get anything going on that opening day. Despite only having one birdie to offset her five bogeys, the newly-crowned champion held tight and waited for another day to bounce back.
Round two was a day-to-night difference in terms of scoring for Darrington. Having made three bogeys, her ability to roll in four birdies and hole out for eagle on the ninth really separated her from her competition. While the rest of the women’s field continued to struggle with the contours and shot-shaping required at JCC, Darrington relied on experience, the confidence in her swing, and the trust she had in her caddie. Darrington left the course following her second round as the new leader in the clubhouse, and it was by a substantial margin: an eight-shot lead.
"This week, I really hit the ball probably as good as I have hit it all summer long,” Darrington said. “Hit my driver well and my irons. I really did miss a lot of putts, but I am not complaining. I had a really good week of hitting the ball.”
Though not quite as flashy as round two, Darrington continued to put her pedal to the metal as the gap between her and the remainder of the field grew larger and larger as the round progressed. Non-chalantaly, Darrington made the turn at one under par with a birdie on the first and eight straight pars to follow. Coming down the closing stretch, Darrington hit a couple of bumps as she made three bogeys in her first five holes on the back nine—having missed several four-footers, which would have stretched her already impressive margin of victory by more.
After sticking her tee shot on the par-3 15th to 12 feet, Darrington just missed her birdie putt and emphatically stated, “You got to be kidding me!”
As her round came to a close, the sizeable crowd that surrounded the 18th green cheered for Darrington and greeted her with hugs and congratulatory remarks—causing an even bigger smile to appear, and one might I add that may still be there.
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Senior Women’s Division Payout
-1st Place Gross $400 Karen Darrington
-1st Place Net $300 Melinda Howard