Sandra Fisher was crowned the Edmonton Golf Association senior ladies’ champion on her home course Tuesday.
The winner of an unprecedented 21 Sturgeon Valley ladies’ club titles carded scores of 77 and 73 during the two-day tournament.
“I’m over the moon,” said a delighted Fisher. “I’m really happy that I put two good games together and that’s a little tough to do. Usually one day you’re good and the next day you’re like 82 or something like that but to get a 73 in a tournament is low for me. I’ve never done that well.”
Fisher, 53, finished seven shots ahead of Linda Morris (77-80) of the Royal Mayfair Golf Club and was 10 up on Karen Morris (83-77) of Sturgeon Valley and Elaine Maloney of the Riverside Golf Club.
“I still played my own game while still knowing where they kind of were,” Fisher said. “At one point Linda and I were even and then Elaine was one behind us so it keeps you on your toes. Whether they bogey a hole and you par you know they can do better so you still have to keep that concentration.”
Fisher’s first EGA senior championship is the highlight of her decorated career.
“I’m pretty proud of myself,” she said. “It shows that I can actually keep two rounds together and I can concentrate. I had to not only play good but I had to do the same as they were doing.”
Fisher played it safe keeping the ball in play during the 36-hole competition.
“I didn’t get into trouble and concentrated on keeping things down the middle,” said the four-handicap who was listed as a five for the tournament. “Everybody says I hit a long ball so I guess it was probably my ball striking that really helped me out.
“With the other shots, even if I didn’t put them close to the pin, our greens are coming along and they’re getting faster and they were fast this week.”
Fisher rebounded from a couple of double bogeys Monday for a strong finish the next day.
“I had a double on the front and a double on the back, so that’s four strokes there. When I got my (first) double I four putted and the other double on the back nine I got into the trees,” she said. “The second day I just played one shot each time and basically said this is what I have to do. When I didn’t get on the green in regulation I would just chip and putt while taking deep breaths, slow and steady, so that everything falls the way its suppose to fall.”
Fisher celebrated another in a long line of championships at her second home, which is the former homestead of Angus Kennedy. At age 10, Fisher’s family moved from Edmonton to live above the Sturgeon Valley clubhouse, which later became a teahouse in Namao, and her dad, Ralph Strand, was the assistant pro at the course.
“It’s an even better feeling when it’s on your own course,” said Fisher, a fixture on the club’s EGA interclub ladies’ team.
On tap next for Fisher is defending her club championship during the August long weekend, followed by the senior provincial senior tournament, Aug. 11 to 13 at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary.
“I’ve never played there before. I heard it’s a nice course so I’m going to take advantage of it.”
TEE SHOTS: Kylie Barros of the Glendale Golf & Country Club captured her fifth consecutive EGA ladies’ amateur championship, held in conjunction with the senior and super (65-plus) senior events at Sturgeon Valley.
Barros, 23, shots rounds of 71 and 75 to defeat Sydney MacDonald (75-74) by three shots.
It’s the third year in a row MacDonald, 21, finished second behind Barros, who was coming off a victory at the Lethbridge Ladies Open last week.
Katie Bone (88-87) of Sturgeon Valley prevailed over Bonnie Schmidt (85-90) of the Belvedere Golf & Country Club and Joyce Carrington (88-87) of the Windermere Golf & Country Club in the super senior division.
Visit www.egagolf.org for the EGA amateur, senior and super senior results.
