Kami Whitehead has faced pressure on the golf course many times during the past year, and Thursday, that experience paid off. Whitehead responded with a birdie on the 18th hole to capture a one-stroke victory in the City Parks Women's Amateur at Mountain Dell.
The former Bingham High standout who just completed her freshman year at Weber State has battled since last fall, when she had to sit out three Weber matches while gaining eligibility only to win MVP honors fo the Lady Wildcats. Thursday, she came to the 18th tee knowing she needed to birdie the long par-5 to win."I had the advantage of learning while we were backed up at the tee that Aimee (Aardema) and Momoe (Kunimoto) were tied with me, so I knew what I had to do," she said.
Whitehead reached the fringe in two, then successfully got up-and-down in two for an 8-over par 80, giving her a two round score of 152, one shot better than Aardema and Kunimoto.
Thus, Whitehead earned her first title in a women's competition to go along with many junior and collegiate titles.
"I think facing the pressure we do in college helped me today," she said. "You always want to be able to respond by making a birdie when a title's on the line." Because she is an amateur, Whitehead could not accept the first-place prize of $125.00 for low gross.
Aardema had the day's best round on the challenging Canyon course, shooting 76 to go with a 77 on Wednesday. Kunimoto followed her 76 with a second round 77, while first day leader Patty Brimley shot an 85 to finish four shots back at 156. Low net in the championship flight went to Merlene Nixon with a 138.
Other winners included:
Bonneville Flight - Jessica Gardner 157 (gross) and Betty Vickers 139 (net).
Glendale - Sandy Simpson 172 (gross) and Jeanne DeSchepper 136 (net).
Wingpointe - Linda Russell 176 (gross) and Bonnie Beteridge/Becky McKay 142 (net).
Rose Park - Lynne Nance 190 (gross) and Doris Pike 133 (net) Forest Dale - Ladonna Whitlock 200 (gross) and Joan Bosen 142 (net).
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
City Parks scores
Championship flight results
Kami Whitehead 72-80-152
Aimee Aardema 77-76-153
Momoe Kunimoto 76-77-153
Patty Brimley 71-85-156
Joyce Billings 76-81-157
Ryoko Sone 80-78-158
Merlene Nixon 79-83-162
Andrey Gove 72-91-163