San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) - Stroke-play medalist Dawn Woodard and
defending-champion Ellen Port were among the first round winners Monday at the
U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship.
Woodard lost an early 2-up lead to Heidi Ushijima, who won four straight holes
to go from 2-down to 2-up after seven holes. Woodard claimed the eighth and
ninth to square the match at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.
The duo traded wins at 11 and 12. Woodard took the lead for good at 14 and
went 2-up with a par at 16. The duo halved No. 17 to give Woodard the 2 & 1
win.
Port, a 4-time winner at this championship, lost just one hole en route to
rolling to a 5 & 4 win over Sydney Wells.
Four other former winners -- Robin W. Donnelly, Amber Marsh Elliott, Meghan
Stasi and Corey Weworski -- all advanced. Of that group, Elliott's 3 & 2 win
over Kay Daniel was the closest match.
Joan Higgins, the 2008 champ, and 2009 winner Martha Leach were among the
first-round losers. Former Senior Women's Amateur champions Carolyn Creekmore
and Diane Lang also fell on Monday.
The championship continues on Tuesday with the second and third round. The
quarterfinals and semifinals will be on Wednesday before Thursday's 18-hole
final.
The Sports Network