At the prestigious 2024 Silver Cup, the Women’s Southern Nevada Golf Association team used a strong second day by the squad in roaring to a 27-13 victory over the Women’s Northern Nevada Golf Association. It was the South’s second straight Silver Cup win and the first time since 2000 and 2001 they went back to back. –By Bill Bowman, LasVegasGolfInsider.com
The latest event was held Oct. 15-17, 2024, at Canyon Gate Country Club. The North team jumped out to a 6-4 edge after the first day’s foursome matches before the South came storming back, dominating the second day’s four-ball action with a 9-1 win. That gave the South a 13-7 lead heading into the final day’s singles play. The South kept up their impressive play in the singles, winning the session 14-6 to close out the victory.
Christine Soscia, co-captain of the South team along with Debbie Love, said the entire team stepped up.
“It was epic,” Soscia said. “They all brought their ‘A’ game on Wednesday and played well. It was just a great effort.”
Soscia said the back-to-back Silver Cup victories were on the team’s mind.
“This was the first time going back-to-back since 2000-2001 so it was special,” she said. “We wanted to keep the Cup in Las Vegas.”
Soscia said despite trailing 6-4 after the first day, there was plenty of confidence.
“I had said we were right where we wanted to be despite trailing,” she said. ‘Now, did I think we would go out and go 9-1 in points…absolutely not. But did I think the team would respond in a big way…absolutely.”
She added trailing in the event got everyone’s attention.
“Being behind lit a fire under these women,” Soscia said. “These women do not like to lose.”
In the end, Soscia said the overall experience couldn’t have gone much better.
“It’s always a challenge to get the lineups you hope will work out the best,” she said. “You have to be strategic with who partners with who…you have to know each other’s strengths…and you have to get along.”
It all wound up with the convincing victory.
“I can’t tell you what a great group of women this is,” Soscia said. “They just went out and did what needed to be done.”
North captain Jeanne Cassinelli said her squad came down to Vegas ready to play and the team’s first day effort had them optimistic.
“We were pretty jazzed,” she said. “The alternate shot format isn’t an easy format and we were very happy to come out with the lead.”
But then came the South’s onslaught.
“The second day, in the best-ball, we just couldn’t get it done,” Cassinelli said. “They played lights-out. Those ladies can putt. They knew the greens and they made a lot of long putts and we missed some short putts. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”
She said the loss wasn’t for lack of effort.
“Our ladies played very well and never gave up,” Cassinelli said. “But you’ve got to give the South ladies a lot of credit…they came to play.”
She added there are days–or events–where it’s just not your day.
“When you have a lady who is 60 feet out on the back of the green and then drains the putt to win a hole, it pretty much takes the wind out of your sails,” she said. “And we saw them make more than their share of putts.”
Check out the 2024 Silver Cup results
2024 Silver Cup—South Team
Co-captains: Christine Soscia, Debbie Love
Ronda Henderson, Ashley Vaughn, Sarah Scott, Monica Ledes, Christina Brandt, Brenda Knott, Brooke Hempel, Karen Huckabay, Regina Quintero, Leinani Yosaitis, Brittany Bronson, My Paulsen, Theresa Prospero, Anne Goodson, Autumn Dorini, Terri Cleary, Helen Welsh, Maureen Martin, Karen Bernaard, Gabriele Buonacorsi.
2024 Silver Cup—North Team
Co-captains: Jeanne Cassinelli, Lori Elliott
Ruth Maxwell, Dana Chaiken, Cindy Hall, Christy Atencio, Carol Colwell, Sheri Bradley, Jean Walsh, Lori Marquette, Chandeni Sendall, Anita Mackey, Debbie Fuetsch, Lori Elliott, Barrie Brodrick, Amy Nelson, Janice Campbell, Sheri Peterson, Tracy Smith, Jean Driver, Irene Reznick, Kris Layman.