Ronda Henderson (Gross) and Jennifer Colley (Net) posted victories in the 2023 Nevada State Women’s Senior Amateur Championship. The tournament was held April 17-18, 2023, at Mountain Falls Golf Club in Pahrump. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Overall Gross Division
Ronda Henderson, from the WSNGA, started off the tournament slowly but quickly turned things around and raced to a 12-stroke victory.
Henderson double bogeyed her first hole of the two-day event but scrambled over the final 35 holes en route to winning her second individual state title. She also won this tournament in 2019. Overall, including team, partner and individual tournaments, she has about 10 state crowns.
“It was great to win,” she said. “State titles are always great because there are so many good players.”
It didn’t come without struggles.
“It was tough because, especially today, I really struggled with my swing but my short game and putting were stellar,” she said. “They saved me time after time after time.”
She said playing in the windy conditions players faced both days wasn’t a problem.
“I’m a fairly good wind player,” she said. “I’m just glad it was warm. I definitely play better when it’s warm.”
She added her ninth hole was the perfect example of how her two days went.
“I only had four holes left and I was fighting the nerves a little,” she said. “I hit my drive into a fairway bunker left and had to lay up. I had a 40-yard pitch shot that I hit to about eight feet and made the putt to save par. If you had watched me coming down the fairway you would have bet I was going to make a double bogey.”
So while her game wasn’t on point, she was proud of how she thought her way around the course each day.
“The thing I did great both days was I didn’t make any bad decisions,” she said. “I hit bad shots but didn’t make bad decisions. With a five-shot lead (heading into the final round) I knew I just couldn’t do anything stupid. I may not have played my best, but there’s not a decision I would have done differently.”
Overall Gross
Ronda Henderson, 73-73—146
Carol Martin, 78-80—158
Carrie Langevin, 78-82—160
Overall Net Division
Jennifer Colley, making the trip down from Reno for the tournament, posted a net eagle each day as she won a state crown for the first time.
“As anyone knows, Reno weather has been, shall we say, interesting to say the least,” she said. “We haven’t gotten to play much golf this year so it was great to be able to come out and play well. And for this to be a state championship is especially nice.”
Despite not seeing a lot of playing time, she said coaching tips helped her over the two days.
“A couple of things my coach taught me stick with me and they helped a lot,” she said. “You need to know your yardage. And I’ve got to keep my shoulders square and make sure to follow through. Those are the big things for me.”
She added she boiled down the two days to a simple thought process.
“I was literally just focusing on getting the ball to the green in regulation and having a good chip or putt,” she said. “I just went shot-by-shot and didn’t look ahead. I wanted to stay focused.”
Overall, she said her goal is to always enjoy the day.
Mission accomplished.
“I came out to have a good time,” she said. “You have to make it fun. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth your time. I had fun these two days.”
Overall Net
Jennifer Colley, 71-70—141
Sheri Bradley, 75-73—148
Nancy Prahm, 78-71—149
OTHER DIVISIONS
Women’s 50-59, Gross
Ronda Henderson, 73-73—146
Carol Martin, 78-80—158
Carrie Langevin, 78-82—160
Women’s 50-59, Net
Jennifer Colley, 71-70—141
Sheri Bradley, 75-73—148
Lai Rippee, 77-76—153
Women’s 60-69, Gross
Ruth Maxwell, 84-78—162
Deborah Rees, 83-83—166
Debbie Love, 82-84—166
Women’s 60-69, Net
Nancy Prahm, 78-71—149
Lori Marquette, 80-76—156
Cindy Hall, 76-80—156
Women’s 70-Plus, Gross
Lori Elliott, 83-86—169
Danielle Kaylor, 85-91—176
Karen Herness, 91-90—181
Women’s 70-Plus, Net
Joan Redeyoff, 78-78—156
Fay Geddes, 85-78—163
Jeannie Cassinelli, 79-87—166