City Women's Championship at Bing Maloney
June 20,21, 2009

   Unlike the thousands of fans at BethPage Black that had to endure the worst conditions to get a single glimpse of the best players in the world, nearly a hundred friends and family members came out an a mild sunny Father's Day weekend to watch some of the best amateur women golfers in the area compete for the 74th Annual Sacramento City Women's Golf Championship.  Some of the past champions of this trophy include a past LPGA major champion and former LPGA player of the year in Alice Miller, a past USGA Junior Girls champion in Jamille Jose, and a past champion of the popular Big Break Kaanapali, Kim Welch.

   On the first day, 59 women teed it up for the chance to become the 74th Sacramento City Women's Champion.  Although the weather conditions were ideal, some of the hole locations were brutal and only five players managed par or better after the first round with 2009 Junior City and County Girls Champion Paige Lee, 14, at even par 73, 2007 Junior City Champion and current St. Francis High School player Daniela Okino at 72, Cameron Park CC Club Champion Kelly Wilson at 71, former Sac State star Heather Lemaster at 70 and 2005 State Fair Champion and current WCC conference women's golfer of the year, Danielle Cvitanov of USF at 70.  Last year's runner up, Brooke Green, of Sac State, and current Fresno State star, Chelsea Czinski, were not far behind at 74.  A number of women were still in contention lurking at 75, including present and future UC Davis stars, Brittany Smith, Lauren Dobashi and Belen Hernandez, and three-time defending champion, Christina Stockton of USF.  Christina was trying to break a tie with Kim Welch to become the only woman to win four in a row. 

   On the second day, the weather conditions remained ideal with temperatures in the 80s with only a slight breeze.  Unfortunately, the hole location on number ten was again a point of contention with more four putts than two putts.  As each of the competitors were unable to make a charge, two of the leaders, Kelly Wilson and Danielle Cvitanov, played steady and separated themselves from the field.  It became a two way battle down the stretch as Danielle missed several birdie opportunities, including a four foot birdie putt on 16 that kept Kelly within striking distance.  After they matched pars on 17, the women came down 18 with Kelly still trailing by one.  Kelly, one of the longer hitters in the area bombed her drive down the left center of the fairway and had less than a 100 yards into the hole and Danielle also split the fairway, but was about 30 yards behind Kelly.  Danielle was the first to hit and stuck an eight iron within 15 feet to the left side of the green.  Kelly needing to stick a wedge came up just a little short, leaving herself a 30 foot putt.  With most of the championship flight and their families and friends sticking around and circling the green to see if Kelly could force a playoff, Kelly struck a solid putt that was just off line and left Danielle needing a two putt for the win.  With a perfect lag putt, Danielle was able to tap-in for her par to match Kelly Wilson's even par round of 73, and finish the tournament at 3-under, with a one stroke victory to become the 74th Sacramento City Women's Amateur Champion.  Following the tournament, Christina was happy to hand over the trophy to her friend and college teammate.