2022 State Fair Women’s
The 2022 California State Fair Women’s Championship was contested at the Bartley Cavanaugh GC, in Sacramento, CA, September 3-4, 2022. The event comprises two flights: a Championship Flight with players having an index of 6.6 or less, and a Handicap Flight open to players with an established WHS index of 36.4 or less.
Round 1 of the Handicap Flight produced 5 players under par: Terri McCall and Carrie Manriquez tied for first place with a net score of 67, Pam Katros and Tyra Jarvis in third place with 68, and in fifth position was Sakura Watanabe with a 1 under score of 70.
But at the end of Round 2, only three players finished under par. Kris Corbridge with a 68, the hard charging Rosie Ho with a net score of 65, and Sakura Watanabe. But the two veteran players could not overcome the phenomenal performance of the eventual Low Net Champion, Sakura Watanabe, who managed to produce two rounds under par. Her final round 67 in Round 2 coupled with her Round 1 score of 70, led to her 5 under par total of 137 on the par 71 layout. This was the first two day event for the First Tee product, who entered the event with an index of 10.8. The 13 year old 8th grader from Roseville, CA aspires to attend Granite Bay High School.
The Championship Flight also produced its own version of dramatic play. At the end of Round 1 the leaderboard was crowded at the top with nearly a third of the field scoring under par on the par 72 layout. In 9th place there was Caitlin Maurice, Gabriella Ilardi, and Iliana Rubio all shooting 71; Skyler May, Tavia Burgess, Sammie Miller, and Ellie Bushnell all stood in 5th place with scores of 70; Nikki Chindavong, Darla May Dela Torre, and Alaythia Hinds held a tie for 2nd place with a 3 under score of 69; while Sienna Lyford positioned herself in first place with a 4 under par 68.
Though in Round 2 of the Championship Flight there were only five players who managed scores under par: Caitlin Maurice, Penny Chai, Darla May Dela Torre, Alaythia Hinds, and Sienna Lyford. Hinds and Lyford entered the 18th hole tied with a total score of 134 each, it appeared imminent that an impressive sudden death playoff would ensue. But in breathtaking fashion Lyford birdied at number 18 to secure the win. She is now the reigning Champion of the State Fair Women’s Championship, with her 7 under score of 137 and wire to wire victory.
CONGRATULATIONS SAKURA and SIENNA!