Miranda Secures the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur
It was a picture perfect finish to the 100th Women’s Iowa Amateur contested at Sunnyside Golf and Country Club in Waterloo.
Hawkeye golfer Paula Miranda (pictured right) sealed the deal as her birdie putt on 18 dropped in the center of the cup Wednesday evening. Miranda shot rounds of 74 (+2) and a pair of 72s for rounds two and three.
Miranda credited patience to her success after finishing round one over par.
“I wanted to take it one day at a time, I was three shots behind after the first round and knew I had to go out there and play better. I struggled with the greens the first day and I knew I had to fix that,” Miranda said.
Leading up to the 18th hole Miranda had a tester four footer for par on the par-3 17th and knew she had to make that.
“I knew it would be a big mistake to leave that putt short, so I just took a deep breath,” she said.
This marks back-to-back years the Iowa Women’s Amateur trophy will stay in Iowa City.
“Really proud I could make that happen. We were all proud of Kate last year, so it is pretty special we get to have it for another year,” Miranda also added.
Along with capturing the Fladoos Trophy, Miranda also received an exemption into the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Runner-up honors belong to Iowa State University player Keeley Marx (pictured right) shooting a respectable 221 (+5). Not the outcome Marx hoped for, but she was still proud of the way she fought.
“I struggled out there a little the last two days, but really happy with how I finished the last round. It was an amazing course and I am glad I got to go out there and play,” Marx said.
This tournament was an ultimate test for players and showed to be mentally draining.
“I thought this tournament was really mentally draining. It was tough getting up early, driving an hour and a half to get here, finishing at 8:30, but that is what you just have to do,” Marx added.
University of Northern Iowa’s own Anna Jensen (pictured left) climbed up the leaderboard during the final round as the only player to card an under par round. Jensen carded an impressive 69 (-3) for the day and it was credited to playing freely.
“Honestly I wanted to come out here and play the best I could and see what happens,” Jensen said.
Jensen saw herself taking it one shot at a time, hitting fairways, greens, and making putts.
“The goal for the day was to take it one shot at a time. First fairway, green, and then make the putt. That is what I did and everything just fell into place,” Jensen added.
Over the three rounds Jensen totaled for 223 (+7). Just one shot behind her finishing in fourth was no other than Drake University player Amber Henson. All four of Iowa’s major universities finished in the top four.
In the Open Division, going wire-to-wire, was none other than Waterloo’s very own Kelly Nelson (pictured right).
Nelson carded all three rounds of 78s’ finishing at 234 (+18). Nelson, as some may recall, has been crowned Champion in the Open-Division ‘13, ‘19, 21’, and now ‘24. Finishing in a tie for runner-up at 246 (+30) was Rosaline Kubesheski and Geri Huser.
Congratulations to both Marley Richter and Kim Fenstrman for getting a hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the second round of play!
