On Monday, August 16th, Leanne Smith (right), of Indianola, finished with medalist honors at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Am Qualifier held in St. Joseph, Missouri. Smith will now travel to Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton, South Carolina for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in September.

At the beginning of her round, Smith started slowing with a bogey and a double in her first four holes. Smith made a birdie on the eighth hole but followed it up with a double on nine. Sitting at four-over-par after her front nine, Smith got back on track and made four straight pars to start her back nine.

After recording par on hole 13, three-straight bogeys showed up and put Smith at seven-over. With two holes to play, Smith was on the outside looking in and knew she needed to make something happen. Two par-five remained, and Smith took advantage. She made birdie on 17 and she was now in a three-way tie for first place.

A short par-five was all that was left for Smith. She needed birdie to win and qualify for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Instead of making birdie, Smith ensured her victory and recorded an eagle on her final hole of the qualifier. Smith won by two shots over Susan Devoe, of Overland Park, Kansas, and Martha Linscott, of Mission Hills, Kansas.

Kathy Dearborn, of Anamosa, competed for her spot into the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in Waukegan, Illinois. Dearborn missed a qualifying position by one stroke, but earned the first alternate after defeating Madeline Bond in a playoff.

The tournament dates are September 25-30, at Berkeley Hall Club (North Course) in Bluffton, South Carolina.

St. Joseph, Mo. Qualifier
1. Leanne Smith 74 *Medalist*
2. Martha Linscott 77 *Qualified*
3. Susan Devoe 77 *Qualified*
4. Carmen Titus 79 *1st Alternate*
5. Carrie Bostar 80 *2nd Alternate*

Waukegan, Ill. Qualifier
1. Jacqueline Setas 72 *Medalist*
2. Hui Chong Dofflemeyer 73 *Qualified*
3. Nora Klein 74 *Qualified*
4. Elizabeth Payne 80 *Qualified*
5. Heather Penn 81 *Qualified*
6. Erin Varner 82 *Qualified*
7. Kathy Dearborn 83 *1st Alternate*
8. Madeline Bond 83 *2nd Alternate*