First Time Tour Winner Sinks Dramatic Birdie Put on 18 for Victory
MASON, OH (June 22, 2008) -- Stephanie Otteson, a second-year player on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, holed a clutch 30-foot putt on the final hole to win the second annual Duramed Championship at the Golf Center at Kings Island with a three-round total of 9-under par 204.
Otteson, who had never won before on tour, started the day with a one-shot lead over Mindy Kim, her co-leader after the first round, and traded the lead with Kim most of the day. But after a nice third shot on 18 that landed on the upper tier past the pin, Otteson coolly nailed the birdie putt to clinch the win.
“Everything just seemed to come together this week,” said Otteson, whose best previous finish this season was 12th place last week at the Decatur stop. “I’ve been working hard on my putting. You don’t know how hard I’ve been working on my putting.”
To make things even more interesting, Jessica Shipley, playing in the group behind the leaders, made a dramatic charge on the back nine, posting four birdies on the final five holes, including a 20-foot putt of her own on 18 to move into a three-way tie and finish with a three under for the day, finishing at -8, 205 for the tournament .
With a playoff looming and Otteson’s second shot some 40 yards closer to the pin, Kim chose to go for the water-protected green on the dogleg left 18th but instead found the pond. Her next shot off her drop landed in the right bunker behind the pin and she settled for a bogey six on the final hole to finish in third place by herself. That was still good enough to move her to the top of the money winning list, displacing Vicky Hurst from the top spot.
For the victory, Otteson, who led or co-led each round of the Tournament, earns $15,400 to move into eighth place on the Tour’s money list.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
OTTESON REMAINS IN THE LEAD AT DURAMED CHAMPIONSHIP
Storm Threat Forces Early Start Times on Sunday
MASON, OH (June 21, 2008) – On this first full day of summer, every bit of extra daylight was needed to complete the rain-delayed second round of the Duramed Championship, with Stephanie Otteson all by herself at the top of the leader board going into Sunday’s final round.
Otteson, whose best finish so far this year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour is a tie for 12th last week at the Decatur stop, had one birdie on her front nine and two birdies on the back nine, including one on the par 5 18th. A bogey on the par 3 14th was the only hole that spoiled her round.
“Some of the pars felt like birdies, I got up and down and pretty much saved or made every situation, every iron shot,” said Otteson. “The rain didn’t really affect me at all. If anything, it gave me a break, I relaxed a bit.”
Mindy Kim, the first round co-leader, is one shot back after a one under 70 to stand alone in second place. In third is Katie Allison, who made a strong charge from a tie for seventh on the strength of a five under 66 to be two shots back of Otteson.
The leaders had just hit their approach shots on the 15th hole when play was suspended just before 6 p.m. A line of thunderstorms and severe weather that came through the Mason area forced tournament officials to pull the remaining 33 golfers who had not finished off the course until 7:40 p.m.
Because of the threat of storms again on Sunday, tournament officials have decided to start the final round with groups going off simultaneously on holes 1 and 10, to speed play. That means the leaders will tee off around 9:30 a.m. and the final round should be finished by about 2 p.m.
MASON, OH (June 21, 2008) – On this first full day of summer, every bit of extra daylight was needed to complete the rain-delayed second round of the Duramed Championship, with Stephanie Otteson all by herself at the top of the leader board going into Sunday’s final round.
Otteson, whose best finish so far this year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour is a tie for 12th last week at the Decatur stop, had one birdie on her front nine and two birdies on the back nine, including one on the par 5 18th. A bogey on the par 3 14th was the only hole that spoiled her round.
“Some of the pars felt like birdies, I got up and down and pretty much saved or made every situation, every iron shot,” said Otteson. “The rain didn’t really affect me at all. If anything, it gave me a break, I relaxed a bit.”
Mindy Kim, the first round co-leader, is one shot back after a one under 70 to stand alone in second place. In third is Katie Allison, who made a strong charge from a tie for seventh on the strength of a five under 66 to be two shots back of Otteson.
The leaders had just hit their approach shots on the 15th hole when play was suspended just before 6 p.m. A line of thunderstorms and severe weather that came through the Mason area forced tournament officials to pull the remaining 33 golfers who had not finished off the course until 7:40 p.m.
Because of the threat of storms again on Sunday, tournament officials have decided to start the final round with groups going off simultaneously on holes 1 and 10, to speed play. That means the leaders will tee off around 9:30 a.m. and the final round should be finished by about 2 p.m.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Kim, Otteson share Duramed Championship Lead with -7
Personal Best For Both Is One off Kings Island Course Record
MASON, OH (June 20, 2008) – A pair of second year pros, 18-year old Mindy Kim, and 24-year old Stephanie Otteson, shot their best rounds as professionals today, both with a 7-under 64 to finish as co-leaders after the first round of the $110,000 Duramed Championship, being played this weekend at the Golf Center at Kings Island.
Kim, who already has won back-to-back, wire-to-wire titles this year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, shot six birdies on the front nine to make the turn at five-under 31, and at one time had six birdies in a row before shooting par on the final three holes of this par 71 course. Otteson did nearly the opposite, closing with a 31 on the back nine, spoiled only by a bogey on her next to last hole.
“I just hit good approach shots to the green and gave myself great opportunities,” said Kim. “I caught some good breaks and holed one from the bunker.”
“I won’t do anything differently for the second round,” said Otteson, who credited hard work on her putting for her low score. “It’ll be nice to have my name known, to have people recognize who Stephanie Otteson is, I’m going to go out with the same game plan.”
Both players just missed tying the women’s course record of eight under 63, set in 198 by LPGA legend Patty Sheehan in the LPGA Championship. Kim comes into Mason third on the Tour money list, with the top five at the end of the season automatically earning their full card to the LPGA. Otteson’s best finish so far this season is a tie for 12th last week at the Michelob ULTRA Duramed FUTURES Players Championship.
In third, just two shots back, is Jenny Gleason after a round of five uner 66. In fourth is a pack tied at minus four, including Kim Welch, Jessica Shepley, Sophia Sheridan and Song Yi Choi.
The Duramed Championship continues Saturday at the Golf Center at Kings Island, with the field cut to half for Sunday’s round. The winner of the Duramed Championship earns $15,400 and the runner-up, $11,000.
MASON, OH (June 20, 2008) – A pair of second year pros, 18-year old Mindy Kim, and 24-year old Stephanie Otteson, shot their best rounds as professionals today, both with a 7-under 64 to finish as co-leaders after the first round of the $110,000 Duramed Championship, being played this weekend at the Golf Center at Kings Island.
Kim, who already has won back-to-back, wire-to-wire titles this year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, shot six birdies on the front nine to make the turn at five-under 31, and at one time had six birdies in a row before shooting par on the final three holes of this par 71 course. Otteson did nearly the opposite, closing with a 31 on the back nine, spoiled only by a bogey on her next to last hole.
“I just hit good approach shots to the green and gave myself great opportunities,” said Kim. “I caught some good breaks and holed one from the bunker.”
“I won’t do anything differently for the second round,” said Otteson, who credited hard work on her putting for her low score. “It’ll be nice to have my name known, to have people recognize who Stephanie Otteson is, I’m going to go out with the same game plan.”
Both players just missed tying the women’s course record of eight under 63, set in 198 by LPGA legend Patty Sheehan in the LPGA Championship. Kim comes into Mason third on the Tour money list, with the top five at the end of the season automatically earning their full card to the LPGA. Otteson’s best finish so far this season is a tie for 12th last week at the Michelob ULTRA Duramed FUTURES Players Championship.
In third, just two shots back, is Jenny Gleason after a round of five uner 66. In fourth is a pack tied at minus four, including Kim Welch, Jessica Shepley, Sophia Sheridan and Song Yi Choi.
The Duramed Championship continues Saturday at the Golf Center at Kings Island, with the field cut to half for Sunday’s round. The winner of the Duramed Championship earns $15,400 and the runner-up, $11,000.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Big Break on a Break this Week
The Big Break was not on The Golf Channel last night, due to coverage of the U.S. Open. But some of the women of the show will be appearing in the Michelob Ultra Duramed Futures Championship this weekend at Hickory Point in Decatur, Ill. Courtney Erdman, Elizabeth Stuart, Kim Welch and Lori Atsedes will be competing for the $16,100 prize.
The Big Break will return at its normal time, 10 p.m. on June 17. Also coming up soon is the actual Duramed Championship at the Kings Island Golf Center.
Preparation for this event has been huge, and everyone is getting excited for the tournament. Players have a lot to look forward to as well. From the gourmet healthy meals provided, to complementary chiropractic care, and free consultations with a sports physiologist, the tournament is going to be very player oriented.
For more information about the upcoming tournament, visit http://duramedfuturestour.com/2008/Mason.asp.
The Big Break will return at its normal time, 10 p.m. on June 17. Also coming up soon is the actual Duramed Championship at the Kings Island Golf Center.
Preparation for this event has been huge, and everyone is getting excited for the tournament. Players have a lot to look forward to as well. From the gourmet healthy meals provided, to complementary chiropractic care, and free consultations with a sports physiologist, the tournament is going to be very player oriented.
For more information about the upcoming tournament, visit http://duramedfuturestour.com/2008/Mason.asp.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Samantha Head Eliminated on the Big Break
This week on the Golf Channel’s The Big Break, Samantha Head was eliminated and lost her chance at the LPGA for this year. An identical twin from England, her dream is to compete in the LPGA with her twin sister Joan. Though they have competed together in a number of tournaments in Europe, the two are still waiting to make their United States debut.
In her exit interview, Samantha said that her elimination was frustrating after three solid weeks of being in the elimination round. Despite her frustrations, she said that the show was a great learning experience for her. She said every morning before a competition she woke up nervous, something that did not typically happen when she was normally golfing.
As far as an overall winner of the Big Break, her prediction like many others is Kim Welch, for her ability to hit the ball so far. Stay tuned to see if these predications are correct.
The Duramed Futures Tour is on a break this week, but travel to Decatur, IL for the Michelob Ultra Duramed FUTURES Players Championship. Visit their Web site at www.duramedfuturestour.com for more information.
In her exit interview, Samantha said that her elimination was frustrating after three solid weeks of being in the elimination round. Despite her frustrations, she said that the show was a great learning experience for her. She said every morning before a competition she woke up nervous, something that did not typically happen when she was normally golfing.
As far as an overall winner of the Big Break, her prediction like many others is Kim Welch, for her ability to hit the ball so far. Stay tuned to see if these predications are correct.
The Duramed Futures Tour is on a break this week, but travel to Decatur, IL for the Michelob Ultra Duramed FUTURES Players Championship. Visit their Web site at www.duramedfuturestour.com for more information.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Mindy Kim Wins Again!
At the Aurora Health Care Championship, Mindy Kim had her second consecutive win of the Duramed Futures Tour putting her as the top money leader with $32,172.
In regards to the win, Kim felt thankful; “It takes a little bit of luck to win tournaments and I definitely had that, but I feel really fortunate at this age to be winning and putting myself in contention again,” she said in an article released by the Duramed Futures Tour.
Her victorious run has surprised everyone this year, including her. In her rookie season last November Kim missed the cut at the Duramed Futures Tour qualifying tournament. Using that cut as inspiration, she started to work harder and increase her maturity on the golf course.
At the Aurora Championship, her day began with a birdie on the first hole and for the second tournament in a row, she was the only competitor who finished under par.
Runners up included Kristen Stamp of Moberly, MO, Leah Wigger from Louisville, KY, Sarah-Jane Kenyon of Queensland, AUS and Briana Vega from Andover, Mass.
For a complete list of scores and other information regarding the tournament, visit http://duramedfuturestour.com/2008/LakeGeneva.asp.
Don’t forget to catch the Big Break tomorrow night at 10 p.m. on the Golf Channel.
In regards to the win, Kim felt thankful; “It takes a little bit of luck to win tournaments and I definitely had that, but I feel really fortunate at this age to be winning and putting myself in contention again,” she said in an article released by the Duramed Futures Tour.
Her victorious run has surprised everyone this year, including her. In her rookie season last November Kim missed the cut at the Duramed Futures Tour qualifying tournament. Using that cut as inspiration, she started to work harder and increase her maturity on the golf course.
At the Aurora Championship, her day began with a birdie on the first hole and for the second tournament in a row, she was the only competitor who finished under par.
Runners up included Kristen Stamp of Moberly, MO, Leah Wigger from Louisville, KY, Sarah-Jane Kenyon of Queensland, AUS and Briana Vega from Andover, Mass.
For a complete list of scores and other information regarding the tournament, visit http://duramedfuturestour.com/2008/LakeGeneva.asp.
Don’t forget to catch the Big Break tomorrow night at 10 p.m. on the Golf Channel.
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