DUNCAN 鈥斅燭aylor Kim fell one stroke shy of securing the first repeat sa国际传媒 Women鈥檚 Amateur golf championship since Kira Meixner managed the feat in 2007-08, coming oh-so-close to the achievement on another sizzling hot day at Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club on Friday afternoon.
Yet, there was hardly a hint of disappointment in her voice as the 20-year-old Kent State University senior knew she was about to hand off the prestigious Flumerfelt Cup to her younger sister Michelle, 17, who will be attending the University of Idaho in September.
For much of the day, Taylor stared down the course record of 5-under 67, which is held by Paula Creamer, the LPGA star who recorded that round at an American Junior Golf Association Future Links event in 2002.
Taylor was 7-under for the day after 12 holes before bogeys got her at the 13th, 15th and 17th holes to settle on a 4-under 68.
Her 286 total over the four rounds was just the one shot shy of Michelle鈥檚 285 thanks to solid rounds of 72, 71, 70 and finally a 1-under 71 on Friday.
鈥淚鈥檓 very happy. I started off with an eagle which really helped with my mental [game] and score, overall,鈥� said Michelle, who was 2-under after nine holes and recorded pars on the entire back nine, except for a bogey on 14.
鈥淚t was a nice and easy day for me, but on the 16th hole I heard Taylor was tied with me [overall]. It was nerve-racking because I know how aggressive she can get. It ended up unfortunate for her because she finished up with a couple of bogeys.鈥�
But both enjoyed the outcome, just the same.
鈥淚 had it, the first nine holes, 5-under,鈥� Taylor said of her run that included birdies on holes 1, 3, 4, 7 and 9. She added two more on 10 and 12 before she stumbled. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a really good score for the first nine. Then I made three bogeys coming in, which is a little disappointing. But I played great today, I鈥檓 really happy.鈥�
More so for her little sister.
鈥淚 know how it feels to win this kind of an event, having won it last year. I know she worked really hard for this with my dad while I was at school,鈥� Taylor said of Michelle. 鈥淚 know how much effort she put in to win this and I鈥檓 so proud of her.鈥�
That pride was felt both ways.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be very inspirational,鈥� Michelle said of accepting the trophy from last year鈥檚 champ and elder sibling. 鈥淪he鈥檚 always been my biggest role model, on and off the golf course. For me, it鈥檚 going to be really something to have both our names on that trophy.鈥�
The Surrey pair finished 1-2 while Gloria Choi of Langley took third in a playoff over Alisha Lau of Richmond as they both finished at 290. Choi had a final-round 71 to Lau鈥檚 73.
The Kim sisters and Choi will represent sa国际传媒 at the upcoming Canadian Women鈥檚 Amateur Championship at Riverside Golf Club in Saskatoon.
Victoria鈥檚 Naomi Ko, of Royal Colwood, was fifth as her 1-under 71 left her at 296 (the top Islander), one ahead of Annie Lee of Surrey and two up on a group of five golfers tied for seventh at 298 which included 15-year-old Shirin Anjarwalla of Nanaimo Golf Club and veteran Christina Spence Proteau of Port Alberni.
鈥淚鈥檓 happy with it,鈥� Ko said of her 71, which could have been a 70 if not for bogey on 17. 鈥淢y ball striking was better today and I was able to find more fairways.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 happy with the 73. I had it to 1-under after 13, but there were a couple of unfortunate shots towards the end,鈥� said Anjarwalla, who had an impressive 70 on Thursday.
Anjarwalla and champion Michelle Kim will next be in the strong field at the sa国际传媒 Junior Girl鈥檚 championship which starts on Tuesday at Cordova Bay.
