DUNCAN 鈥擬ichelle Kim served notice to older sister Taylor Kim that she wasn鈥檛 about to be pushed around during a hot and muggy Round 3 of the sa国际传媒 Amateur and Mid-Amateur Women鈥檚 Championship at Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club on Thursday.
Taylor, 20, is the defending champ. But 17-year-old Michelle was as steely as can be, recording a 2-under 70 for a 214 total and carrying a 3-shot lead on Alisha Lau heading into today鈥檚 final round.
Taylor Kim, playing alongside her younger sibling, recorded a 1-under 71 for a 218 total and is tied for third with Hannah Lee, who like the Kim sisters, hails from Surrey.
Lee, Lau and Michelle Kim will all play in the final group today, while Taylor Kim is paired with Gloria Choi of Langley and Annie Lee of Surrey in the second-last group.
鈥淢y sister is actually playing really, really well. I didn鈥檛 really know that until I played with her today. She鈥檚 been real consistent off the tee, off the fairway and she鈥檚 putting really well. I have to be patient,鈥� Taylor Kim said of attempting to catch Michelle.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to try and catch her, but at the same time I鈥檓 really happy for her because she is playing well and she has a chance to win this. I do [want to win this] and I鈥檓 just going to try my best, but I also want my sister to win it, too. I think it鈥檚 good both ways.鈥�
The two chatted very little during the round.
鈥淚 actually tried talking to her today, like I always do, but she just kept away, like, 鈥楬ey, I鈥檓 going to beat you today.鈥� That kind of thing. It was competitive, but we had fun,鈥� said Taylor, who made a charge at Michelle early, with birdies at Holes 1 and 4 before a double-bogey set her back at the par-5 fifth.
As for Michelle, she turned in a solid round with three birdies and one lonely bogey.
鈥淪he鈥檚 always been a big role model and to know that I played better than her or that I鈥檓 still in it with her is really something [special] for me. I鈥檝e worked hard with her and seeing her work so hard always motivates me,鈥� said Michelle, who admitted there will be nerves today.
鈥淚 have been leading for three days, but going against my sister and Alisha, who is also from team sa国际传媒 [development team], it鈥檚 going to be nerve-racking,鈥� said Michelle.
Lost, somewhat, in the battle of the sisters is the fact that youth is being served here. Lau and Lee are both just 15 with Michelle Lee just two years older. Lau was tied for both low round of the day and the tournament with a 4-under 68, which veteran Shelly Stouffer of Fairwinds also shot. All three teens will be playing in the sa国际传媒 Junior Girl鈥檚 Championship next week at Cordova Bay.
Not lost on Thursday, however, was Port Alberni鈥檚 Christina Spence Proteau鈥檚 third straight Mid-Amateur title and fifth overall crown (she won in 2009, 鈥�11, 鈥�13, 鈥�14 and 鈥�15). Her 1-over 73 and 223 total just edged Stouffer by a single shot.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really special,鈥� said Proteau, who delivered son Jameson seven months ago and was playing just her 15th round of the year on Thursday.
鈥淭his one is probably the most special and I鈥檓 just trying to keep it together,鈥� admitted an emotional Proteau, who had husband Jim caddying while his parents watched over Jameson.
Proteau is tied for eighth overall with Megan Woodland of Uplands and Marie Donnici of Point Grey.
