After deep run at U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, Gunnison’s Marilyn Hardy falls in quarterfinals as opponent birdies final 2 holes of match that had been tied
By Gary Baines – 10/4/2023
Reaching the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur has proven quite an accomplishment for competitors with strong Colorado connections — but also quite a hurdle.
For instance, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton has made it to the quarters at the Senior Women’s Am four times, but hasn’t yet been able to advance to the semifinals.
And this year, part-time Gunnison resident Marilyn Hardy made a run to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2013, but in both instances the semis proved a bridge too far.
This time around, at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., Hardy’s impressive week at the Senior Women’s Am came to an end on Wednesday as Kim Keyer-Scott of Bonita Springs, Fla., used a strong finish to win their quarterfinal matchup 2 and 1.
Hardy, winner of two CGA Women’s Senior Stroke Plays and one Women’s Mid-Amateur, trailed after nine holes for her fourth straight match, but given that she’d come back to win the previous three, it didn’t seem to be anything to be particularly concerned about.
And indeed, after being 2 down after 10 holes, Hardy tied the match on 13 (with a birdie) and again on 15 (with a par). But that’s where her rally stopped as Keyer-Scott won both 16 and 17 with birdies to close out the match. Hardy finished 1 over par for 17 holes.
When she lost in the quarterfinals a decade ago, it was to Ellen Port, who went on to claim the title that year — one of her seven USGA championships. Besides her two Senior Women’s Am quarterfinals, Hardy made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur in 1987.
Hardy, 62, had been the oldest of this year’s Senior Women’s Am quarterfinalists, and she played 36 holes in two matches on Tuesday. Hardy has competed in more than 45 USGA championships overall in her career.
Wednesday marked the fourth straight 2-and-1 victory for Keyer-Scott this week in her Senior Women’s Am debut.
How golfers with strong Colorado ties fared at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur:
MATCH PLAY QUARTERFINALS WEDNESDAY
Kim Keyer-Scott, Bonita Springs, Fla., def. Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison, 2 and 1
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 16 TUESDAY
Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison, def. Sylvie Van Molle, Belgium, 19 holes
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 32 TUESDAY
Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison, def. Christie Blasi, Ozark, Mo., 2 and 1
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 64 MONDAY
Kathy Kurata, Pasadena, Calif., def. Stacey Arnold, Westminster, 1 up
Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison, def. Tina Barker, Fairfield, Calif., 5 and 3
Martha Linscott, Mission Hills, Kan., def. Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton, 2 and 1
STROKE PLAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Advance to Match Play
5. CO Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton 74-78–152
9. Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison 82-72–154
49. Stacey Arnold, Westminster 82-82–164
Failed to Advance to Match Play
Joanna Ringsby, Englewood 91-85–176
Laura Wetzel, Firestone 97-100—197
For all the scores from the Senior Women’s Am, CLICK HERE:
About the Writer: Gary Baines has covered golf in Colorado continuously since 1983. He was a sports writer at the Daily Camera newspaper in Boulder, then the sports editor there, and has written regularly for ColoradoGolf.org since 2009. He was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2022. He owns and operates ColoradoGolfJournal.com