Christenson takes Neb. Amateur women's crown

Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette J.C. Stevenson and Anna Christenson went head to head in the state women's match play championship Thursday at Heritage Hills Golf Course in McCook. Christenson, a finesse player, watches her approach shot on the No. 4 hole.

Anna Christenson, a 17-year-old senior-to-be at Lincoln East High School, defeated J.C. Stevenson 1 up to win the Nebraska Women's Amateur Golf Association match play championship today at Heritage Hills Golf Course in McCook.

After Christenson putted to within inches of the cup on the 18th hole, Stevenson conceded the victory.

This is the second title for Christenson this summer. She won the Nebraska State Junior Girls Amateur at Pioneers in Lincoln.

Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette Anna Christenson hits her tee shot on No. 2.

Christenson is coached by Mike Schuchart, a former winner of the John Mullen Pro-Am at Heritage Hills.

Christenson's father B.C. followed her throughout all five rounds of the tournament.

Winners of the other flights were Johnna Jeffries, Grand Island, first flight, 3 and 1; Jane Erickson, Omaha, second flight, 19 holes; and Sydney Smith, Omaha, third flight, 5 and 4.

Christenson's hole-in-one highlighted the semifinal round Wednesday.

In an interview with Stu Pospisil of the Omaha World-Herald, Christenson said her opponent, Kayla Knopik of Papillion, was the first to hit on the 16th hole and almost holed her tee shot.

Then, Christenson exclaimed, "I hit it in the same spot and it fed to the hole. It was so cool."

The decisive ace by Christenson highlighted the four day tournament. The event began Monday at Heritage Hills with a stroke play qualifying round, then continued Tuesday with the start of match play.

Winners in the championship flight had to play two rounds Tuesday, competing first in the Round of 16, then competing in the quarterfinals if they won their opening matches.

In all other flights there were eight golfers, so the second day matches served as quarterfinal competition.

Among the 40 golfers competing, five have direct ties to McCook. The hometown contingent included Erin (Gumb) Schwenka, a former McCook High School golfer who now lives in Minden; Norma Lee Perkins, a former McCook resident who now lives in Sidney; Delores Wiemers, a former McCookite who now lives in Omaha; and Barbara Morris and Judy Spomer, who are both current McCook residents. The local golfers did not advance to the semifinals

Eight semifinal matches were played Wednesday morning at Heritage Hills in still, sultry conditions, with temperatures edging above the 100 mark in McCook.

Following are the semifinal match results:

Championship Flight (Semifinal)

J.C. Stevenson defeated Kristen Kosch 4 & 3

Anna Christenson defeated Kayla Knopik 3 & 2

First Flight (Semifinal)

Johnna Jeffries defeated Theresa Coyle 2 & 1

Kylie Smith defeated Julie Hall 4 & 3

Second Flight (Semifinal)

Teri Schafer defeated Katie Keiser 3 & 2

Jane Erickson defeated Debbie Sandstedt 6 & 5

Third Flight

Sandy Harrison defeated Courtney Smith 1 up

Sydney Smith defeated Kathy Wood 7 & 6

Crick's men's

amateur lead cut

to two strokes

LINCOLN -- Only two golfers shot under par Wednesday in difficult scoring conditions at Firethorn Golf Club.

Both will be rewarded with a spot in the final group with tournament leader, Brandon Crick of McCook.

Trent Price posted the tournament's low round with a four-under par 67. He is tied for third at 218 (+5) with Nebraska Match Play champion, John Hurley of O'Neill.

Mike Vanier (pictured) finished at one-under par 70 and is two shots back of Crick at 217 (+4).

Men's state amateur leaders

After three rouBrandon Crick, McCook 215

Mike Vanier, Lincoln 217

Trent Price, Lincoln 218

John Hurley, O'Neill 218

Ty Capps, Lincoln 219

Andy Sajevic, Fremont 219

Ben Tewes, Lincoln 220

Jordan Reinertson, Gibbon 221

Larry Sock, Lincoln 222

John Sajevic, Fremont 223