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The battle for first place raged until the final putt. Defending champion Cowan put it all on the line and birdied the 18th hole for a one-stroke victory. With a two-day 146 total, Cowan had just enough to hold off last years runner-up Jenelle Gomez.

“I was keeping her score and after a double (bogey) on 9, I knew I had to get it together,” stated the El Macero member. With birdies on 10, 11, and 12, things looked to be going Cowan’s way, however Gomez was not giving up. “It came down to the wire and it was great competition,” Cowan added. While both women reached the 18th green in regulation, it was the defending champion who made the clutch putt.

“This felt like a match because it came down to the last shot. Lynne just doesn’t let things affect her - she is in her zone and doesn’t let the mistakes get to her. I feel good though because I have improved and I went out to just play the course,” commented the San Jose State senior. Gomez, a communications major, hopes to pursue the game further by turning professional next year. Cicilia Chudivan and Linda Ong were tied for third with a 12-over-par 156.

Continuing with the drama on the closing hole, the inaugural Senior Women’s Championship also played out on the closing green. Marianne Towersey, head coach of the CSU-Monterey Bay Women’s Golf team, had to par the final hole to capture the senior title. Towersey’s ten-over-par 154 was enough to hold off Pasatiempo member Sandy Woodruff by one stroke. As for the champion, she stated “I am proud to be the first and I am glad it came down to the last hole. This was great competition and the course played difficult.” First round leader Terry Mayes of Gilroy fell to third with a 12-over-par 156.

The President’s flight winner Cheri Doege of The Olympic Club shot a one-under-par net 143 to capture the title. Lynne Houghton of Agilent Technologies defeated Sue Stryker of PGG Rancho Canada in a playoff to claim second place alone. Both women finished with a two-day total net 145.

In the director’s flight, Karen O’Neill finished the tournament with a six-under-par net 138. First-round leader, Joyce Glatt of Chardonnay Golf Club, completed the day two-over-par for a two-day net total of 142 and Leslie Rundle of The Bridges finished third with a net 143.

Full results follow: