Tournament chairman Sandy Santa Rossa (left)
Women's State Senior champion Susan West (AGA photo)

She fired rounds of 73-79-76--228 to be beat fellow Tuscaloosa native Lucie King, who shot 79-75-79--233, by five.

This Alabama Golf Associaiton championship was open to ladies who are 50 years old and above and featured three rounds of stroke play.

West played in both the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur and U.S. Women's Senior Amateur championships last year. She advanced to the quarter finals of the U.S. Women's Senior Amateur.

In Thursday's second round she had a big lead, but stumbled down the stretch. This did not deter her, as she played her first 14 holes in her final round in level par, with three birdies against three bogeys, and opened up a big lead again.

However, she struggled on the 16th hole for the second day in a row, but no matter as she had a lot of strokes to play with.

"I was so pleased with how patient I stayed in the (final) round. I tried hard not to get ahead of myself. The one time I allowed myself to wonder (where she stood in the championship) was on 16 and that did not go well, but I finished with two good pars on two tough holes," West said.

"I love to work hard (on my game) and it is nice to see that work pay off. I putted so much better today too.

"There are the names of so many people on the (Women's State Senior) trophy that I admire. What a thrill for me (to have her named added)."

West plans a full slate of golf this year, including the Southern Amateur, North-South Senior, State Amateur, State Stroke Play and various USGA championships, including being exempt into the U.S. Women's Senior Amateur.

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