At Texas Amateur, Alberto adds another line to her resume
July 19, 2019 | by Texas Golf Association
see also: Hanna Alberto, View results for Women's Texas Amateur, The Nelson Golf and Sports Club - Cottonwood Valley Course
Earlier this year, the Sam Houston State player played the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
Hanna Alberto’s winning performance at the 98th Women’s Texas Amateur was a testament to the theory of low expectations. The Sam Houston State senior from Kingwood on Friday scored a 1-up victory over SMU senior Faith Summers from San Antonio in the Championship Match of the oldest, most prestigious women’s amateur tournament in Texas.
The impressive victory far surpassed her objective for the week at Bent Tree Country Club.
In addition to a red-hot putter and consistent ball-striking, what helped Alberto navigate an 18-hole Qualifying Round followed by five rounds of stressful match play were her modest goals. That’s significant because Alberto was one of the best players in the field. She’s won seven college events at Sam Houston State, and her World Amateur Golf Ranking of 50th was the highest of all the competitors in the 98th Women’s Texas Amateur.
Still, she stayed conservative when it came to her goals.
“I just wanted to make it through the second match play round because that’s where I lost in this event two years ago,” said Alberto, a two-time Southland Conference Player of the Year for the Bearkats. “Not having too high of expectations kind of helped me because I was just focusing on my game and hitting good shots.”
She hit plenty of those on Friday, as she did all week. After trading three pars on the 1972 Desmond Muirhead-designed course that Keith Foster renovated in 2002, Alberto drew first blood against Summers when she poured in a 23-foot birdie on the 380-yard, par-4 fourth hole. Alberto promptly gave up her lead with a bogey on the fifth hole, but a 20-foot birdie on the par-4 seventh gave Alberto another 1-up lead.
Alberto stretched it to a 2-up advantage when she made a 5-foot birdie on the 154-yard, par-3 eighth hole. The 2-up lead remained in place for the next hour or so. Summers played incredibly steady golf for her part. She made 15 straight pars – including seven one-putt scrambles – before finally cracking through with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 16th hole to cut Alberto’s lead to 1 up.
Alberto ultimately won the championship with a routine par on the 18th hole.
“It means a lot to win this great tournament,” said Alberto, who earlier this year played in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. “My friends and family were here and watching. It was a really close match, and I’m glad everything turned out well.”
Summers was gracious in defeat. She was proud of her effort, and rightfully so. For the fourth day in a row, temperatures soared into the high 90s. Fatigue was a factor for all the talented players in the field, and Summers capped off her week by playing the championship-quality course at 1-under par. Nothing to be sore about there.
“Being able to survive five rounds of match play in three days and knowing I have that endurance and competitive edge is really going to help me,” Summers said. “Hanna was just playing some amazing golf. I made it tough on her, though. I made 17 pars today, so she had to make birdies to beat me. She’s an amazing golfer.”
The impressive victory far surpassed her objective for the week at Bent Tree Country Club.
In addition to a red-hot putter and consistent ball-striking, what helped Alberto navigate an 18-hole Qualifying Round followed by five rounds of stressful match play were her modest goals. That’s significant because Alberto was one of the best players in the field. She’s won seven college events at Sam Houston State, and her World Amateur Golf Ranking of 50th was the highest of all the competitors in the 98th Women’s Texas Amateur.
Still, she stayed conservative when it came to her goals.
She hit plenty of those on Friday, as she did all week. After trading three pars on the 1972 Desmond Muirhead-designed course that Keith Foster renovated in 2002, Alberto drew first blood against Summers when she poured in a 23-foot birdie on the 380-yard, par-4 fourth hole. Alberto promptly gave up her lead with a bogey on the fifth hole, but a 20-foot birdie on the par-4 seventh gave Alberto another 1-up lead.
Alberto stretched it to a 2-up advantage when she made a 5-foot birdie on the 154-yard, par-3 eighth hole. The 2-up lead remained in place for the next hour or so. Summers played incredibly steady golf for her part. She made 15 straight pars – including seven one-putt scrambles – before finally cracking through with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 16th hole to cut Alberto’s lead to 1 up.
Alberto ultimately won the championship with a routine par on the 18th hole.
“It means a lot to win this great tournament,” said Alberto, who earlier this year played in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. “My friends and family were here and watching. It was a really close match, and I’m glad everything turned out well.”
Summers was gracious in defeat. She was proud of her effort, and rightfully so. For the fourth day in a row, temperatures soared into the high 90s. Fatigue was a factor for all the talented players in the field, and Summers capped off her week by playing the championship-quality course at 1-under par. Nothing to be sore about there.
“Being able to survive five rounds of match play in three days and knowing I have that endurance and competitive edge is really going to help me,” Summers said. “Hanna was just playing some amazing golf. I made it tough on her, though. I made 17 pars today, so she had to make birdies to beat me. She’s an amazing golfer.”
About the Women's Texas Amateur
Eligibility: Entries are open to female amateur golfers with a certified GHIN Handicap index. Player Field: Lowest handicap indexes in multiples of 8 with a maximum of 88 players. In the event the championship becomes over-subscribed, entries will be...
Most Popular Articles
Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry
Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.
U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock
Feb 19, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.
FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.
Yunseo Yang Wins Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific at Royal Wellington Golf Club
Feb 15, 2026Yunseo Yang makes history as Korea’s first WAAP champion, earning major exemptions with a dominant win.
If You’re Entering the U.S. Open, Read This First: 2026 Qualifying Explained
Feb 16, 2026110 locals. One Longest Day. Zero margin. Here’s what you need to know before filing for the 2026 U.S. Open.