Pardus, 50, is a newly-minted senior in women’s golf and she hasn’t wasted a moment of her first year of senior competition.
Jayne Pardus of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. started her summer with the intention of playing a few tournaments and spending most of her time at home with her two teenage children. Little did she know, she would have a summer to remember and finish the season as the 21st Carolinas Senior Women’s Amateur Champion.
Pardus, 50, is a newly-minted senior in women’s golf and she hasn’t wasted a moment of her first year of senior competition. She started the year with a win at the Women’s South Carolina Golf Association’s (WSCGA) Senior Championship, finishing with an even-par 144 and winning the championship by eight strokes. Next, she qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and was the last Carolinian standing after advancing to the Round of 32. Her next win came at the WSCGA Match Play Championship, where she defeated amateurs and seniors alike, winning her final match 4&3. Now, a little over four months after her first win of the summer, she has notched her third this year at the 21st Carolinas Senior Women’s Amateur.
“I had no sort of plans to play this summer since I have two kids that are still on their own competitive journeys, but after the win at the WSCGA Senior and making it through to the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, I just kept going.”
Pardus made a birdie on her final hole, No. 18, to card a two-under-par 70 in the final round, giving her a total of two-over-par 146. Pardus played steady all day, only making one bogey and three birdies and was inside enjoying some well-earned AC when she found out she was in a tie for first with Brenda Kuehn of Asheville, N.C. Kuehn, who competed in her first Carolinas Senior Women’s Amateur this year at the age of 54, was in the lead group after an opening round of even-par 72. Today, she carded three bogeys and a birdie to finish with a two-over-par 74, bringing her total to 146. With a tie at the top, the two women headed to the 18th tee for a playoff.
Pardus, who had made birdie at the 18th in her round today, felt confident heading to the tee for the playoff.
“I hit a good drive and thought about going for it, but then decided to play it a little safer. Then my rangefinder battery went out, so I had to just feel my approach shot. I hit it up there a little short, about 25 feet, but Brenda hit in there, probably three feet. I thought it was over. I had struggled all day on the greens, but with this putt, I could see the line. I told myself not to leave it short and I didn’t! It went in. I finally hit a good putt after struggling on the greens this week, and it was the one that counted.”
Kuehn missed her putt to force an additional playoff hole and Pardus was named the 21st Carolinas Senior Women’s Amateur Champion. Pardus was excited to win, but revelling in her victory would not last long.
“I just got a text: ‘when are you going to be home?’ not ‘Congrats,’” Pardus laughed. “My family has struggled a little bit with me being away, but I think it’s important for my kids to see me doing what I love. It’s a good healthy process for my kids to see me doing things for myself and doing what I love while they are able to grow up a little without me being there every minute. It’s hard as a mom - and my biggest job is being a mom - to step away and do this for me. I’m excited for this win and I know they will be, too.”
Kim Briele of New Bern, N.C. had the low round of the tournament with a three-under-par 69 in the final round. Her tournament total of 149 put her in a tie for third with Round One leader Peg Brady of Stanley, N.C. Six-time Carolinas Senior Women’s Amateur Champion Pat Brogden of Garner, N.C. finished in fifth with a six-over-par 150.
In the Carolinas Division (shorter tees), Murrie Ives of Charlotte, N.C. finished with rounds of 75-73--148 to take home first place in the division. Ives made seven birdies over two days. Also in the Carolinas Division, Carole Jones of Hillsborough, N.C. earned the Low Super Senior Award (ages 65+) after her scores of 73-80--153. Jones finished one better than her age in the first round.
About the Carolinas Women's Senior
The championship is contested at 36 holes of stroke play with a Championship Division and Carolinas Division (shorter course). Entry is open to any female amateur golfer who has reached her 50th birthday, is a legal resident of North Carolina or Sout...
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