Dana Dormann of Pleasanton made the field for the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open by winning a qualifying event on the Ocean Course at the Olympic Club in San Francisco by five strokes with a score of 3-under-par 68.
It was the second largest sectional qualifier for the national championship, with only a tournament in Florida having a bigger field.
“I have been preparing for this event, and it feels great to play well,” said Dormann, who was an All-American at San Jose State and is an associate head coach for the Spartans’ women’s team.
“John (her husband) gave me something to focus on yesterday, and it really helped. My good friend, Kay Cockerill (Golf Channel on-course commentator), caddied for me. She is an Olympic Club member and was a great resource for me. I am very excited to be playing in the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open.”
Dormann, who collected five birdies in her round, played in the U.S. Women’s Open 14 times after helping San Jose State win the 1987 NCAA Women’s Championship.
A member of the San Jose State Sports Hall of Fame and the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame, Doorman played nine years on the LPGA Tour, winning the 1992 Las Vegas LPGA International and the 1993 McCall’s LPGA Classic.
Suzy Whaley of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Kathryn Imrie of Scotland tied for second at 73.
Tina Barker of Fairfield, who captured the California Women’s Amateur Championship in 2010 and 2011, finished fourth at 77 and Julie Wirth of Lafayette claimed the fifth and final qualifying spot by winning a playoff after shooting 78.
Alternates include Denise Bondurant of Paso Robles and Dixie Eckes of Santa Barbara, who both shot 78, and Cindy Mah-Lyford of Roseville, who finished at 79.
In a qualifier at Newport Beach Country Club, M.K. Thanos-Zordani led the way at even-par 72, followed by Kathy Kurata of Pasadena and Cindy McConnell of Malibu at 73, while Evelyn Orley of Cardiff and Akemi Nakata of Japan tied for fifth at 75 to earn the last two qualifying spots.
Corey Weworski is the first alternate after shooting 75 and losing in a playoff , while Caryn Wilson of Rancho Mirage and Marianne Towersey of Pebble Beach also are alternates after carding 76s.
The U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be played July 12-15, at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.
For complete results, visit http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/2018-u-s–senior-women-s-open-qualifying-results0.html.
