Lehua Wise of Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta captured the Southern California PGA Women’s Championship for the third time, beating three players by one stroke at Monarch Beach Golf Links https://www.monarchbeachgolf.com in Dana Point.
Wise, who also claimed the title in 2011 and 2016, came from three strokes down in the final round, taking the lead for good with birdies on the 12th and 13th holes before holding on despite closing with two straight bogeys.
“I’m very happy, excited and surprised,” said Wise, who also won the Honma Golf Women’s Stroke Play Championship last month. “I just tried to stay in the present today and hit good shots. My goal is always to finish on top and at the same time I was just trying to have fun. It shows that if you focus on yourself and let loose it helps out a little bit.”
Wise posted a score of 73-73—146, 6-over-par, while Jacqueline Riegle of host Monarch Beach shot 77-70—147 to tie for second with Erika Hagan of SeaCliff Country Club in Huntington Beach, who finished at 71-76—147, and Alison Curdt of Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley, who wound up at 70-77—147.
Angela Buzminski of Woodland Hills Country Club was fifth 72-76—148, followed by Nikki Prichard of Arrowood Golf Club in Oceanside at 75-76—151, Jennifer Bermingham of Coto de Caza Golf Club at 77-75—152 and Janell Joslin of Premier Golf Academy in San Marcos at 78-77—155.
Amberlynn Dorsey of the SCPGA section office totaled at 79-78—157 to tie for 10th with Katy Barrett of La Jolla Country Club, who came in at 78-79—157.
Mardell Wilkins of Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita claimed the Teal Division title by shooting 90-77—167, followed by Heidi Richardson of Encinitas Ranch Golf Club at 88-84—172, and Janice Little of Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles at 83-91—174.
Curdt earned OMEGA Women’s Player of the Year Award, while Wilkins took the OMEGA Women’s Senior Player of the Year Award, and they will be honored at the annual SCPGA Presidents Dinner.
For complete results, visit https://scpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/scpga19/event/scpga19152/contest/9/leaderboard.htm
