SerpApi.Org
Audrey Marler didn't make things easy on three-time defending champion Sarah Reed during Tuesday's first round of match play at the 63rd Midland Women's City Golf Tournament.
Reed had to battle throughout the round, but the Legacy graduate and West Texas A&M golfer prevailed with a 3 and 2 victory over the former Grady standout at Green Tree Country Club.
“Definitely had a lot of ups and downs out there,” Reed said. “Audrey put up such a great fight. She had me shaking in my boots a little bit.
“I was only 1 up through nine and I was 2-under. That doesn't necessarily happen a lot, especially in the first round out here. She was making putts left and right, so it definitely forced me to be a little more aggressive on the back nine. I had some bogeys and I had some birdies, and you can only be aggressive on so many shots. But overall, I shot 3-under through 17 holes, and you can't be too mad about it. At the end of the day, I feel there's still a lot I need to improve on."
Reed advances to face former champion Christian Mercado (née Curnutte) in a Championship Flight semifinal at 8:16 a.m. Wednesday at Odessa Country Club's Old Course. Mercado defeated another former champion, Lettia Collins, 7 and 5.
In the other Championship Flight semifinal, qualifying medalist and rising Midland Lee sophomore Zayley Alvarado defeated Midland High volleyball coach Audra Howard, 6 and 4, while tournament honoree Brooke Schlemeyer beat Becky Brandt, 4 and 3. Alvarado and Schlemeyer will tee off at 8:24 a.m. Wednesday.
Although Reed is seeking her fourth consecutive Women's City title, she said she rarely thinks about the accomplishment. Lisa Beck was the last golfer to win at least four straight tournament championships, capturing six consecutive titles from 1999-2004.
“I guess I didn't realize it hadn’t been done since Lisa,” Reed said. “I know it’s not going to be handed to me. They're all going to fight, and they all want their names on the trophy as much as I do. I’m still going to go out there and fight my butt off.”
Reed said enduring some struggles during the college season has given her a greater appreciation for both the game and the tournament.
“I’m more thankful for the good rounds, and it makes me even more thankful for this tournament, being able to come out and see these ladies,” she said. “I think it’s easier to enjoy yourself because you’re around all these wonderful women. They want to have fun, but they also want their names on that trophy just as much as the next woman. They’re amazing women, and they're here to have a good time. It’s really hard not to have a good time out here. That’s what makes it so special.”
Mercado said Tuesday's performance was a significant improvement from Monday's qualifying round.
"I think consistency mattered today — staying in the fairways and staying out of trouble," Mercado said. “That was the only option today.”
Mercado noted Collins wasn't feeling her best Tuesday, making the victory feel somewhat bittersweet. Still, she's looking forward to facing Reed in Wednesday's semifinal, a matchup between two former champions who have never played each other in competition.
Now focused primarily on coaching, Mercado said she only competes in a handful of tournaments each year, making the Women's City Golf Tournament even more meaningful.
“My priority now is coaching and being on that end of things,” Mercado said. “So it’s always good to come back and be on this side and kind of get that adrenaline rush and that competitive mode again.”
63rd Midland Women’s City Golf Tournament
Tuesday’s first round match play results
At Green Tree Country Club
Championship flight – (1) Sarah Reed def. (8) Audrey Marler, 3 & 1; (5) Christian Mercado def. (4) Lettia Collins, 7 & 5; (2) Zayley Alvarado def. (7) Audra Howard, 6 & 4; (3) Brooke Schlemeyer def. (6) Becky Brandt, 4 & 3
First flight – (1) Abby McCollough def. (8) Bobbi Bowling, 5 & 3; (4) Mazie Thomas def. (5) Jemma Kidd, 3 & 2; (2) Diane Burnett def. (7) Laura Ledsome, 2 & 1; (3) Paula Bettis def. (6) Surangk McGowan, 2 & 1
Second flight – (8) Sheryl Ivy def. (1) Challis Long, 2 & 1; (4) Cally Haller def. (5) Tammy Marcom, 8 & 6; (7) Tammy Lawrence def. (2) Amanda Espinosa, 3 & 2; (3) Debbie Peden def. Lydia Thompson, 5 & 3
Third flight – (8) Shelby Thomas def. (1) Lee Anne Curry 5 & 3; (5) Vanessa Carr, def. (4) Bonnie Ray 3 & 2; (2) Cindy Jeter def. (7) Sarah Lands, 4 & 2; Nichole Brown def. Callie Stevens, 3 & 1
Fourth flight – (1) Melissa Peterson def. (8) Donna Gray, 9 & 8; (5) Elise Kail def. (4) Janet Garrett, 2 up; (2) Kelly Baggett def. (7) Mary Jane Belden, 7 & 5; (6) Marlene Kasch def. (3) Audrey Stringfield, 2 & 1
Wednesday’s match play pairings
At Odessa Country Club – Old Course
Championship flight – Sarah Reed vs. Christian Mercado, 8:16 a.m. Zayley Alvarado vs. Brooke Schlemeyer, 8:24 a.m.; Consolation, Audrey Marler vs. Lettia Collings, 8 a.m.; Audra Howard vs. Becky Brandt, 8:08 a.m.
First flight – Abby McCullough vs. Mazie Thomas, 9:52 a.m.; Diane Burnett vs. Paula Bettis, 10 a.m.; Consolation: Bobbi Bowling vs. Jemma Kidd, 9:36 a.m.; Laura Ledsome vs. Surangk McGowan, 8:24 a.m.
Second flight – Sheryl Ivy vs. Cally Haller, 9:20 a.m.; Tammy Lawrence vs. Debbie Peden, 9:28 a.m.; Consolation: Challis Long vs. Tammy Marcom, 9:04 a.m.; Amanda Espinosa vs. Lydia Thompson, 9:12 a.m.
Third flight – Shelby Thomas vs. Vanessa Carr, 10:24 a.m.; Cindy Jeter vs. Nichole Brown, 10:32 a.m.; Consolation: Lee Ann Curry vs. Bonnie Ray, 10:08; Sarah Lands vs. Callie Stevens, 10:16 a.m.
Fourth flight – Melissa Peterson vs. Elise Kail, 8:48 a.m.; Kelly Baggett vs. Marlene Kasch, 8:56 a.m.; Consolation: Donna Gray vs. Janet Garrett, 8:32 a.m.; Mary Jane Belden vs. Audrey Stringfield, 8:40 a.m.
