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Monday-Saturday, July 26-31, 2004 | |
| Bemidji Town & Country Club, Bemidji, Minnesota | ||
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| Birchmont Home | Bemidji Town & CC Home | The Vandersluis | ||
| 2004 Women's Championship | ||
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| UM's Petsinger comes through | ||||
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BY JOHN J. McRAE The Pioneer of Bemidji BEMIDJI, Minn.
The U.S. Amateur. If this week is any indication the University of Minnesota junior could be in for one heck of a major tournament. Petsinger captured the 2004 Birchmont women's division crown Saturday, defeating a tough Megan Hanson of Glenwood 2 and 1. "When I played a lot better this week than I have in a while and then win the tournament, it's a real confidence booster," said Petsinger of Arvilla, N.D. "You know you have to play pretty decent to get into this position." The newly crowned champion said neither Hanson nor she played well in the opening few holes. "We both struggled a bit at the beginning," she said of the final round. "I was able to take a 2-up lead at the turn." Hitting the back nine, Petsinger said play improved considerably. "We both birdied 10 to halve the hole," she said. "We both started hitting the ball a lot better." Petsinger moved to 3-up with a par on the always tough 12th hole. Hanson, however, refused to cave in. She birdied 14 to cut into the lead when Petsinger missed her eight foot birdie try. Hanson kept up the charge and took advantage of a Petsinger three putt on 16 to cut the lead to one. 
"I have to admit I was a little nervous while standing on the 17th tee," Petsinger said. Like a seasoned tournament veteran, however, Petsinger hit her drive into the middle of the fairway and her approach shot to 15 feet.Hanson, meanwhile couldn't convert her par opportunity and Petsinger claimed the title. The new Birchmont champion said the week was valuable to her in terms of developing her game. "I found out the parts of my game I really need to work on," she said. "After playing here it's really obvious I need to work on my wedge play." Petsinger said that because the BTCC layout is considerably shorter than the courses she normally competes on in tournaments, she had the opportunity to use her wedge on a lot of approach shots. "I couldn't get my wedge shots close all week," she said. "It was like I was 130 yards out and using a nine iron. In order to score low, you have to get those wedge shots of 90 to 100 yards close to the hole. "I'm going to be working on that part of my game a lot until I leave for the U.S. Amateur." Petsinger said the week was also valuable in that it provided the six members of the Golden Gophers who made the trip north with a great team bonding experience. "We all got to know each other a lot better," she said. "It was also nice to be able to get to know (Samantha Braschler) and her style of play. She's going to be a great addition to the team. "We're all really excited for the season to start." View 2004 Women's Championship Brackets |
