Elizabeth Nagel of DeWitt, a Michigan State golfer, finished as the low amateur with a 72 for 221. Burnett won $5,500 for first place, and gained the confidence she was seeking heading into her first U.S. Open. She was a medalist in May in a sectional qualifier to make the field, all part of a great spring which included a fifth-place individual finish in the NCAA Championships. “I’m really happy with the way I played,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how I would play because I had about a month off and I’m usually better
when I’ve played a bunch of tournaments in a row. I’m really excited about the way I played.” Burnett dashed the hopes of others in the field and eliminated any drama with three birdies in the first six holes at Nos. 3, 4 and 6. She finCrystal Mountain’s Mountain Ridge par 3, hole number five ished the three rounds with 14 Burnett said. “I’m really happy I birdies and an eagle against three came here. It’s a great place, and the bogeys and one double-bogey, and course was in perfect shape. I would started the tournament with a love to come back.” course-record tying 66. Photo cby Greg Johnson
Ashley Tait of Littleton, Colo., finished third at even-par 216 with a final 69, and defending champion Laura Kueny closed strong with a 68 to tie for fourth at 217 with Olivia Jordan-Higgins of the United Kingdom.
“My goal was to win, that’s always the goal, but I never would have thought I would win by 10,”
Bavaird, a fourth-year pro, headed to Harris, Mich., in the Upper Peninsula for a Symetra Tour event this weekend, said the other golfers knew starting the day they were probably playing for second place. “She was pretty untouchable, very impressive,” she said. “I almost made a lot of putts. It could have been great. She seemed to make a lot of putts. She’s a strong player.”
Photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain
Bavaird, too, lauded Crystal Mountain Resort, which celebrated its 10th year as host of the 19-yearold tournament. More information about the award winning family resort can be found at http://crystalmountain.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Complete scoring and information on the tournament is also available at http://michiganpgagolf.com. Crystal Mountain’s Mountain Ridge par 3, hole number five 14
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
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MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE