June 15, 2011
RICHMOND -- It appears reinstated amateur Carol Robertson of Virginia Beach, ODU'sinterim women's golf coach and assistant men's coach is intent on making her return to VSGA championship action a memorable, albeit adventurous experience.
Robertson, making her first start in a VSGA championship since regaining her amateur status last September, shot a second-round best 2-under-par 70 to surge up the leader board at the 34th Virginias Women's Stroke Play Championship being conducted at Willow Oaks Country Club.
She is within two strokes of leader and two-time defending event champion Lauren Greenlief (Oakton) entering Thursday's final round.
The 20-year-old Greenlief followed her opening day 72 with 2-over 74 in the second round and owns the top spot with a 2-over 146 aggregate. Her closest pursuer, Robertson, opened with 78 and was six shots off Greenlief's pace to start Wednesday's second round.
But Robertson rallied to post the only round in red numbers the first two days and is at 4-over 148 for the championship. Hannah Pierce, 18, of King George, a rising sophomore at Longwood University, had a second round 75 and is five strokes back (7-over 151).
The day belonged to Robertson, who seemed thirsting for a rally from the outset, birdieing four of the first five holes, converting chances inside 8 feet on each occasion, playing that stretch in three under. Despite a bogey at the par-4 sixth hole, she turned in two under and added another birdie to offset a bogey on the inward half.
Robertson could only laugh when she reminisced about making a double and a triple bogey that derailed her round on Tuesday. The interim women's golf coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Robertson says she always reminds her players to stay away from the big number. On Wednesday, she followed her own advice, collecting five birdies to mute the impact of three bogeys.
"Obviously, [Tuesday] was a little disappointing. Here I am, telling my players to stay away from the big number and I am a knowledgeable person about avoiding it," she said with a laugh. "I hate making big numbers. I turned it around a little [Wednesday]."
After winning the 2006 VSGA Women's Amateur, Robertson, 27, played professionally from 2007-09. She admits that returning to amateur golf is like taking a deep breath of fresh spring air.
"It's definitely good to be back," Robertson said. "It's a grind out there, but I appreciate the friendships, too."
Robertson won in her last VSGA start - but that was nearly five years ago when she captured the VSGA Women's Amateur title in the summer of '06.
"I know I have to play the golf course - one hole, one shot at a time," Robertson said. "I know that I have to be patient and hope for another good day."
The 2010 VSGA Women's Division Golfer of the Year, Greenlief is trying to become the first player to take home three consecutive titles in the championship's history. She knows she'll have to be at her best in a variety of areas.
"I want to play smart, make sure my game is under control and - most of all - play with a lot of confidence," she said.
RICHMOND -- Results from the second round of the 34th Virginias Women's Stroke Play Championship at Willow Oaks Country Club (5,671 yards from the championship tees and 5,183 yards from the secondary set of tees par 36-36--72) on Wednesday, June 15.
Championship TeesLauren Greenlief (Oakton), 72-74--146Carol Robertson (Virginia Beach), 78-70--148Hannah Pierce (King George), 76-75--151Lyberty Anderson (Chesterfield), 79-75--154Shelley Savage (Alexandria), 78-76--154Stephanie Eybers (Haymarket), 82-76--158Amanda Steinhagen (Oak Hill), 79-79--158Kayleigh Reed (Virginia Beach), 79-79--158Boodie McGurn (Richmond), 81-79--160Lauren Eklund (Charlottesville), 75-85--160Kerry Johnson (Chesapeake), 87-76--163Lisa Combs (Amissville), 83-80--163Cindy Morris (Portsmouth), 82-81--163Lyndsey Hunnell (Troutville), 81-82--163Fran Hensley (Ridgeway), 81-84--165Sandy Schuler (Newport News), 81-84--165Kelly Sumner (Callao), 83-84--167Natalie Easterly (Charlottesville), 88-80--168Karen Kinnett (Shepherdstown, W.Va.), 87-81--168Sherry Bowman (Manassas), 82-86--168Mimi Hoffman (Springfield), 88-81--169Dot Bolling (Salem), 88-81--169Sophia Montenegro (Oakton), 85-85--170Michaela Conway (Chester), 83-87--170Maria Stewart (Newport News), 86-86--172Margaret McGehee (Richmond), 86-86--172Tensley Clowser (Lancaster), 81-91--172Mary Barbero (Fairfax Station), 89-84--173Shelby Shote (Potomac Falls), 89-86--175Virginia Wells (Williamsburg), 85-90--175Kelly Hill (Burke), 93-85--178Brenda Logue (Richmond), 90-88--178Heather Felty (Richmond), 93-88--181Cindy Hollingshead (Manakin-Sabot), 89-94--183Martina Schumacher (Midlothian), WD
RICHMOND -- Groupings and starting times for the final round of the 34th Virginias Women's Stroke Play Championship at Willow Oaks Country Club (5,671 yards from the championship tees and 5,183 yards from the secondary set of tees par 36-36--72) on Thursday, June 16.