Blog 201, 5/14/12 - Gebhardt Misses Out on US Women's Open Qualification at Bellingham GCC

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Gebhardt, in her cool Jofit duds, tees off at the 1st.
Jessi Gebhardt will not be heading to Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis. in July for her second consecutive US Women's Open appearance, following a disappointing performance in qualifying at Bellingham GCC Monday. Twelve months ago, she won the sectional qualifier at Royal Oaks CC in Vancouver, Wash. but on a gorgeous day with temperatures in the high 70s, the Bellingham native shot nine-over 153 in today's 36-hole event in which 43 lady golfers were competing for just two spots in the Open field.
The openings may have been few, but Gebhardt, a member of the Symetra Tour, must surely have ranked among the favorites to progress having gained so much experience during her nearly four years as a professional.
And after a promising first-round 74 that included a fine inward 34 with three birdies, Gebhardt was tied for ninth, just three out of the lead held by Emma Talley of Princeton Ky., and Lisa Ferrero of Lodi, Calif.
"I played pretty well in the morning and was in a good position heading into the afternoon round," said Gebhardt. "But I just couldn't make any more birdies." Gebhardt tired as the round went on, finally dropping four shots in the final four holes. "I don't know why because I usually have no problem playing 36 in a day," she said. "But I was feeling a little tired on the back nine."
True to form though, Gebhardt certainly didn't look too downhearted after signing for a second-round 79 which saw her drop into a tie for 14th. "I would like to have played better obviously, but I'm very excited by how well I hit the ball," she said stressing that she still regards golf more as a game than a job.
Tomorrow she tees it up in the two-day CN Canadian Women's Tour event at Richmond CC expecting, as ever, to play well. "I don't think I've been getting the results my hard work has deserved yet, but I feel the things I've been working on are falling into place," she says. "I know I've just got to let myself play the way I know I can. I'm confident I can win this year."

Bellingham's (and WWU's) Claire Rachor and Sophie Elstrott were also in the field as was fellow Viking Alexandria Taylor from Sammamish who finished tied for twelfth on 152. Rachor finished tied for 22nd on 160, and Elstrott was T26 a shot further behind.
Sue Kim of Langley BC., and Emma Talley were joint medallists on two-under 142 and thus secured their spots in the field for Blackwolf Run July 5-8. Kim shot the round of the day, an afternoon five-under 67. On 143, Lisa Ferrero claimed the first alternate spot, while Kim Welch of Roseville, Calif. defeated Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash. on the first playoff hole to secure the second alternate spot.

Scores - US Women's Open Qualifier, Bellingham GCC, 5/14/12
Sue Kim, Langley, BC, 75-67--142
Emma Talley, Princeton, Ky., 71-71--142
Lisa Ferrero, Lodi, Calif., 71-72--143
Kim Welch, Roseville, Calif., 73-71--144
Soobin Kim, Seattle, Wash., 73-71--144
Erynne Lee, Silverdale, Wash., 73-71--144
Allison Hanna, Clackamas, Ore., 73-72--145
Kendall Dye, Phoenix, Ariz., 73-73--146
Catherina Li, Kent, Wash., 75-72--147
Amy Simanton, Lake Oswego, Ore., 73-77--150
Kyle Roig, Pembroke Pines, Fla., 74-77--151
Alexandria Taylor, Sammamish, Wash., 75-77--152
Amy Eneroth, Colbert, Wash., 79-73--152
Jessi Gebhardt, Chandler, Ariz., 74-79--153
Christina Proteau, Port Alberni, BC, 79-74--153
Marianne Li, Bellevue, Wash., 77-79--156
Simone Strauss, Kirkland, Wash., 81-76--157
Britney Yada, Portland, Ore., 81-76--157
Karinn Dickinson, Mukitleo, Wash., 76-82--158
Cherokee Kim, Dupont, Wash., 79-79--158
Caitlin McCleary, The Dalles, Ore., 78-81--159
Melissa Mabanta, Henderson, Nev., 79-81--160
Kaitlen Parsons, Greenacres, Wash., 79-81--160
Claire Rachor, Bellingham, Wash., 84-76--160
Kaley In, Bakersfield, Calif., 78-82--160
Sophie Elstrott, Bellingham, Wash., 79-82--161
Tiffany Schoning, Portland, Ore., 79-83--162
Katie Lee, Silverdale, Wash., 80-82--162
Alexus Song, Auburn, Wash., 77-85--162
Courtney Erdman, Arcadia, Calif., 81-82--163
Angel Sze, San Marino, Calif., 83-80--163
Szu-Hsuan Huang, Seattle, Wash., 81-82--163
Bree Sharratt, Victoria, BC, 85-79--164
Grace Chua, White Rock, BC, 83-81--164
Jennifer Greggain, Rosedale, BC, 84-80--164
Brittany Tallman, Issaquah, Wash., 82-83--165
Genavive Dodge, Spokane, Wash., 86-80--166
Gloria Usu Choi, Langley, BC, 83-84--167
Minhee Park, Richland, Wash., 85-83--168
Annie Songeun Lee, Surrey, BC, 86-84--170
Jill Hardy, Winnipeg, MB, 85-85--170
Ashley Edwards, Oakley, Calif., 81-WD—WD
Cathy Kim, Bellevue, Wash., WD
Taylor Babcock, Lake Oswego, Ore., WD
Jordan Ferreira, University Place, Wash., WD
Stacey Blunt, Federal Way, Wash., WD
Trish Gibbens, Caldwell, Idaho, WD
Marissa Hinchman, Lodi, Calif., WD

 



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