Anna Gleixner picked up first career win
(Indiana Golf Association Photo)
TERRE HAUTE, IN (June 30, 2016) -- Heading into the final round of the 94th Indiana Women’s Amateur Championship, Anna Gleixner of Greenwood trailed by three. Gleixner began the day at even par, three shots behind defending champion Julia Potter, Indianapolis.
As the day progressed, Gleixner continued to make birdies and slowly closed the gap. The recent college grad posted a 1-under-par on her opening nine holes today, and was tied with Potter heading to the back nine.
“At that point I was just trying to keep it going,” Gleixner said. “I knew I couldn’t control what Julia did, but my goal was to make a few birdies coming down the home stretch.”
The par-5, 12th was a true turning point, after an errant second shot by Potter, resulting in a bogey. Gleixner hit the green in two and sunk a 40-foot putt for eagle to grab a two shot lead.
Heading to 13 with momentum, Gleixner and Potter both hit their tee shots left landing in the greenside bunker. Potter pitched out and 2-putted for bogey while Gleixner's second shot flew the green and nessled up against a tree. She chipped out and saved double bogey.
“After I doubled 13, I had to calm myself down and take a breather,” Gleixner said. “I reminded myself that I was still okay.”
From that hole forward, Gleixner never relinquished her lead. She sealed Potter’s fate with a birdie on the par-4, 17th, followed by a birdie on the par-5, 18th for a 54-hole total of 3-under-par, 213 and a three-shot victory.
“I am so excited to win this event,” Gleixner said. “This has definitely been one that I wanted to win for a while now, and it feels great.”
Gleixner is currently applying to graduate school to become a Physician’s Assistant and says this is her last summer of competitive golf.
“It is great to end my career with a win like this,” Gleixner said. “I look forward to the Open in a few weeks.”
Although disappointed with her finish today, Potter had a tremendous week. The four-time Women’s Amateur Champion finished the event at even par, 216.
“Anna played amazing and I knew it would be hard to gain strokes on her late in the round,” Potter said. “It is incredible to get your first Amateur win and even better to get it on such a great golf course.”
Potter will also compete in the Indiana PGA Women’s Open this July.
Rachel Welker of Terre Haute, and Kelly Grassel of Chesterton, finished in a tie for third at 5-over-par, 221. 14 year-old Jocelyn Bruch of Westfield finished fifth at 6-over-par.
“I am happy with how I played this week,” Bruch said. “This was my first Women’s Am and I definitely hope to win one in the future.”
Other Flight Winners Included: First Flight: Elyse Stasil, Chesterton, Second Flight: Betsy Werner, Martinsville, Third Flight: Emily Harvey, Crown Point, Fourth Flight: Sasha Glickfield, Marion, and Fifth Flight: Alexandria Maris, Terre Haute.
View results for Indiana Women's State Amateur
ABOUT THE
Indiana Women's State Amateur
54 Hole, Stroke Play Event. Field flighted after 36
holes. This tournament is open to female Indiana
residents who are affiliated with an IWGA Member
Club and who possess an IGA-PGA Handicap index of
29.9 or less.
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